The Mortgage Bankers Association (MBA) Builder Application Survey (BAS) data for July 2014 shows mortgage applications for new home purchases increased by 2 percent relative to the previous month. This change does not include any adjustment for typical seasonal patterns.
By product type, conventional loans composed 68.8 percent of …
Last week, we talked about powerful negotiation tactics and their impact on getting and keeping clients and why a real estate pro who can negotiate well will see his or her business increase substantially.
This was according to Lee Barrett in Homes.com Secrets of Top Selling Agents webinar, “ …
FSBO [abbr.] – Property that is ‘For Sale By Owner,’ denoting a lack of an agent or broker representative
Ah, FSBOs. Those properties owners insist on selling without the guidance of a professional, often in an attempt to avoid paying a hefty commission. A precarious move, considering the unpredictability …
With all of the encouragement from celebrity spokespersons like Fred Thompson, Robert Wagner and Henry Winkler, there is a growing awareness of reverse mortgages. The fact is that our population is getting older and more than 25 million homeowners meet the age requirement.
A reverse mortgage will …
In an attempt to compare homes, one of the common denominators has been price per square foot. It seems like a fairly, straight forward method but there are differences in the way homes are measured.
The first assumption that has to be made is that the …
Curb appeal is one thing, but healthy green lawns also contribute to the amount of green homeowners might command when selling a home.
A recent post from Grass Seed USA—a national coalition of grass seed farmers and academic turf specialists (weseedamerica.com)—reveals how homes and homeowners in neighborhoods flush with …
A: Seek ownership in a well-maintained building, and pay special attention to the financial health of the condo association. Lax maintenance may be a sign of financial trouble, which could result in higher maintenance fees and problems trying to resale the property later.
Things to consider:
Get a …
1. View the home as a form of recreation, not an investment.
If you buy one, make sure, above all, that this is a house and an area you enjoy. It will be worth the cost if you spend as much time there as possible, put your heart and …
The Veterans Administration guarantees home loans for eligible veterans. It is considered an attractive loan because the veteran can purchase the home with no down payment up to specific loan limits and no mortgage insurance. This makes the monthly payment considerably lower.
Let’s assume a buyer wants to …
Are you thinking about selling your home this spring? If so, you're likely to have many questions—especially if you've never sold a house before. It's helpful to understand the basics.
Brett Furman, a broker/owner in St. Davids, Pennsylvania suggests asking these four questions every home seller asks:
What …