Many people look forward to the long, relaxed, sunny days of summer, but they also dread opening up their energy bills throughout the summer months. Cooling a home can be costly, and many are searching for convenient ways to lower cooling costs without sacrificing on comfort inside the home on the warmest days of the year. These are just a few of the cost-effective and convenient options that can help homeowners to reduce cooling costs throughout the summer. Keep The Blinds Closed A significant amount of heat can enter a home through the windows, and blinds and curtains provide an extra layer of insulation between the window glass and the interior of the home. Some types of blinds and … [Continue Reading...]
Right now, there are not a lot of houses for sale, as inventory and new home construction continue to lag behind buyer demand. In addition, low mortgage rates are accelerating demand, meaning that in many situations the sellers are receiving multiple offers. Therefore, it is important for potential buyers to do everything they can to win a bidding war. What are a few ways buyers can give themselves an advantage? Get Pre-Approved For A Home Loan The first thing interested buyers need to do is to get pre-approved for a home loan. Because many sellers have options, they might be more willing to take a cash offer because they know the money is going to be there. In order for potential buyers to … [Continue Reading...]
There are many people wondering where the housing market is going next. While interest rates might be low, attracting a lot of buyers, there are some potential homeowners who are concerned about the current demand in the housing market. This could be driving up home prices, causing some people to pause. Furthermore, some people might be hesitant to sell because they are worried they might have a hard time finding a new home in the current market. What do the experts have to say? Homes Might Start To Sell Faster As the weather begins to warm up, the traditional moving season is unfolding. A lot of people like to wait until the late spring and early summer to move because they are worried … [Continue Reading...]
There are thousands of people who turn 65 every day, which is the typical retirement age. Before the development of the pandemic, most people had to wait to retire before they could move to their retirement homes. Due to the pandemic, a lot of people are working remotely, giving them a chance to move to their retirement homes before they actually retire. Is it a smart idea to move before retiring? If the next phase of life is calling, now might be a time to make the move to a retirement home, whether this is a home on the beach or a sprawling property located in the countryside. Workers Can Be Just As Productive Working From Home While the pandemic was unexpected, workers have been gradually … [Continue Reading...]
Last week’s economic news included readings from the National Association of Home Builders on housing markets and Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. NAHB: Home Builder Sentiment Slips Amid High Materials Prices, Labor Shortages The National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index fell two points to a May index reading of 81. Readings above 50 indicate that most home builders are confident in market conditions, but builder sentiment has fallen from its peak reading of 90 before the pandemic. The NAHB Housing Market reached its lowest reading of 37 during the … [Continue Reading...]
The Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve said in its post-meeting statement that the Federal Reserve expects to raise its benchmark interest rate range twice during 2023. No rate changes will be made during 2022 as the economy continues to recover from the Covid-19 pandemic. The Fed’s current interest rate range is 0.00 to 0.25 percent. Fed Expects "Transitory" Inflation The Fed's post-meeting FOMC statement said that although Committee members adjusted their forecast for raising the Fed's benchmark interest rate range, members did not predict long-term inflation and described current upward inflation as "transitory." The Consumer Price Index reported that the … [Continue Reading...]
