When it comes to finding a home, this is an exciting time. Many people love looking at houses; however, the reality is that people also need to think carefully about how much house they can actually afford. Buying a home is a big decision and for many people this is going to be the most expensive purchase they ever make in their lives. Therefore, it is important to take the time to get this decision right. There are plenty of ways for people to calculate how much house they can actually afford. With a budget in mind, this will make the shopping process easier. The 28 Percent Rule One of the … [Read More...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation, job openings, a speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell on the economy, and the latest Consumer Sentiment Index from the University of Michigan. Weekly reports on new and continuing jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released. Hiring Surge and Job Separations Ease in August The U.S. Department of Labor reported fewer job openings in August with 6.49 million job openings reported as compared to July’s reading of 6.70 million jobs available. Analysts noted that this indicated a slowdown in hiring after businesses … [Read More...]
Whether you've decided it's time for an upgrade or you're moving on to a new city, if you're selling your home you may be wondering how you can boost its value before listing it up for sale. In today's blog post we'll share four ways that you can spend a bit of time and money upgrading your home before it hits the local real estate market. Spruce Up Your Landscaping You'll want your home to make a great first impression, and as such a great place to start is by sprucing up your lawn, gardens and other landscape features. Your grass should be a healthy green, free of weeds and freshly trimmed. … [Read More...]
The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone and this includes the real estate industry. One of the biggest impacts that this pandemic has had involves the home lending process. Because many people are looking for ways to buy a home while engaging in proper social distancing measures, the industry has had to adapt. Learn more about some of the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has forced on the home lending process. Homes Are Getting More Affordable The demand for homes right now is high; however, homes are still more affordable than they have been in the past. Lenders are trying to find ways to … [Read More...]
Are you a homeowner who is thinking about selling their current home and making an upgrade to a newer, larger home? If you're facing the prospect of having to manage a home purchase and a home sale at the same time you'll find that there are numerous priorities that are begging for your attention. In today's blog post we'll share a few tips for how to manage a buying and selling transaction simultaneously without being overwhelmed by them. Start By Getting Your Finances In Order Before you start the hunt for a new home you'll want to ensure that your finances are in order and that you're … [Read More...]
When people start the process of trying to find a home, they want to make sure that they take the time to get this decision right. The reality is that a home is the most expensive purchase that most people are ever going to make. As a result, they need to make sure they find a home that will meet their needs. At the same time, it will be hard to find a home that is truly perfect. Therefore, it is a great idea for everyone to come up with a list of necessities and a list of features on which they can be more flexible. How can people do this? How can people fall in love with an imperfect home? … [Read More...]
