20 Feb 2020
By noelkelman

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Near 1999 High

Market Outlook, ,
The National Association of Home Builders reported a housing market index reading of 74 in February; the index reading was one point lower than for January and was only two points below the highest reading of 76 reported in December. Readings over 50 indicate that most builders consider housing market conditions to be positive. Factors contributing to builder confidence included strong housing markets and low mortgage rates; job growth and higher wages also boosted builder confidence. Low Inventory Influences Home Prices Low inventories of available homes continued to drive demand and rising home prices. Homebuyers faced with low supplies of…
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31 Jan 2020
By noelkelman

FOMC Statement: Key Fed Rate Unchanged; Policymakers Monitor Impact of Asian Flu Outbreak

Market Outlook, ,
The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve issued its scheduled post-meeting statement Wednesday. Policymakers unanimously decided to leave the target federal funds rate range unchanged at 1.50 to 1.75 percent. FOMC members reasserted previous views that inflation was "subdued" and the economy was growing at a moderate pace. The Fed typically bases decisions about interest rates on its dual mandate of achieving maximum employment and an annual inflation rate of 2.00 percent. U.S. Economy Strong, Fed Chair Sees No Immediate Risk From China FOMC cut the target interest rate range three times in 2019 to offset higher prices…
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29 Jan 2020
By noelkelman

Case-Shiller Reports Growth In Home Prices In November

Market Outlook, ,
Case-Shiller Home Price Indices reported that national growth of home prices rose by 0.30 percent in November. Analysts said that slim inventories of available homes boosted home prices. Whether or not home price growth continues gaining speed depends on variables including supplies of homes for sale, affordability and home-buyer confidence in the economy. Mr. Craig Lazzara, managing director and global head of index investment strategy at S&P Dow Jones Indices said, "It is, of course, too soon to say whether this marks an end to the deceleration [of home price growth] or is merely a pause in the longer-term trend."…
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10 Jan 2020
By noelkelman

10 US Cities With Highest Mortgage Denial Rates

Mortgage, ,
For many, owning property is seen as a rite of passage. At the same time, for most people, accomplishing this dream is largely dependent on the approval of a mortgage. For this reason, it is important for people to think carefully when deciding who to ask for a mortgage. Some cities have a higher mortgage approval rate than others. Identifying Problems With A Mortgage Application Before applying for a mortgage, it is important to think about the most common reasons why someone might be rejected. First, if someone has a debt to income ratio that is too high, they are…
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27 Dec 2019
By noelkelman

The Advantages Of A Dual-Location Lifestyle

Real Estate, ,
Commuting for hours in traffic on a daily basis is a waste of resources, time, and money. It is stressful and bad for the environment. The infrastructure in many parts of the United States is falling apart. The roads and highways do not have sufficient capacity to handle the demands of the traffic load that continues to increase each year. Many busy professionals and families are turning to a solution of owning two homes for the convenience of enjoying dual-location living. What Is Dual-Location Living? The most common form of dual-location living is having a home and also owning a…
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24 Dec 2019
By noelkelman

Tips On How To Get The Home You Want In A ‘Seller’s Market’

Real Estate, ,
A "seller's market" happens when there are more potential buyers than homes for sale. In a seller's market, people looking for a home may feel frustration and not easily find the home that they want. When they find a home for sale that they like, the seller of the home may receive multiple competitive offers at the same moment. The seller is in an excellent position when this happens. Sellers can pick from the purchase offers to choose the one they like the most. Even if an offer is the same as another one, sometimes it is not the offer…
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03 Dec 2019
By noelkelman

How Are Mortgage Rates Determined?

Mortgage, ,
When someone is interested in buying a home, there are a number of factors that people need to consider. Some of these include the budget, the size of the home, and the mortgage interest rates.  The mortgage rate is going to play a tremendous role in whether or not someone is going to be able to afford their dream home. For this reason, it is critical for everyone to know how a mortgage rate is determined. There are a number of factors in someone's financial history that are going to impact the mortgage rate the lender offers. The Credit Score…
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01 Nov 2019
By noelkelman

When’s The Best Time To Buy A House?

Real Estate, ,
If you happen to want to move to a hot market for home sellers, here is some advice. Go looking for a home to buy when it is freezing outside or the weather is otherwise severe. Buying a home is both about finding one you like and beating out others if the market has buying competition.  Days On Market To find out the competition for a particular market, check the median number of days that a home is listed on the market before it sells. This is called the "days on market." In a hot seller's market, the median number…
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