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31 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

Case-Shiller: Home Prices Lower in November

Real Estate, ,
Home price growth continued to struggle in November, with Case-Shiller's 20-City Home Price Index moving from October's reading of 5.30 percent annual growth to 5.20 percent growth in November. This was the lowest reading since January 2015. Las Vegas, Nevada remained first in home price growth rate with a year-over-year home prices growth of 12 percent. Phoenix, Arizona's year-over-year home price growth rate was 8.10 percent and Seattle, Washington held third place with a year-over-year home price growth rate of 6.30 percent. Las Vegas' large year-over-year growth in home prices was attributed to the city's ongoing recovery from the recession…
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30 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

Is a Hard Money Loan the Right Strategy for You?

Mortgage, ,
When used as a part of an effective real estate investment strategy, hard money loans are an excellent tool to quickly increase holdings without risking existing properties. However, these loans aren't for everyone. What investors get the most value from hard money loans? Investors With Less-Than-Stellar Credit Investors with credit challenges can qualify more easily for hard money loans. That's because these loans aren't based on the borrower. While you will have to prove a measure of creditworthiness, hard money lenders are more interested in the property you plan to buy. If you default on your payments, the lending bank…
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29 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

Auction 101: Bidding On Your First Property

Real Estate, ,
With the right combination of strategy, knowledge, and luck, flipping houses can create big profits for short-term investors. However, your path to success starts at your first auction. For first-timers who are intimidated by their lack of experience at public auctions, follow these steps to ease the confusion of your first property purchase. Locate Auctions In Your Area Finding live auctions is as simple as an internet search. Websites run by government agencies list homes that have been seized due to tax liens or foreclosures. Try searching databases maintained by: Fannie Mae The FDIC The US Department of Housing and…
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28 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 28th, 2019

Financial Reports, ,
Last week's economic news included readings on sales of previously owned homes and weekly readings on average mortgage rates and new jobless claims. A scheduled report on sales of new homes was not available due to the government shutdown. National Association of Realtors®: Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Lowest in 3 Years Sales of previously owned homes fell in December and failed to meet expectations. 4.99 million pre-owned homes were sold on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis; analysts predicted 5.10 million sales based on 5.33 million sales in November 2018. December's reading showed the lowest number of sales since November of 2015.…
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25 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

5 Home Renovations That Really Raise Values

Real Estate, ,
There are many home renovation projects that can increase the comfort and visual appeal of a dwelling. Owners who plan to sell their home in the future, however, prefer to focus on projects that will return a healthy profit at closing. Here are 5 renovation projects that positively impact a home's resale value. Conversions It's easy for real estate agents to convince buyers to bid higher on properties with more bedrooms. Redesign the attic to easily add an extra bedroom without committing to a major construction project. This strategy works well for smaller homes or those in neighborhoods with multiple…
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24 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

Tips For Selling Your Home In The Winter

Real Estate, ,
Winter typically isn't one of the busier home buying seasons - those seasons are reserved for spring and summer. But to think that you can't sell your home at market value during the winter months is being naive. In fact, you can even use some of the characteristics that define the season to your advantage. For instance, because winter isn't a hot selling season, there's typically less inventory during this time of year. That said, if your home stands out in the listings, you have a better chance of getting on that coveted "short list" of buyers. Here's a look…
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23 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

Complete These Repairs Before You List Your Home

Real Estate, ,
There are several things to do when you prepare to list your home for sale. One of the projects you'll need to do is complete certain repairs. Your home should be in the best possible condition before your real estate agent shows it to potential buyers. While your home doesn't need to be perfect, here is a list of repairs you should strive to get done before you open your home to showings. Front Steps And Deck Issues The front entrance and back deck should be in good shape for curb appeal and safety. Replace or repair wooden steps that…
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22 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 22nd, 2019

Financial Reports, ,
Last week's economic reports included National Association of Home Builders' Housing Market Index, the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report and the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits issued were delayed due to the federal government shutdown, which continued and became the longest government shutdown on record. NAHB: Builder Confidence Rises Amid Headwinds Home builder confidence rose two points in January according to the National Association of Home Builders. Builder concerns over rising construction costs and tariffs on building materials…
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