Flood Insurance Extension Congress is expected to extend the National Flood Insurance Program before it expires Sept. 30, but less clear is when Congress will turn to meaningful program reforms the National Association of REALTORS® and other housing groups have advocated for years. Outdated federal flood maps—some of which haven’t been updated in more than …
Category: News
Sep 17
Master Bedroom – Don’ts
Master Bedroom – Don’ts A master bedroom is meant to be a peaceful place to relax and recharge. That’s why designers say a lot of attention needs to go into its look: to make sure it fulfills that purpose. Design experts also say an uninviting master retreat could negatively affect resale value, so there’s more …
Sep 12
Removal of DTI Requirement
Removal of DTI Requirement Four bank giants have united to form a coalition to urge the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to change its Ability to Repay/Qualified Mortgage rule and eliminate the debt-to-income ratio requirement. Bank of America, Quicken Loans, Wells Fargo, and Caliber Home Loans are leading the calls for a change. The Ability to …
Sep 11
Now may be your best time to buy or refinance
Now may be your best time to buy or refinance Mortgage interest rates have dropped, but there’s no guarantee they will stay that way. If you’re thinking of buying a home, now may be the perfect time to act! If you already own your home and you’ve been putting off repairs, a remodel, paying off …
Sep 10
Homeownership Makes People Happier
Homeownership Makes People Happier Most Americans have no regrets about buying a home. In fact, it’s made them happier, a new survey shows. Ninety-three percent of Americans say they are happier after buying a home, and 83% would never go back to renting, according to Bank of America’s latest Homebuyer Insights Report, based on a …
Sep 09
Newest Fannie, Freddie Reform Proposal
Newest Fannie, Freddie Reform Proposal The National Association of REALTORS® and other real estate groups commended the White House’s efforts to move the ball forward on reform of the nation’s housing finance system. Proposals released by the Department of Housing & Urban Development and the Treasury Department on Thursday suggest steps for modernizing FHA and …
Sep 06
Fall Landscaping Trends
Fall Landscaping Trends A newer color palette with jewel tones is taking hold in landscaping, and it’s among the hotter trends for this fall, according to the National Association of Landscape Professionals. Seventy-seven percent of Americans report relaxing in their yards at least once a month, according to a survey from Engine’s Caravan, conducted on …
Sep 05
What is Debt to Income Ratio
What is Debt to Income Ratio Calculating your debt to income ratio is one of the simplest ways to get a handle on your current financial health. DTI is the percentage of your monthly income that goes towards debt payments. Lenders look at your DTI when they are considering your ability to pay back …
Sep 04
Lighting Mistakes to Avoid
Lighting Mistakes to Avoid Good lighting can enhance the look of a space. Houzz.com contributor David Warfel, a lighting design specialist, recently shared the common mistakes he sees with interior home lighting in an article on the home remodeling website. Problems he sees the most often include: Too many lights shining downwards in the kitchen Warfel …
Sep 03
Mortgage Rates Up Slightly
Mortgage Rates Up Slightly The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage inched up this week, but still remains well below averages from a year ago. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage closed the month of August by averaging 3.6%, nearly a full percent lower than a year ago, Freddie Mac notes. “Low mortgage rates along with a strong labor market …
Aug 30
Home Recession Possibility
Home Recession Possibility More than half of potential home shoppers say they’ll put their home search on hold if another economic downturn strikes, according to a newly released survey from realtor.com®. Although buyers are optimistic that it will be more mild than the Great Recession in 2008, they still say it would make them more hesitant …
Aug 29
Good Single-Family Rental
Good Single-Family Rental The share of single-family rentals is growing, and more builders are jumping in to build a home that can be rented out from the get-go. But how are single-family rental homes different than your typical single-family home? Single-family built-for-rent homes tend to be smaller than their for-sale counterparts. The median square …
