Blog – Page 648 of 807

17 Aug 2015

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 17, 2015

Market Outlook

Last week's economic reports related to housing were few and far between other than weekly reports on new jobless claims and Freddie Mac's mortgage rates survey. Mortgage Rates Mixed, Jobless Claims UpFreddie Mac reported that average mortgage rates rose for fixed rate mortgages and dropped for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages. The average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage rose by three basis points to 3.94 percent. The rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage rose by four basis points to 3.17 percent. The average rate for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage fell by two basis points to 2.93 percent.…

14 Aug 2015

By Mark Feder

House Hunting in a New City? Three Ways to Determine Which Neighborhoods Are Up and Coming

Home Buyer Tips

If you're moving to a new city and you're looking for an affordable home in a nice neighborhood, one great way to get a fantastic home without paying sky-high prices is by choosing a home in an up-and-coming neighborhood. Communities that are starting to gentrify make it easy to find an affordable home, especially if you buy before the prices start to rise. So how can you spot a neighborhood that's on the rise? Here's what you need to know. Look For Neighborhoods Popular With Artists & Young People Young people, artists, musicians, performers, and other bohemians tend to lead…

13 Aug 2015

By Mark Feder

Five Required Mortgage Closing Costs – And A Few Tips On How To Minimize Them

Home Mortgage Tips

Mortgages are expensive, and closing costs only add to the financial burden that homebuyers face. But with a little knowledge, you can pinpoint places to save on your mortgage closing costs and keep more money in your pocket. When you're negotiating your next mortgage, use these tips to reduce required closing costs and keep more of your hard-earned money. Title Insurance: Request The Simultaneous Issue Rate Title insurance is an important add-on that no buyer should go without. At the time of closing, there may be a variety of title problems that could arise - like encroachments, easements, unpaid liens,…

12 Aug 2015

By Mark Feder

Real Estate Terminology 101: What Exactly Is A “Buyer’s Market”?

Real Estate Tips

If you've been following the real estate and mortgage industry for any length of time, you've probably heard the phrase "buyer's market" at some point. And although the meaning may seem apparent, it takes some study to understand what actually constitutes a buyer's market. Who decides whether it's a buyer's or seller's market? What's the threshold for deciding between the two? Here's what you need to know. Supply And Demand: Economic Factors That Govern...Everything If you studied economics in school, you'll probably remember an early lesson on supply and demand. Essentially, supply and demand are the two factors that influence…