21 Apr 2020
By noelkelman

How Do Mortgage Points Cut Your Interest Costs?

Mortgage, ,
Those who are involved in the real estate industry likely know that mortgage rates are at an all-time low. At the same time, nobody wants to pay more for a house than they have to. Some of the most important factors that dictate how much someone is going to pay for a house include points and interest rates. While interest rates are incredibly low, there is a way to make them lower. This comes in the form of points. This is additional money that is paid upfront to get a better deal over the life of the loan. Even though…
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20 Apr 2020
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 20th, 2020

Financial Reports, ,
Last week’s scheduled economic reporting included readings on home builder sentiment, housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and initial jobless claims were also released NAHB: Homebuilder Confidence Crashes as Coronavirus Impacts Construction Homebuilder sentiment concerning housing market conditions dropped significantly in April according to the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index. April’s index reading of 30 was the largest month-to-month drop recorded since the Housing Market Index started 30 years ago. Homebuilder confidence was 42 points lower than the March reading of 72 and was the lowest reading since June 2012. Index readings…
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17 Apr 2020
By noelkelman

The Narrowing Gap Between Renting And Buying A Home In The US

Real Estate, ,
According to data compiled by Realtor.com in the fourth quarter of 2019, it is still more affordable overall to rent versus buy a home -- but just barely. The median monthly mortgage payment at the end of 2019 was $1,600, while the median monthly rent payment was $1,319. This is largely due to steadily-increasing rates, rising home prices, and near-record-low mortgage rates. The Realtor.com study looked at 593 counties across the country. As compared to the fourth quarter of 2018, the average monthly cost of renting a home increased 4%, up from $1,254, while the average monthly cost of homeownership…
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16 Apr 2020
By noelkelman

What Should I Consider Most When Buying A Home This Year?

Real Estate, ,
There are two times when it is best to buy a home. When you have to buy one and when you can afford to buy one. In general, owning a home is better than renting one because you are building up equity for yourself, instead of throwing your money away by helping the landlord buy the property with your rent money. Best- And Worst-Case Scenario Planning Be prepared for owning a home, especially if this will be your first time as a homebuyer. There is a natural tendency to stretch finances to the breaking point when wanting to own a…
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15 Apr 2020
By noelkelman

Mortgage Relief Refinance Programs For 2020

Mortgage, ,
There are lots of people out there who are searching for options for mortgage relief. A quick search will reveal options for programs such as FMERR and HARP; however, many of the articles regarding these programs are a bit outdated. This makes them misleading. Sometimes, people might think they can apply for these programs when, in reality, they cannot. These programs have expired. Fortunately, there is another option for HIRO. What Is HIRO? HIRO is the mortgage relief refinance program for 2020. Run by Fannie Mae, this program does have some similarities to its ancestors (HARP and FMERR); however, it…
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14 Apr 2020
By noelkelman

Home Improvements For A New Home Or When Getting Ready To Sell

Real Estate, ,
With time on our hands, many of us are busying ourselves with home improvement projects. Some simple changes can increase the attractiveness of a home and may help with a sale. If you are getting ready to sell your home or if you just want to beautify it a little, here are some low-cost tips for home improvements to consider. Go Green Adding indoor plants is nice and improves interior air quality. If you have the room for it, consider a vertical garden. A vertical garden may use the entire ceiling-to-floor area of one wall. With the proper type of…
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13 Apr 2020
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 13th, 2020

Financial Reports, ,
Last week’s economic reports were limited due to closures connected with coronavirus regulations. The Federal Reserve did not issue minutes for the most recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting as the meeting was canceled. Inflation readings were released; weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were released along with the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index. Consumer Price Index Falls In March The Consumer Price Index dropped by -0.40 percent in March; this was its biggest decline in five years. Lower inflation was largely due to falling fuel prices. The Core Consumer Price Index, which excludes volatile food…
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10 Apr 2020
By noelkelman

Creative Ways To Keep Your Family Sane During The COVID-19 Crisis

Mortgage, ,
It can be a tremendous challenge to suddenly be stuck at home during the COVID-19 crisis. For those who are in an area of the country where there is a "shelter in place" order, this can feel very much like house arrest. If there are children stuck at home as well, this could be enough to make the entire family go stir crazy. It can be hard to come up with ways to have fun when there is a lot of fear and anxiety in the air; however, here are a few great ways that families can have fun, grow…
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