There are a lot of people who would like to remain in their homes for as long as possible. Unfortunately, a traditional home may have a few features that can make it difficult for people to stay in their homes as they get older. There are some modifications that can be done relatively easily to reduce the risk of falls. This includes adding handrails, improving the lighting, and even adding seats in the shower. Unfortunately, some modifications, such as making a home wheelchair accessible, can cost thousands of dollars. A home equity loan can make this process much more affordable. How Does A Home Equity Loan Work? If you have been in your house for a long time, you probably have a … [Continue Reading...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on new and pending home sales, minutes from the Federal Reserve's recent Federal Open Market Committee meeting, and data on inflation. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.
New and Pending Home Sales Fall
The annual pace of new home sales fell in April according to the Commerce Department. Year-over-year sales of new homes fell to a pace of 591,000 sales as compared to the March reading of 709,000 sales of new homes. Analysts expected a year-over-year pace of 750,000 new home sales in April. Rising home prices and mortgage rates challenged first-time and moderate-income home buyers, which caused … [Continue Reading...]
Are you applying for a mortgage on your home? Keep in mind that a mortgage is a major financial decision and choosing one will have a significant impact on the rest of your life. Many people go into this decision without understanding all of the essential mortgage information they need to know, which means that they are likely to make poor choices that will result in paying much more than they need to. If you want to save yourself from throwing away your hard earned money, here are a few common mistakes to avoid: Trying To Bottom Out the Market Many people will wait too long to make a decision to lock in their mortgage rate, trying to wait until they think that the rates have hit bottom. … [Continue Reading...]
Refinancing a home loan can provide numerous benefits, but it can also seem daunting and intimidating to some. Many homeowners would love to lower their interest rate or take advantage of other benefits associated with refinancing, but they are concerned about the time and expense associated with refinancing their current mortgage. The FHA Streamline Refinance loan program is designed to provide those who currently have an FHA loan with an easier way to refinance their mortgage, and this may be a desirable option for many. No Appraisal Needed One common complaint that people have when applying for refinancing relates to the expenses and time, and the appraisal can have a big impact on both … [Continue Reading...]
One of the most significant challenges that many people face when preparing to buy a first home relates to saving money for a down payment. While there are many different loan programs with varying down payment requirements, the fact is that it can still be difficult to save up a large sum of money. Some programs may require you to save as much as 10 percent or 20 percent of the sales price of the home. You can employ a few different tips and techniques to save money for a down payment more quickly, and these are some of the options that others have successfully used to save money for their home purchase. Make Saving Automatic One idea that works well for many people is to make saving for … [Continue Reading...]
With many people spending more time at home, lots of homeowners are taking advantage of the opportunity to improve their houses. If you are thinking about making an upgrade to your house, you probably have a budget you would like to stick to. On the other hand, there are several home renovations you should splurge on if you want to maximize the return on your investment. Renovate The Kitchen Many people say that the kitchen is the center of the house. This is where you will spend a lot of your time, and a lot of your guests will congregate in the kitchen as well. Because of how important the kitchen is to not only yourself but a prospective homebuyer, this is where you can maximize the … [Continue Reading...]
