Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Rate Increases in July

Home price growth fueled by high demand for single-family homes was higher in July according to Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index. Analysts said that millennials seeking to purchase homes and the continued exodus from large urban areas propelled rising home prices. Home prices grew fastest in the West and Southeastern regions. While home prices grew moderately before the pandemic, high unemployment has not impeded rapid home price growth since the pandemic. Low mortgage rates and more demand for homes overcame consumers’ concerns about jobs and the economy. Analysts said that rapidly rising home prices could benefit homeowners struggling with mortgage…
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4 Ways COVID-19 Has Had An Impact On The Home Lending Process

The COVID-19 pandemic has impacted everyone and this includes the real estate industry. One of the biggest impacts that this pandemic has had involves the home lending process. Because many people are looking for ways to buy a home while engaging in proper social distancing measures, the industry has had to adapt. Learn more about some of the changes the COVID-19 pandemic has forced on the home lending process. Homes Are Getting More Affordable The demand for homes right now is high; however, homes are still more affordable than they have been in the past. Lenders are trying to find…
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The Importance of Reviewing Your Insurance Policies During The COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken the world by storm. Millions of people all over the world have been infected and businesses have ground to a halt. During this time, it is important for everyone to take a breath, pause, and look at their insurance policies. The reality is that the economic crisis is following in the footsteps of the obvious public health emergency. In order for everyone to hold their finances together, it is important to explore all of the options. This includes looking at insurance policies. Business Interruption Insurance One of the first policies or riders that everyone has…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 10, 2020

Economic readings released last week included construction spending, public and private-sector job growth, and government reports on initial and continuing jobless claims. Freddie Mac also released its weekly report on average mortgage rates. Construction Spending Falls in June Commerce Department reporting for June showed lower construction spending for the fourth consecutive month, but spending fell by -0.70 percent as compared to May’s negative reading of -1.70 percent. June’s construction spending was $1.36 million at a seasonally adjusted annual rate. Residential construction spending fell by 1.50 percent in June as public construction spending fell by -0.70 percent. Analysts said that construction…
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What Is The Impact Of COVID-19 On Home Value?

It is no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has had an impact on everyone; however, there are a few impacts that are being overlooked. In addition to the public health crisis and the tanking of the stock market, there are also impacts of the virus on people’s home values. Some of these impacts have been positive while others have been negative. Regardless, it is important for everyone to understand how these impacts might impact someone’s home value, particularly for those who are looking to buy or sell a home in the future. The Dropping Rates Of Mortgages Because of the…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 27, 2020

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on sales of new and previously owned homes. State and federal data on new and continuing jobless claims were released along with Freddie Mac’s weekly report on mortgage rates. Sales of New and Existing Homes Rise in June Sales of new homes rose at their highest rate in 13 years according to the Commerce Department. New homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 776,000 sales, which exceeded the expected reading of 710.000 new single-family homes sold and May’s reading of 682,000 new homes sold. Analysts said that increased interest in relocating to suburban…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 6, 2020

Last week’s scheduled economic reports included readings on pending home sales, Case-Shiller Home Price Indices, and labor sector reports on private and public-sector job growth. Data on construction spending was also released. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Pending Home Sales Jump in May Sales of homes for which purchase contracts were signed rose by 44.30 percent in May and was the highest month-to-month increase recorded since the report’s inception in 2001..Pending home sales are sales with signed purchase contracts but aren’t closed. Lawrence Yun, chief economist for the National Association of Realtors® said,  “This…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 15, 2020

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation, the post-meeting statement from the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee, and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Inflation Ticks Up in May May’s Consumer Price Index moved from April’s reading of -0.80 percent to -0.10 percent. The Core Consumer Price Index, which excludes volatile food and energy sectors, rose to -0.40 percent in May as compared to April’s reading of -0.40 percent. The Consumer Price Indices are used to calculate overall and core inflation rates. The Federal Reserve uses an annual inflation rate of 2.00…
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