Tag: News
Dec 29
Higher Loan Limits Coming Jan. 1
Higher Loan Limits Coming Jan. 1 Real estate professionals have some good news to share with their clients. On Jan. 1, buyers will be able to get much larger mortgages, whether they’re applying for conventional or FHA-backed loans. Each year, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac adjust their limits for conventional, conforming loans based on changes …
Dec 22
No Chill on Showing Traffic in November
No Chill on Showing Traffic in November Counter to seasonal trends, demand for home showings posted a strong increase in November amid steady consumer confidence and low unemployment, according to the ShowingTime Showing Index, which measures buyer demand based on showing appointments. The index showed an 8 percent year-over-year rise in November. “Although the residential …
Dec 21
What Buyers Will Give Up for Walkability
What Buyers Will Give Up for Walkability Living in areas that are close to shops and restaurants is becoming increasingly attractive for both young and older generations, according to the 2017 National Community and Transportation Preference Survey conducted by American Strategies and Meyers Research on behalf of the National Association of REALTORS®. Researchers polled 3,000 …
Dec 20
Surprising Cities for Retirement
Surprising Cities for Retirement Pittsburgh, Boston, and Los Angeles may be surprising cities to top the list of best places for retirees. But a new study by Bankrate.com says the numbers show that these nontraditional retiree havens may make a perfect spot for retirement. Bankrate.com scored the 50 largest metros on factors like health care quality; …
Dec 19
Consumers Have Doubts Despite Strong Economy
Consumers Have Doubts Despite Strong Economy More households are feeling the strain in their personal financial situations and losing confidence in the housing market, even as the country sees solid job growth and record gains in the stock market, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ fourth-quarter Housing Opportunities and Market Experience (HOME) survey, …
Dec 18
Ways to ‘Fireproof’ a House
Ways to ‘Fireproof’ a House More than 1,000 structures and 260,000 acres across Southern California have been charred since massive wildfires broke out earlier this month. With the blazes still threatening 25,000 more homes, is there anything homeowners can do to protect their houses from a fire? You may not be able to fireproof a …
Dec 14
44% of Retirees Still Have a Mortgage
44% of Retirees Still Have a Mortgage Many retirees are worried if they’ll ever be able to pay off their mortgage. Forty-four percent of 60- to 70-year-old retirees have a mortgage in retirement, according to American Financing’s 2017 Retirement and Mortgages Survey. Thirty-two percent predict it will take still take them more than eight years …
Dec 13
Festive Cities for Holiday Lovers
Festive Cities for Holiday Lovers For those who are full of the holiday spirit, they may find their fa-la-la-la’s in these cities. “For a city to be really attractive for the holidays, it needs to offer something for everyone—from kids to the grandparents,” says Kirsten Maxwell, founder of kidsareatrip.com, a family activities website. Realtor.com®’s research team sifted through …
Dec 12
FHA to Increase Loan Limits in 2018
FHA to Increase Loan Limits in 2018 Following on the heels of the Federal Housing Finance Agency, the Federal Housing Administration announced that it will increase its loan limits in most areas of the country in 2018. The FHFA had announced new limits for loans eligible for purchase or guarantee by Fannie Mae and Freddie …
Dec 11
Reasons December Is Favorable for Buyers
Reasons December Is Favorable for Buyers Many home shoppers don’t think about purchasing a house during the holiday months—many even put their home search on hold. But Desare Kohn-Laski, broker-owner of Skye Louis Realty in Coconut Creek, Fla., offers some points to pass on to your clients, letting them know this is one of the …
Dec 08
Hardwood Flooring Is Top Preference
Hardwood Flooring Is Top Preference Hardwood flooring is dominating the main living areas of new homes, and engineered hardwood has been particularly catching on over the past decades, according to the latest surveys from Home Innovation Research Labs. Engineered hardwood floors are made up of layers: the top and bottom layers are natural wood, but …
