Jan 17
️ Check out these four steps for a hassle-free tax season! With the help of myself and John Coneys of RoundPoint Mortgage, (NMLS# 183853 – 610.322.4886) we can explore homebuying options to help you meet your goals. #RealEstate #Realtor #HomePurchase #BuyersMarket #PlymouthMeetingRP
Jan 13
Kitchen Trends to Watch Renovating a kitchen has become popular with many homeowners looking to spice up the look of their space. As they take on projects, they’re showing more interest in splurging on finishes and materials to get the high-end look they want, according to a new study from Houzz. Countertops are one area …
Jan 12
Rising Rates Pressure Buyers House hunters are watching mortgage rates closely. After all, every increase could have an impact on affordability, particularly given escalating home prices. Nearly half—47%—of home buyers recently surveyed say they would feel more pressure to buy a home if mortgage rates passed 3.5%, according to a new consumer survey conducted by …
Jan 12
Markets for First-Time Buyers What makes for a great market for first-time buyers? Areas that have strong job markets, short commute times, affordability, high inventories of homes for sale, and a population that skews younger, according to realtor.com®’s newly released Best Markets for First-Time Homebuyers Report. “Buying a first home is always a challenging undertaking, …
Jan 11
Credit Bureaus Fail to Fix Errors in Consumer Profiles The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau released a new analysis that accuses the three major credit bureaus—Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion—of routinely failing to fully respond to consumers who have found errors on their credit reports. The three credit bureaus reported fixing less than 2% of complaints in …
Jan 11
Mortgage Rates Higher Than at Any Point in 2021 Mortgage rates have taken a big leap at the start of the new year. In the first week of 2022, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped nearly 60 basis points higher than a year earlier, averaging 3.22% this week, Freddie Mac reports. “Mortgage rates increased during …
Jan 10
Sellers Unprepared for Photo Shoots Most home buyers shop for homes online and judge properties by the photographs before deciding whether to visit the properties in person. Yet, many home sellers don’t make much effort to prepare for the photo shoot, according to a new study. More than half of 310 professional real estate …
Jan 10
FHFA Raises Fees on High-Balance Second-Home Loans The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced it would be increasing upfront fees on second-home mortgages and on mortgages that finance homes with balances that exceed standard conforming loan limits. The fees are expected to increase the purchase cost of second homes and homes in high-cost areas. The …
Jan 05
Moving Companies Struggle to Keep Up Seventy-one percent of moving companies reported delays in 2021, blaming high demand and a labor shortage, according to a new survey of 63 moving firms conducted by moveBuddha, a moving company resource. Buyers planning a move will want to plan ahead. Nearly half of companies are booked out at …
Jan 05
Higher Mortgage Loan Limits Take Effect Conforming loan limits for mortgages backed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have jumped in most of the country to $647,200, an increase of $98,950 from 2021’s limit of $548,250. The higher levels are in response to rising home prices over the past year. The new loan limits …
Jan 04
Year-End Mortgage Rates at 3.11% Mortgage rates stayed low for the final week of 2021, but housing analysts largely predict rates will be heading up in the coming weeks. “Mortgage rates have been effectively been moving sideways despite the increase in new COVID cases,” says Sam Khater, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “This is because …
Jan 04
Where Did People Move to in 2021? Long-distance, state-to-state moves saw an increase this year, according to new U.S. Census Bureau data. Some states came out clear winners as they gained more new residents over the year. MoveBuddha analyzed more than 400,000 relocation queries in 2021 to compile its 2021–2022 moving migration report to …
