Monthly Archives: September 2016
When the rate goes up
It’s not “if” the rate goes up but “when” the rate goes up; it could make a big difference for some buyers. Freddie Mac predicts that mortgage rates will be at 4.5% a year from now. If buyers can afford a home with higher interest rates, it means higher payments. Higher payments might mean they … Continue reading When the rate goes up → Read More
Waiting to Buy…WHY?
Some people wait to buy a home until they have 20% down payment to avoid paying the mortgage insurance which is required by lenders when the loan-to-value ratio is greater than 80%, with the exception of VA loans. To illustrate a typical situation, let’s assume that buyers have $10,000 for a down payment on a … Continue reading Waiting to Buy…WHY? → Read More
Dust-Free Home
Having a dust-free home isn’t difficult, but it takes a serious commitment and a housekeeping strategy that addresses the dust and its causes. Whether your motive is cleanliness or to eliminate the cause of some allergies and asthma symptoms, it will be worth it. Try to dust your home at least twice a week. Dust … Continue reading Dust-Free Home → Read More
Getting to Value
Fair market value is the price that real estate would sell for on the open market without any unusual forces being involved. The definition is relatively simple but there certainly different methods of determining what it is. A homeowner could order an appraisal before they put their home on the market but would incur the … Continue reading Getting to Value → Read More