What you need to know about closing costs What are closing costs? Closing costs are the fees associated with your mortgage loan application and real estate transaction. They can be incurred by either the buyer, seller or both and are paid at closing. What types of fees are included? Fees may include but are not …
Category: News
Oct 01
Smart Bathrooms all the rage
Smart Bathrooms all the rage Smart bathrooms are getting more technological. Many homeowners say they desire to play music in the bathroom, and they’re adding in voice assistants like Amazon’s Alexa and Google Home to make it easier to do so, new research from the National Kitchen & Bath Association shows. “Bringing voice control into …
Sep 30
National Flood Insurance
National Flood Insurance Don’t expect a lapse—not yet anyway—in the National Flood Insurance Program, the country’s largest flood insurer. The program has been set to expire on Sept. 30, but the U.S. Senate recently passed an extension that would keep the program afloat until Nov. 21. The House had previously passed the extension. The bill is …
Sep 27
Rising Number of Contract Signings
Rising Number of Contract Signings All four major regions of the U.S. posted growth in sales contract activity last month, led by the West, the National Association of REALTORS® reported Thursday. NAR’s Pending Home Sales Index—a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings—rose 1.6% last month, erasing last month’s decrease. Contract signings are now up 2.5% …
Sep 26
Top Earners Struggle With Housing Costs
Top Earners Struggle With Housing Costs Computer technology, engineering, and legal jobs are among the highest-paying in the nation. You’d think workers in these sectors wouldn’t have trouble affording a home—but that’s not always the case, according to a new LendingTree analysis. The company ranked the nation’s 50 largest metros based on how affordable homes …
Sep 25
Is it time you had a mortgage checkup?
Is it time you had a mortgage checkup? Find out if your mortgage is contributing to your financial health. Having regular checkups by a doctor is a critical step to ensuring good health. The same holds true for one of your most important financial investments: your mortgage. A periodic review of your mortgage can help …
Sep 24
Home Offices are in High Demand
Home Offices are in High Demand More people are working from home, and that is having a big effect on their real estate needs, The New York Times reports. About 24% of employed people in the U.S. worked at least part of the time at home last year, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor …
Sep 23
Home Sales Up for Second Consecutive Month
Home Sales Up for Second Consecutive Month Existing-home sales rose in August, marking two consecutive months of gains, even as a limited number of homes for sale remains a pressing issue on the market, the National Association of REALTORS® reported Thursday. Three of the four major regions of the U.S. saw an uptick last month, …
Sep 20
More New Homes
More New Homes Housing starts posted “healthy gains” in recent weeks as homebuilders feel more confident about the new-home market, the National Association of Home Builders reports. Led by an increase in multifamily production, total housing starts surged 12.3% in August, reaching a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.36 million units, the Commerce Department reported Wednesday. …
Sep 20
Home Flips Are Decreasing
Home Flips Are Decreasing Fewer homes were flipped by investors in the second quarter compared with the same quarter one year ago as profits grew smaller, according to ATTOM Data Solutions’ 2019 U.S. Home Flipping Report. Homes flipped in the second quarter were down 5.2% from a year ago. Overall, home flips in the second quarter comprised …
Sep 19
Debt Anxiety
Debt Anxiety Americans are getting anxious about their debt. About one-third—34%—of Americans’ monthly income goes toward paying off debt. It’s no wonder 45% of Americans say debt makes them feel anxious on at least a monthly basis, according to the latest findings from the Northwestern Mutual’s 2019 Planning & Progress Study, based on a survey …
Sep 19
Buy now or wait for a deal?
Buy now or wait for a deal? Are you a millennial watching your friends and family thrive on the current real estate market? Today’s rates are historically low so why wait to buy your dream starter home? Contact John Coneys of Freedom Mortgage, (NMLS# 183853 – 610.322.4886) and I to discuss your financial options! #RealEstate …
