Blog – Page 698 of 756

03 Jan 2014

5 Ways To Use Your Dead Christmas Tree

Around The Home

The holiday season is coming to an end. It's time to pack up the stockings, and take the ornaments off the tree. That tree was a beautiful Christmas decoration, but now that the evergreen is turning brown, and its needles are falling all over the carpet, you realize it's time to get it out of the house. But don't just throw it away. You have several options. Here are five interesting ways to use your dead Christmas tree. It's For The Birds Keep the tree in its stand and set it outside. You can put some birdhouses in it, or…

02 Jan 2014

By Mark Feder

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Face The Numbers, A Mortgage That Works For You

Home Mortgage Tips

Before taking out a mortgage to buy a home, it's time to take a realistic survey of your finances so that you can determine your price range and what size of home you can comfortably afford. Buying a home that suits your finances will mean that your mortgage payments will be easily within your budget and won't cause you financial stress. Stay In Your Price Range Many people, when offered a large mortgage by the bank, are tempted to buy homes that are outside of their price range. It's easy to see why a larger property or a more luxurious…

31 Dec 2013

By Mark Feder

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New Home Sales Show Healthy Year-Over-Year Increase

Housing Analysis

The holiday season and winter weather slowed home sales in November. Last week, the NAR reported that sales of existing homes had slumped to their lowest level in nearly a year, but this was not unexpected. Short supplies of available homes and rising mortgage rates have increased pent-up demand for homes have kept some buyers on the sidelines. Improvement In The Labor Market 4.90 existing homes were sold in November; this was lower than the 5.13 million existing homes sold in October, as well as lower than expectations of 5.00 million existing home sales in November. Existing home sales…

30 Dec 2013

By Mark Feder

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 30, 2013

Mortgage Rates

The University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index was improved for December at 82.5, after the November reading was adjusted from 82.5 to 75. Analysts noted that consumers were relieved when legislative gridlock ended. Durable goods orders reached their highest level since May with November’s reading of + 3.5 percent. Without the volatile transportation sector, the reading for November was +1.2 percent. This could be a sign of economic recovery for manufacturing, as more orders are being placed. Economists expected an overall increase of 2.0 percent for overall durable goods orders. The U.S. Commerce Department provided housing markets with good news…