27 Mar 2019
By noelkelman

Are Multi-Unit Properties the Right Move for You?

Real Estate, ,
Real estate isn't a one-size-fits-all pursuit. Buying and renting multi-unit properties is one of the ways investors build residual income while increasing their property portfolios. However, multi-unit rentals come with some unique challenges. Are you ready to manage a multi-unit rental property? Ask yourself these questions to help you decide which path best fits your resources, goals, and interests. Do You Plan To Live On The Property? Living in one of your rental units offers a myriad of benefits. First, you get to keep a close eye on building conditions and the actions of your renters. Next, you'll be able…
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26 Mar 2019
By noelkelman

What Causes Mortgage Interest Rates To Fluctuate?

Mortgage, ,
The mortgage interest rate represents the cost of borrowing money to purchase a property. Mortgage interest rates are not fixed; that is, they fluctuate from one period of time to the next. Many different factors play into what your mortgage interest rate will finally turn out to be. Some of these factors have to deal with the economy and government decisions. Other factors have to do with your personal financial situation. Finally, mortgage interest rates can differ between lending institutions, which is why you may get different mortgage interest rate quotes from different places. Economic Factors That Cause Mortgage Interest…
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20 Mar 2019
By noelkelman

NAHB: Housing Market Index Flat in March

Real Estate, ,
Builder sentiment held steady in March as headwinds in housing markets affected homebuilder confidence, but National Association of Home Builders Chairman Greg Ugalde said that builders were looking forward to a "solid spring home-buying season." Builder sentiment mirrored February's index reading of 62; analysts expected an uptick to 63. Any Housing Market Index reading over 50 indicates that more builders than fewer have a positive outlook on housing market conditions. The average reading for 2018 was 67, which indicated that builders were less confident current market conditions for new homes than in 2018. HMI Component Readings Mixed in March Three…
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27 Feb 2019
By noelkelman

Case-Shiller: December Home Price Growth Slowest in 4 Years

Real Estate, ,
Case-Shiller Home Price Indices reported the slowest rate of U.S. home price growth since November 2014. According to the 20-City Home Price Index, Home prices grew by 4.20 percent year-over-year and were 0.20 percent higher in December as compared to November. The 20-City Home Price Index fell short of analysts' expected gain of 4.80 percent year-over-year. Case-Shiller's National Home Price Index reported home prices increased 4.70 percent in the fourth quarter of 2018. While home price growth is sluggish, home prices continued to rise faster than wages. This creates obstacles to affordability for many would-be home buyers. Fears about rising…
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22 Feb 2019
By noelkelman

FOMC Meeting Minutes: Why Fed’s Rate Policy Reversed Course

Real Estate, ,
After raising the target range for the federal funds rate in 2018, the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee did not raise the Central Bank's key interest rate at its meeting of January 29 and 30. While Committee members did not raise the Fed's key rate, members were divided on the interest rate decision. FOMC Members Divided On Interest Rate Decision Minutes of January's FOMC meeting indicated that member viewpoints varied about how the Fed should deal with the Fed's target interest rate range. One group said that interest rate increases may be necessary if inflation increases above the Federal Reserve's…
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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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17 Jan 2019
By noelkelman

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Grows After Lowest Level in 3 Years

Real Estate, ,
After two months of declining builder confidence, the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index gained two points in January with a reading of 58. Component readings of the HMI were also higher with builder confidence in current market conditions rose two points to an index reading of 63. Builder confidence in housing market conditions over the next six months rose three points to 64. The index for buyer traffic in new housing developments rose one point to 44. While index readings above 50 indicate positive market conditions, the index reading for buyer traffic is typically lower than 50.…
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26 Dec 2018
By noelkelman

FOMC Raises Key Rate, Forecasts 2 Rate Hikes in 2019

Real Estate, ,
During its post-meeting statement, the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve announced that its target range for the Fed's key interest rate would increase one quarter percent to 2.25 to 2.50 percent. While this rate hike was not expected by the Executive branch, it met analyst expectations. FOMC said in its customary post-meeting statement that members expect to make two interest rate hikes in 2019 as compared to three rate hikes in 2018 and the Committee's original forecast of three rate hikes in 2019. Given current economic conditions, the Fed forecasted only one rate hike for 2020. Hawks…
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