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There Are Several Great Reasons To Consider Buying A Condo Today

April 14, 2022 by James Scott

There Are Several Great Reasons To Consider Buying A Condo TodayMany would-be homebuyers are now considering buying a condominium instead. Condominiums may be a good option for first-time buyers who are experiencing obstacles when searching for properties that meet their budgets and other criteria. Here’s why:

Condos Might Offer More Budget-Friendly Options

In today’s housing market, supply constraints are a fact of life. Including condominiums in a home search might expand the pool of alternatives. Remember, condos are often less expensive because they have less room—the owner won’t have their own garden, for example—and the overall square footage is typically less than that of a single-family house. Still, if budget is the obstacle, condos could be the solution.

Condos Let Buyers Get Their Feet In The Door

Purchasing a condo is a terrific way to get a foot in the door and begin accumulating equity for a future move up. The sooner the purchase, the more equity can be gained. The condo that is purchased now may not be an everlasting home, but it might serve as a terrific stepping stone toward an ideal house purchase.

Determine If Living In A Condo Suits The Desired Lifestyle

Owning and living in a condo is a lifestyle decision that is right for some but wrong for others. While condominiums are smaller than single-family houses, the features they offer may be a selling point for many purchasers. With less room in the condo, owners typically have less day-to-day care, lower maintenance bills, and more time to spend with family and on leisure and recreation activities.

For instance, if a person dislikes lawn maintenance tasks such as mowing the grass and trimming the hedges, condo living might be ideal. Even spending time power cleaning a driveway is unnecessary, as is spending money on renting or buying a power washer that also needs to be maintained.

Condominiums are a terrific alternative for many consumers, particularly first-time homebuyers who match the profile of ideal condo dwellers. If you’re willing to look at condominiums in your search, you might be able to discover something that fits your budget and needs. To learn more, contact a reputable real estate agent in the area who is familiar with the condo-buying market and process.

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: Condo, New Home, Real Estate

The Top Issues Homeowners Cannot Ignore

April 13, 2022 by James Scott

The Top Issues Homeowners Cannot IgnoreOwning a home can be a major investment, but it is also a significant responsibility. From time to time, issues can pop up, and it is important that homeowners do not to ignore them. Ignoring these issues can lead to significant repair bills down the road. What are some of the top issues that homeowners should not ignore?

1. Mold

Mold is a sign that the humidity level in the home is off or that there is standing water present somewhere. Mold thrives in warm, moist conditions. If homeowners do not address mold as quickly as possible, it will proliferate throughout the house, damaging the structure. Mold can also lead to significant health concerns, particularly for people who suffer from chronic respiratory conditions. 

2. A Warped Floor

If there is a warped floor present, it needs to be investigated quickly. A floor begins to warp when there is water trapped underneath it. Water damages the integrity of the floorboards, causing them to bend and buckle. The problem will get worse if the water source is not identified and rectified. Homeowners need to fix this as quickly as possible. 

3. Missing Roof Shingles

The roof is responsible for protecting the rest of the home from precipitation. If there are any shingles that are damaged or missing, they will not do their jobs. Water can get in through this area, spread throughout the rest of the roof, and lead to major damage. Homeowners need to get the roof inspected to identify and fix missing shingles.

4. Unusual Noises From The HVAC 

If there are unusual noises coming from the HVAC, it could be a sign of a tremendous amount of stress on the unit itself. This could cause the HVAC unit to burn out quickly, leading to a major bill. When unusual noises are addressed, the HVAC unit can be fixed, extending its lifespan.

Take Care Of The Home

These are a few of the many issues that homeowners should not ignore. If homeowners do not identify these issues and fix them as quickly as possible, they will simply become more expensive and cumbersome down the road. These signs need to be addressed by a major professional, and many of them can be avoided with routine maintenance. 

 

Filed Under: Home Care Tips Tagged With: Home Improvement, HVAC, Mold

Does Your Homeowner’s Insurance Policy Cover Storm Damage?

