Guest post by: Lilly Woods Buying a house usually represents an important investment for most people, especially first-time buyers. Purchasing a property can be exciting but this means that a lot of emotions will be involved in the process. Many home buyers end up making decisions that they can later regret. There are some common […]
Are you looking to sell your house as quickly as possible and for top dollar? If so, then you should focus on increasing the value of your home in order to make it easier to find a buyer and get a higher price. Here are 20 things you can do to increase the value of […]
By: REBAC Staff 1. Why is an appraisal required? Lenders need to avoid risky mortgage investments. In addition to evaluating your finances, your lender will also want to ensure your home has a market value that matches or exceeds your purchase price. Since your home serves as collateral for your loan, lenders want to minimize […]
By Alisa Wolfson Mortgage rates will rise Right now, we’re still facing mortgage rates near historic lows—some 30-year rates are still near 3% and some 15-year rates near 2%—but pros do predict a rise. Dr. Lawrence Yun, National Association of Realtors (NAR) chief economist, forecasts the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to increase to 3.5% by the end […]
By: Kate Dore, CFP® with CNBC Finance With soaring home values, many sellers expect a sizable profit when listing their property. However, capital gains taxes may put a damper on their windfall. Home sales profits are considered capital gains, taxed at federal rates of 0%, 15% or 20% in 2021, depending on income. The IRS […]
From NAR (National Association of Realtors) The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced it would be increasing upfront fees on second-home mortgages and on mortgages that finance homes with balances that exceed standard conforming loan limits. The fees are expected to increase the purchase cost of second homes and homes in high-cost areas. The new fees […]
FROM Realtor Magazine.com Take steps to protect the house during the colder months. A lot of times that starts with the gutters. Unkept gutters can wreak havoc on a home during winter. Leaf Home, a company that offers home solutions, offers the following winter checklist to help homeowners prevent seasonal damage to their home. Check […]
by Barbara Ballinger of Realtor.com When the 13-story Champlain Towers South building collapsed in the town of Surfside, Fla., earlier this year, municipalities in the area speeded up planned inspections, and owners of other coastal condominiums worried about whether their buildings were secure. But concerns didn’t stop there. The tragic collapse and deaths brought questions from […]
by ASHLEY ABRAMSON with ApartmentTherapy.com Trends aren’t just temporary fads; they’re landmarks of what we collectively value. That best-selling product, viral organizing hack, or Pinterest sensation reflects back to us what we’ve learned, what we treasure, and what we hope for — and that’s exactly why we’re keeping tabs on what’s trending for the year […]
Guest Post by Alexis Hall You fell in love the second you saw the photos. And when you walked in the front door for the first time, you knew you were home. You even conferred with your real estate agent on what to expect when you toured the home. But now that you have the […]
From the NAR Realtors Magazine House hunters will likely wonder about the age and upkeep of certain big-ticket features in a home like the roof and HVAC system. But they will also likely be interested in just how move-in ready the home is. Sellers can take on some prep work to get their house move-in […]
Let’s compare how the real estate market in Monmouth and Ocean counties performed in November compared to last year. Check out the infographics I created based on the information supplied by the Monmouth Ocean Regional Realtors (MORR). Compared to the number of homes sold in every category, less homes sold last month than in the […]
By Clare Trapasso from Realtor.com Here’s what we already know: Since the COVID-19 pandemic began, the real estate market has been on a wild ride of unprecedented highs and lows—record-high home prices on one side, record-low mortgage rates and available homes for sale on the other. It’s been a time of overwhelming stress for many, gigantic […]
As we near the end of the year, more homeowners are realizing the benefits of today’s sellers’ market. Record-breaking home price appreciation, growing equity, low inventory, and competitive mortgage rates are motivating homeowners to make a move that addresses their changing lifestyles. In fact, recent data from realtor.com shows a larger share of homeowners are planning to list their houses this winter. So, that means more […]
