Last week’s economic reporting included readings from the National Association of Home Builders on housing markets, reports on sales of previously owned homes, housing starts, and building permits issued. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.
NAHB: Rising Materials Costs, Supply Chain Problems Weigh on Builders
The National Association of Home Builders’ February housing market index reading was 82 and one point lower than in January. This was the second consecutive month that builder confidence dropped by one point. Homebuilder confidence in … [Read More...]
A fire can rage through your home at a moment's notice, and it can cause a significant amount of damage in a very short period of time. Damage from the flames, intense heat, smoke and soot can cause tens of thousands of dollars or more in some cases, and a severe fire event can result in a total loss for the homeowner. More than that, a fire can create a serious health and safety risk for you and your loved ones inside the home. If you are concerned about how safe your home is from a fire, consider a few important points. Do You Have Fire Extinguishers On All Floors? When a small fire breaks … [Read More...]
The vast majority of people will need to go through a mortgage lender when purchasing a home. One of the last steps in the purchase process is the home appraisal. The lender wants to make sure they are not lending more money than the house is worth. If the appraisal value comes in above what the buyer is paying, then the buyer is happy because they might be getting a great deal. On the other hand, if the appraisal comes in below what the buyer is paying, this can be frustrating. What is the appraisal gap, and how does it work? Buyers Might Be Asked To Bring More Cash Or Pay PMI In many … [Read More...]
Many people rely on Airbnb to go on vacation because this website often makes booking easier, affords more flexibility, and is frequently cheaper when compared to a hotel. Therefore, some real estate investors rely on Airbnb as an investment strategy. At the same time, this is not necessarily the best option for everyone. What do people need to know about using Airbnb as a real estate investment strategy? The Pros Of Using Airbnb If the property is in a great location, it is possible to make more money using an Airbnb rental strategy. On a per-night basis, Airbnb usually leads to more … [Read More...]
A house is an investment, and it is important to treat it as such. Homeowners must capitalize on the value of their homes when they go to sell them. One of the best ways to do so is to handle minor repairs before listing the house. Minor repairs do not take that long, so homeowners don't have to worry about delaying their timeline. Furthermore, they are not that expensive to fix, but they can have a significant impact on the value of the home. Why is this the case? Repair Broken Items in Rooms Even though broken items in certain rooms might not be a big deal, they can send the wrong message to … [Read More...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation and the University of Michigan’s preliminary February reporting on consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Inflation Rises as Fed Considers Raising Key Rate The government’s Consumer Price Index for January reported that month-to-month inflation rose by 0.60 percent as compared to an expected increase of 0.40 percent which was based on December’s month-to-month increase of 0.50 percent. Year-over-year inflation rose to a rate of 7.50 percent, which … [Read More...]