Feb 17
Modified Loans Re-defaulting at Faster Rates Loans that have been modified since 2014 are re-defaulting at faster rates than those that were modified in prior years, according to a new report. Seventy-five percent of the loans that re-defaulted did so within the first two years after receiving a loan modification, according to analysis of Fannie …
Feb 16
Gap Grows Between Owners and Appraisers The disconnect between homeowner estimates and appraiser opinions when it comes to home values grew for the second consecutive month, according to Quicken Loans’ National Home Price Perception Index. The average appraisal value was 1.47 percent below what owners expected in January. The shift comes after a six-month stretch where …
Feb 15
Luxury Owners Rethink How They Use Space Some luxury owners are scaling back the number of bedrooms in a home to leave more space for hobby rooms and other amenities that can raise the property’s value, The Wall Street Journal reports. But some real estate experts warn that fewer bedrooms could turn into …
Feb 14
Don’t Underestimate Power of Pets Pets are having more of an influence in home buying and selling as well as renovation, a new study by the National Association of REALTORS® shows. Eighty-one percent of Americans say that animal-related considerations play a role when deciding on their next living situation, according to the 2017 Animal House: Remodeling …
Feb 13
Here Come 59 Million Buyers! One in four U.S. adults say they are considering buying a home this year, which extrapolates to a whopping 59 million people, according to a recent survey by Bankrate.com. Minorities are expected to be big buyers this year. More than two in five black survey respondents said they were considering …
Feb 10
Consumers More Optimistic About Housing More Americans are showing optimism toward their personal finances and the housing market, a reversal to a five-month decline. In particular, Americans are more upbeat about home prices, home selling, their rising household incomes, and they’re less scared about losing their jobs, according to Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment …
Feb 09
From Boom to Bust? Farmlands Are In Trouble Many farmers are facing higher debt as a multiyear drop in prices for corn, wheat, and other commodities plagues on. That is pushing more farmers out of business. The Farm Belt will soon have fewer than 2 million farms, the lowest in years. Still, economists aren’t …
Feb 08
Top Landscaping Trends for 2017 Smart technology, thoughtful — yet simplistic — design, and sustainability are the keywords when it comes to landscapes today. “Savvy homeowners are seeking smart landscape solutions, which means we’re finding new ways to adapt to environmental elements, making continued advances in technology and taking outdoor living to the next level,” …
Feb 07
Give Second Thought to the TV Home Makeover Some homeowners who sign up to have their homes redecorated and remodeled on a reality TV are having regrets. They say they got stuck paying thousands of dollars later on due to the TV renovations. Attorneys warn: You have to read the fine print before agreeing …
Feb 06
Buy a Home With No Monthly Payments? Reverse mortgages for purchases have been around a while but they stand to see more use as younger baby boomers hit retirement age. The mortgages are backed by FHA and they let households buy a home without having to make monthly mortgage payments. Instead, buyers put up a …
Feb 03
Saving for a Down Payment? This is How Long It Will Take.. Depending on where you live, saving for a down payment can take several years of financial planning. For example, in some markets, it may take the average person nearly a decade to save enough to buy a home. In California, that especially …
Feb 02
Safety Checklist for Moving Into a New Home Your clients have a lot to think about on moving day, but it’s important that they have more than just organizing and unpacking on their to-do list, according to The Red Cross. The group recently featured several items home buyers should think about when settling in …
