What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 7th, 2019
Last week's economic news included readings on construction spending, and labor reports on public and private sector jobs and the national unemployment rate. Weekly reports on new jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released.
4 Cool Green Material Ideas For Your New Home
If climate change is foremost in your mind, you may be interested in reducing your new home's carbon footprint. Choosing green materials is one way to promote sustainability and ensure you're doing your part to help the planet.
The Most Popular Cities For Relocating To Get A Better Deal On A Home
Many people are looking to buy homes, not across the street, not somewhere else in town, but in other parts of the country. The motivator for this is that there are significant differences in the median prices for home sales in different parts of America. This is not a result of the places being undesirable.
Expanding Opportunities For Home-Buying In ‘Opportunity Zones’
Opportunity Zones were created by the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to encourage investors with capital gains on other investments to invest that money in low-income and undercapitalized communities. They get a reward of deferring capital gains tax. They avoid a portion of it altogether if they keep the investment for five years or longer.
Top Tips For Having A Home That Is Also Your Office
Telecommuting has significantly changed the housing market. More people than ever before are working from home. Younger people are especially likely to do this and become part of what is called the "gig" economy. Many are working as freelancers or starting online businesses.
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 30th, 2019
Last week's economic reports included readings from Case-Shiller on home prices along with data on new and pending home sales. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and initial jobless claims were also released.
How To Crowdfund A Renovation Project
Crowdfunding came into prominence with the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act that President Obama signed into law during 2012 and subsequent enhancements. The JOBS Act made it easier for startups to raise money and for the first time allowed the legal ability to advertise the investments and accept small investors.
Case-Shiller: July Home Price Growth Hits Lowest Pace in 12 Years
Case-Shiller's National Home Price Index reported U.S. home prices grew by 3.20 percent year-over-year in July; as compared to year-over-year home price growth 0f 3.00 percent posted in June. Cities with the highest rates of year-over-year home price growth were Phoenix, Arizona with 5.80 percent year-over-year home price growth. Las Vegas, Nevada had 4.70 percent year-over-year home price appreciation and Charlotte, North Caroline bumped Tampa, Florida from the top three cities with home price appreciation of 4.60 percent. Tampa, Florida posted 4.50 percent year-over-year home price growth in July.
What Makes Up A PITI Mortgage Payment?
Many mortgage payments are made up of four parts, called PITI. PITI is an acronym that stands for principal, interest, tax, and insurance. It's important to understand PITI because it is the real number you need to use in order to find out how much mortgage you can afford to pay each month.
How To Create A Home-Buying Partnership
Many want to have a home, yet find it difficult to afford one by themselves. Some people are forming home-buying partnerships to buy a home and live in it together. Here are some considerations for those interested in forming a home-buying partnership.
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 23rd, 2019
Last week's economic reports included readings from the National Association of Home Builders on housing market conditions, Commerce Department reports on Housing starts and building permits issued and the National Association of Realtors(R) report on sales of previously owned homes.
Is It Possible To Have A Hurricane-Proof Home?
The recent total devastation of the Bahamas by hurricane Dorian reinforced the need for hurricane-proof homes in areas that are subject to this risk. Building codes have not kept up with the increasing severity of the weather.