CALL 818-665-4532 • NMLS #237153 • CA DRE #1776057

Blog

24 Dec 2018
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 24th, 2018

Financial Reports, ,
Last week's economic news included readings from the National Association of Home Builders, Commerce Department readings on housing starts and National Association of Realtors® report on sales of previously-owned homes. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Home Builders Lose Confidence as Housing Crunch Continues Homebuilder confidence fell to a 36 month low in December as homebuilder concerns over rising home prices, high mortgage rates and decreasing inventories of available homes sidelined home buyers. The NAHB Housing Market Index fell four points to 56. Components of the Housing Market Index reading also fell as…
Read More
21 Dec 2018
By noelkelman

Big Cities vs. Secondary Markets: Where to Buy?

Real Estate, ,
Atlanta, Charlotte, New York and Los Angeles are always on the real estate radar because of big ticket sales and good media coverage. The secondary markets - those markets without the celebrity undertones - may actually be better deals. With the price of borrowing money rising and occupation rates dropping in primary markets, places like Nashville and Birmingham are looking better to investors. Where Are the Secondary Markets? A secondary market is generally defined as a mid size or large city that has recorded an uptick in growth in the immediate past. They do not have quite the economic clout…
Read More
20 Dec 2018
By noelkelman

How To Choose Between Laminate And Hardwood Flooring

Real Estate, ,
Picking out a new flooring can be exciting. After all, as anyone knows, new flooring in a home or business property can completely change the entire atmosphere. A common question asked by commercial and residential property owners is "Should I go with laminate or hardwood flooring?" If you have found yourself asking this question, understand that both types of flooring materials each have their own pros and cons. For the most part, hardwood flooring tends to be more expensive than laminate but this isn't always the case. Let's take a quick look at the benefits and disadvantages of laminate and…
Read More
19 Dec 2018
By noelkelman

How Will Interest Rates Affect the Market in 2019?

Real Estate, ,
Forbes and other reputable publications have predicted a continued rise in interest rates over 2019. The initial shock of the Fed's action caused a slowdown in real estate markets over the final part of 2018. As the shock wears off, experts are divided as to whether more expensive money will continue to translate into lower housing starts and occupancy rates for primary markets. Many experts believe that the rising 2018 interest rates have not yet baked themselves into the real estate market. They point to past instances of relatively high real estate hikes and the slower uptake into the property…
Read More
18 Dec 2018
By noelkelman

What is the Multifamily Market in 2019 Looking Like?

Real Estate, ,
A growing supply of housing, volatility in the marketplace and risks in the development process all affected the multifamily market in 2018. In 2019, these three factors will continue to move the needle. The Housing Supply Markets like Boston, Seattle and Nashville are growing supply faster than demand. From 2015 to 2017, developers were building like crazy and landlords were enjoying rent increases of 5-7% year over year. They built too much, and the peak has showed itself. Only top markets like Atlanta and Charlotte can justify their cost of living increases. The rest will likely see slower growth and…
Read More
17 Dec 2018
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 17th, 2018

Financial Reports, ,
Last week's economic reports included readings on inflation and retail sales. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. Retail Sales Grow, Inflation Unchanged in November November retail sales grew by 0.20 percent in November as compared to expectations of 0.10 percent and October's reading of 1.10 percent growth. Core retail sales, which exclude automotive sales, grew by 0.20 percent and met expectations. Analysts said online stores pushed retail sales growth in November. Inflation held steady in November as expected. Inflation grew by 0.30 percent in October. Core inflation, which excludes volatile fuel and food sectors, rose…
Read More
14 Dec 2018
By noelkelman

How The Title Search Works

Real Estate, ,
A title search is an early warning system for buyers and lenders. It reveals flaws the owner must resolve prior to a closing or refinance request. This allows the owner to clear any clouds on the title so that the process can move forward. Also, it protects the buyer or lender from assuming an obligation they aren't responsible for.  Title Search A chain of title exists in the public records. It shows the history of property title transfer from each previous owner to the next. Unfortunately, these searches are labor intensive and require a specialist called a title examiner. The…
Read More
13 Dec 2018
By noelkelman

5 Home Design Trends To Watch Out In 2019

Real Estate, ,
Home design trends continue to change at supersonic speeds. With New Year right around the corner, the home design world is focusing on trends that will probably reign big in 2019.  So, as you make your annual resolutions or consider revamping your home, it's worth knowing them. After all, we all adore coming back to a place that makes us happy and helps us disconnect from tough days at work.  It's wise to be aware of temporary fads in design, but don't be shy to try some new home designs and decor in 2019. In this post, we explore five…
Read More