April 12, 2022 by James Scott

Does Your Homeowner's Insurance Policy Cover Storm Damage?If you own a home, you must make sure it is properly protected. Hazards can change throughout the year, and one of the biggest threats during the spring is the arrival of frequent thunderstorms. If your home is damaged by a severe storm, it might be covered by your homeowner’s insurance policy. You need to take a closer look at your policy to see if you have the right coverage.

An Overview Of Home Insurance

An insurance policy is supposed to protect you against potentially severe financial consequences. For example, if your home is damaged, the repair bills could be tens of thousands of dollars. If you have home insurance, your policy may pay for this type of damage.

The right insurance policy can repair damage to your roof, fix your walls, and even replace the furniture that might have been damaged. Typically, your home insurance policy will have an initial deductible, which is an out-of-pocket expense. Then, once your deductible has been met, your home insurance policy should cover the rest up to the limit of its coverage. 

Does Home Insurance Cover Storm Damage?

It isn’t unusual for a home insurance policy to cover potential storm damage. At the same time, you need to understand the limitations of your policy and the circumstances under which a claim might be paid out. For example, your home insurance policy might protect your home in the event of a thunderstorm, but it may not protect your home in the event of a flood from a nearby river or lake. You should also make sure you have enough financial coverage in your home insurance policy to repair your home and replace any damaged property. 

How To Check A Home Insurance Policy

Start by reading through your policy to see what is covered in what is not. There might be a lot of jargon in the policy. If you have a difficult time understanding the wording, you should contact your insurance company and speak to a representative. 

You should keep a copy of your home insurance policy in a fire-proof container or safe. This will make it easier for you to refer back to the policy if you have questions later or in the event of an emergency. 

 

Filed Under: Homeowner Tips Tagged With: HOI, Home Ownership, Storm Damage

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 11, 2022

April 11, 2022 by James Scott

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - April 11, 2022Last week’s economic news included remarks given by Federal Reserve Board Governor Lael Brainard and the release of the minutes of the most recent meeting of the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

Federal Reserve Leaders Prepared to Address Inflation

Lael Brainard, a Governor of the Federal Reserve Board, addressed the central bank’s concerns over rapidly rising inflation in her remarks made at a financial conference in Minneapolis, Minnesota. “Currently, inflation is much too high and is subject to upside risks. It is of paramount importance to get inflation down” Ms. Brainard concluded. “The Fed is prepared to take further action if inflation indicators and expectations indicate that such action is warranted.”

Ms. Brainard described the Fed’s strategy for controlling inflation as a series of interest rate increases and rapid reductions to the Fed’s balance sheet that may occur as soon as the Federal Open Market Committee meets in May.

Federal Open Market Committee Meeting Minutes Indicate Plan for Slowing Inflation

Minutes of the March meeting of the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee outlined the Fed’s plans for controlling runaway inflation. The plan is not set in stone yet, but “many” FOMC members were on board with the proposals for reducing the Fed’s portfolio by $95 billion a month after three months and raising the Fed’s key interest rate by 0.25 percent during future FOMC meetings. Committee members originally planned to raise the Fed’s interest rate by 0.50 percent at each meeting but reduced proposed rate hikes to 0.25 percent due to the potential impact of the war in Ukraine.

Mortgage Rates Rise, Jobless Claims Data Mixed

Freddie Mac reported higher mortgage rates last week as the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by five basis points to 4.72 percent; the average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by eight basis points to 3.91 percent. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages rose by six basis points and averaged 3.56 percent. Discount points held steady and averaged 0.80 percent for fixed-rate mortgages and 0.30 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

Fewer new jobless claims were filed last week than in the prior week with 166.000 new claims filed as compared to 171,000 initial claims filed in the previous week. Continuing jobless claims inched up with 1.52 million ongoing jobless claims filed as compared to the previous week’s reading of 1.51 million continuing claims filed.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic news includes multiple readings on monthly and year-over-year inflation and the University of Michigan’s consumer sentiment index. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be published. 

