15 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

4 House “Flaws” You Can Safely Disregard

Real Estate, ,
When you walk through a house with your real estate agent, you're seeing if you and your family would be happy living there. But you're also probably looking for signs of trouble that might spell big expenses later on. Be careful, though. It's important to see the "bones" of the house rather than focusing on minor issues. Here are four flaws you can safely disregard. 1. Stained Carpet Stained carpet is more an indication of the owner's poor cleaning habits than of any real problems with the house. It's so easy to replace carpeting that it's not worth even paying…
Read More
14 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 14th, 2019

Financial Reports, ,
Last week's economic reports included remarks by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell, readings on inflation and core inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-tome jobless claims were also released. If the government shutdown continues, it is expected to impact release dates for readings from federal government agencies. Federal Reserve Watches and Waits on Interest Rates as Inflation Slows Fed Chair Jerome Powell said that the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve will "wait and see" about raising the target federal funds rate this year. Chairman Powell spoke at a discussion hosed by the Economic Club of Washington,…
Read More
11 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

4 Ways to Improve Your Curb Appeal

Real Estate, ,
You have about five minutes to impress (or not) prospective buyers at a showing. For curb appeal, you get about five seconds for buyers to decide whether they want to go inside. Here are four tips to help you get the wow factor from your home's street-facing views. Update Entryway Hardware A wall-mounted mailbox, chic house numbers and a pretty porch light add interest to your entryway. However, dated and dinged hardware impress no one. In a perfect world, all your hardware matches in style, color and finish. Of course, it should also tie-in to the style of your house.…
Read More
10 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

3 Tips To Save For A Down Payment

Mortgage, ,
Saving up for a down payment can feel overwhelming. Most people have never saved up the kind of money it takes for a down payment. It can be done, though. The goal is to put 20% down on a house. This is what it takes if you don't want to have to pay private mortgage insurance every month. However, you don't have to absolutely put 20% down. Some mortgage programs, such as VA and FHA loans, let borrowers put down as little as zero down or about 3.5% down. There are extra requirements with any kind of mortgage you get,…
Read More
09 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

What Happens After Your Offer Is Accepted?

Real Estate, ,
When you make an offer on a home, you wait anxiously to see if it will be accepted. Sometimes you're lucky enough to hear back within hours. Other times you could wait days or even weeks. But once you get that good news that your offer has been accepted, what happens next? It's a common question, and one that your real estate agent can help you with. In general though, here's what you can expect. There's A Home Inspection A home inspection needs to be conducted in order to assess the condition of the home for financing needs. This is…
Read More
08 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

Top 5 Ways To Pick A High Quality Real Estate Agent

Real Estate, ,
Your real estate agent can be the difference between a successful home buy and a bad purchase. Take a look at the characteristics of a good real estate agent and how you should vet your next partner in real estate. Patience Does the real estate agent immediately tell you to give up your rights to audit a home for a quicker sale? You may want to move on. The best real estate agents realize how big of a commitment a home is, and they are willing to walk you through the process at whatever pace you are comfortable with. Localized…
Read More
07 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 7th, 2019

Financial Reports, ,
Last week's economic reports included Labor Department readings on private and public sector jobs, the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Monthly reporting on construction spending was delayed due to the government shutdown. Public and Private-Sector Jobs Growth Exceeds Expectations ADP reported 271private sector jobs added in December as compared to 157,000 jobs added in November. Analysts expected 182,000 jobs added for December and said that December's reading was the highest number of jobs added in almost two years. Large companies added 54,000 jobs, medium sized companies added 129,000 jobs and…
Read More
04 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

Should You Buy A Fixer Upper Or Move-In Ready Home?

Real Estate, ,
There's a lot to be said for buying a move-in ready home. All you have to do is put your things away and start living your life. On the other hand, buying a fixer upper has its advantages, too. You can get a great bargain on a fixer upper home. So which one should you choose? Here are some things to consider. You Can Easily Afford To Buy What You Want If money is no object, then a move-in ready home is the best choice. You'll be able to get exactly the home you want with little or no effort…
Read More