Houses for a dollar. Millions (perhaps billions) in tax incentives. Reclaiming contaminated land. Partnering with Walmart to build town centers. What do all of these things have in common? They are examples of exciting redevelopment opportunities in different parts of America. HUD Dollar Homes The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers homes for $1. Local governments may purchase them if they listed for sale without finding a buyer for six months. HUD acquired these homes through foreclosures. The local governments purchase the homes for $1 so that they can fix them up … [Read More...]
Last week's economic reporting included readings on sales of new and pre-owned homes; weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released along with a report on consumer sentiment. Sales of New Homes Hit 16-Month High The Commerce Department reported that deep discounts offered by home builders boosted sales of new single-family homes to 692,000 sales on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. March sales exceeded February's reading by 4.50 percent and exceeded the expected sales pace of 656,000 sales. The average price of new single family homes fell to $302,700 in March; … [Read More...]
When a homeowner stops making regular mortgage payments, the bank can foreclose on the property. This means that the bank takes possession of the property in an attempt to recover the debt the homeowner owes. In some cases, the bank may try to recover this debt by selling the property at auction. In other cases, the bank will simply list the foreclosed home for sale. Choosing to purchase a foreclosed home has both advantages and disadvantages for the buyer. Weighing these advantages and disadvantages carefully is essential. Pros Of Buying A Foreclosure When you decide to buy a foreclosure, you … [Read More...]
Earth Day is celebrated each year in April to remind us all of the benefits of ecologically-sound living that is more in harmony with Mother Earth. There is quite a bit of positive news when it comes to going "green." There are significant benefits for home sales. Green homes may sell faster and for higher prices. Many people are willing to pay more for a green home in order to receive the long-term benefits of the savings on utility costs. The Numbers Are Very Appealing AHS reports many encouraging statistics. The estimates are about one-third of the real estate market for single family homes … [Read More...]
You've finally found the perfect home for your family. Now the only thing standing between you and domestic bliss is the loan process. Use these techniques to shorten the amount of time between placing your bid and getting the final approval on your new home mortgage. Perfect Your Credit Rating Your credit score is a measure of your financial responsibility. Lenders look closely at your creditworthiness in their attempt to decide your loan's risk. Before you start shopping, take some time to clean up your credit history. Some credit habits that help shorten your loan approval period include: … [Read More...]
For most people, the mortgage payment is the biggest monthly expense. Whether you're facing retirement or still working, it would be nice to be free of this debt. Although you probably can't pay it off in one lump sum, it is possible to pay off your mortgage sooner than expected. Here are four strategies to try. 1. Make Bi-Weekly Payments You could shave eight years off a 30-year mortgage simply by breaking down your monthly payments into two payments instead of one. You'll pay the same amount each month while the interest paid over the length of the loan is reduced. 2. Make … [Read More...]
