Freddie Mac will begin offering mortgages with downpayments of only 3 percent – the first time they’ve been this low on the GSE’s loans in nearly five years – starting March 23. The move is expected to make more credit available to entry-level borrowers. “By launching our 3 percent downpayment mortgage now, at the start
By: Michele Lerner While it may be acceptable to snap up a pair of shoes on an impulse, the choice to buy a home requires thoughtful planning and decision making. Whether you’re becoming a homeowner for the first time or you’re a repeat buyer, buying a home is a financial and emotional decision that requires
The motto “the early bird gets the worm” has more merit in today’s housing market than ever. For a long time, homeowners have been under the impression that waiting until the end of March, April or even May is the ideal time to put their house on the market. But actually the Super Bowl traditionally
The National Association of Home Builders recently passed out its Best in American Living Awards. The winning projects were recognized for innovative design, so they tend to highlight design trends you’ll see in new homes in coming years. BALA Chairman Stephen C. Moore, senior partner – marketing with BSB Design Inc. in Des Moines, Iowa
Borrowing costs got even cheaper for home buyers and refinancers this week, as mortgage rates continued to descend. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.66 percent this week, the lowest weekly average since May 23, 2013, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. What’s more, the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped below 3 percent, also
If you’re considering selling your home in 2015, you should know that a lot has probably changed in the real estate market since you last sold. Knowing what works today will help you sell your home quickly and for top dollar. 1. Appeal to buyers using mobile devices. Today many home searches begin on a
Daily Real Estate News | Monday, December 22, 2014 New surveys are revealing some of the features that new-home buyers say are becoming a “must-have.” “Consumers today aren’t just looking for the biggest house on the block. They’re looking for more efficient use of space and a greater area allocated to ‘workhorse’ spaces, like the kitchen,”
The holidays can be a great time to sell with these simple staging techniques. David Marine, Dec 10, 2014 Now that the holiday season has officially arrived, there’s no need to consider taking your home off the market. In fact, housing inventory is typically low this time of  year which means less competition and more
BY KENNETH HALL Special Sections Correspondent When it comes to marketing real estate, no brokerage does more for its agents and clients than Coldwell Banker, according to Jeff Shelton of Hughes-Shelton Realtors in Tampa. Coldwell Banker agents know how to market properties to the right buyers, whether creating innovative marketing campaigns to increase the visibility
Hosting family and friends make the holidays a special time of year, but having extra people staying in your home can put a strain on your home’s systems and appliances. Check out these five ways to avoid a holiday home breakdown: 1. Run your oven through its self-cleaning cycle long before the guests arrive. You’ll