Filed Under: Financial Reports Tagged With: Financial Report, Jobless Claims, Mortgage Rates

Renovating on a Budget? Check Out These Equity-boosting Inexpensive Home Upgrades

April 8, 2022 by James Scott

Renovating on a Budget? Check Out These Equity-boosting Inexpensive Home UpgradesThe idea of embarking on home renovations may strike many homeowners as an expensive one, but there are plenty of ways that you can easily upgrade your home without spending a lot of money. If you’re looking for improvements that will truly (and frugally) improve the value of your home, here are a few do-it-yourself options you may want to consider.

Change The Lighting

There are few small fixes that will improve the look of your home like lighting, so one of the best things you can do for the overall look of your house is change out some of your bulbs. Instead of going for a light that will look dingy or orange, choose a tone that’s not too bright but will still illuminate your rooms and highlight their best features naturally. Much like a coat of paint, the right light can change everything about the way a visitor will view your home.

Consider A Cabinet Makeover

One of the most outdated features in a kitchen is the kitchen cabinets, and it’s also one of the first things that a potential homebuyer will notice when they enter the room. Fortunately, installing new cabinets doesn’t have to be a huge job that involves a lot of time. Instead of getting a floor-to-ceiling makeover and a construction crew, consider upgrading the doors and hinges or picking a new color for a difference that will instantly improve the room.

Pull Out The Paint Brush

Painting may be one of the least popular household tasks because it takes so much time, but outside of lighting, few things will improve the look of your home like a new coat of paint. While it’s important to ensure that you stick with a relatively neutral shade so that it doesn’t overwhelm the viewer, it will easily upgrade the look of your home and hide any unsightly damage to the wall. It’s also a good idea to remember the front door since it’s the first thing homebuyers will notice!

The word ‘renovation’ often makes people see dollar signs, but it doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg to upgrade your home. By adding a new coat of paint or upgrading the lighting, you’ll be well on your way to a more modern look. If you’re currently renovating your home and are hoping to put it on the market soon, contact your trusted real estate professional for more information.

Filed Under: Around The Home Tagged With: Around the Home, Homeowner Tips, Upgrades and Renovations

How Can You Invest in Real Estate?

April 7, 2022 by James Scott

How Can You Invest in Real Estate?Many people believe that investing in real estate is something reserved only for the super-wealthy. In reality, this is not the case. Investing in real estate is a smart idea because property can generate a consistent cash stream while providing significant capital appreciation combined with tax breaks. There are multiple ways to invest in real estate, and no single path is better than the others.

Consider Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)

A real estate investment trust is a low-cost alternative to buying an entire property. Usually shortened to REIT, this is a company that allows investors to pool their money together before the company purchases multiple properties. REITs bring in money by renting, leasing, or selling the properties they own. Instead of individual investors having to purchase properties on their own, they can pool their money with other investors, reducing the barrier to real estate investing. 

Rent Out Residential Properties

When people think about real estate investing, this is usually the first thing that comes to mind. You can purchase a residential property and rent it out to people. This generates recurring income that can cover overhead expenses tied to the house, such as the mortgage. Then, as the property goes up in value, you build wealth. You can decide to rent the property out for short-term stays, which is a popular option with a vacation home on the lake or the beach. Or, you can have long-term renters if you want more income security.

Think About Flipping Houses

If you have ever watched a TV show about houses, you have probably run into flippers. This is the practice of purchasing a distressed property, fixing it up, and then selling it for a significant profit. If done correctly, you can make a lot of money with a much shorter time horizon; however, this requires a lot more time and effort, as you will need to coordinate a lot of contractors to fix the property and list it in a reasonable time frame. 

Consider Investing in Real Estate

These are just a few of the many ways you can invest in real estate. Think about the benefits and drawbacks of each option, and decide which is best for you. 

 

Filed Under: Real Estate Tagged With: Investing, Real Estate, Real Estate Finance Tips

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