Lori Blank & Associates

08

Feb

Real Estate

What To Know Before Investing In A New Property

Anyone looking to diversify their investments should consider investing in real estate. Because the value of property generally increases over time, this is a great way to use money to make money. Even though purchasing a house may provide a greater return than leaving that money in a savings account, purchasing property is still a major decision. Everyone has to take their time to evaluate each option carefully before purchasing an investment property. The Time Required Owning an investment property is not easy, and it requires a significant amount of time. Potential real estate investors need to evaluate the local…

07

Feb

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 7, 2022

Last week’s economic reports included readings on construction spending and labor-related reports on jobs and the national unemployment rate. Weekly data on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. Residential Con The Commerce Department reported overall construction spending rose by 1.30 percent in January, which was the largest increase since April of last year. Private residential construction spending fell by 0.30 percent in January; this was the sixth consecutive month for declining private-sector residential construction spending. Construction Spending Falls in January Analysts cited costly building materials, fewer available options for prospective buyers, and higher mortgage rates as factors contributing…

04

Feb

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

Where To Squeeze A Home Office In Your Home

If you have started working from home, whether you are a freelancer or running a business, having a home office in your home is very important. It is a place where you can separate your home life and work, so that you can get "in the zone" and concentrate on the important work tasks that you need to complete. But where should you place your home office? If you have a spare bedroom in your home, the answer is easy - but what if you don't have this extra space? Is it possible to squeeze a home office into an…

03

Feb

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

An Overview Of Electronic And Smart Locks

Almost everyone has been locked out of their home before. If you do not have a hidden key or someone else with a key, it can be stressful to wait for a locksmith to come and open the door. Fortunately, there are ways homeowners can address this issue, and one of the options is to get a smart lock or an electronic lock instead. How Smart Locks And Electronic Locks Work Every smart lock is different; however, they have a few themes. Basic electronic locks have a combination that someone has to enter before the door unlocks. Other electronic locks…

02

Feb

By Lori Blank

Real Estate Tips

7 Quick And Inexpensive Ways You Can Improve Your Home’s Curb Appeal

We have all heard the saying, "You never get a second chance for a first impression?" If you are selling your home, it is important to appreciate the significance a first impression has on your potential buyer. When buyers drive up to your property and take their first look at your home, they will instantly be forming ideas about your house and how it might fit for their family. When you are trying to entice a buyer to make an offer on your house, you must consider the curb appeal - how your house looks from the outside, or while…

01

Feb

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

3 Considerations When Making A Down Payment

One of the challenges you will face when deciding how much money to put down on your new home is whether to put down a larger down payment or to take a bit of money from your down payment and use it to pay "discount points" to lower your interest rate. There are pros and cons to doing both and each borrower's situation will be different so it's important to understand which option is best for your individual need. Some Factors You Should Consider Include: Cost Of Borrowing - generally speaking, to lower your interest rate will mean you pay a…

31

Jan

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 31, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings from S&P Case Shiller Home Price Indices and the FHFA on home prices, data on new home sales, and the Federal Reserve’s statement on the federal interest rate range. The University of Michigan released its monthly survey on Consumer Sentiment and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Home Price Growth Slows in November Home prices rose at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 18.80 percent in November according to S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index. The 20-City Home Price Index, which is frequently used by…

28

Jan

By Lori Blank

Financial Reports

Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in November

S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices reported slower home price growth in November. Rising mortgage rates and high home prices sidelined first-time and moderate-income buyers and investors who fear buying at the peak of today’s housing markets only to face lower home values when home prices cool off. November’s National Home Price Index reported a year-over-year gain of 18.80 percent in home prices year-over-year. The 20-City Home Price Index, which, real estate pros frequently use to estimate home pricing trends, reported that U.S. home prices rose 18.30 percent year-over-year in November. 20-City Home Price Index: Arizona and Florida Post Top Gains…

27

Jan

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

Owning A Home Can Contribute To A Retirement Portfolio

Many people dream of retiring one day, and there are numerous assets that contribute to that retirement goal. Social security, pension plans, and savings accounts have traditionally provided assets people use to enjoy their retirement; however, this traditional plan ignores one of the most valuable assets. Owning a home can contribute significantly to someone's retirement goals; however, it is important to have a firm plan in place to make those retirement dreams come true. There are several ways a home can play an important role in that plan. The Value Of A House Traditionally Increases Over Time Many people who…

26

Jan

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

What Are The Advantages Of Owning A Multifamily Property?

It is important for everyone to diversify their investments. One of the ways to do so is to invest in real estate. There are numerous types of properties, and one of the most attractive options is a multifamily property. Even though it might seem like a challenge to manage such a large property, there are several benefits of multifamily properties everyone should keep in mind. Hiring A Property Manager One of the first advantages of purchasing a multifamily property is the potential to hire a property manager. With more families living in the building, it might be worth it to…