Last month, in a post on the Liberty Street Economics blog, the Federal Reserve Bank of New York noted that Americans believe buying a home is definitely or probably a better investment than buying stocks. Last week, a Gallup Poll reaffirmed those findings. In an article on the current real estate market, Gallup reports: “Gallup usually finds that Americans regard real estate as the best Continue Reading about Americans See Real Estate as a Better Investment Than Stocks or Gold
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Why Waiting to Buy a Home Could Cost You a Small Fortune
Many people are sitting on the fence trying to decide if now’s the time to buy a home. Some are renters who have a strong desire to become homeowners but are unsure if buying right now makes sense. Others may be homeowners who are realizing that their current home no longer fits their changing needs. To determine if they should buy now or wait another year, they both need to ask two simple Continue Reading about Why Waiting to Buy a Home Could Cost You a Small Fortune
Planning to Move? You Can Still Secure a Low Mortgage Rate on Your Next Home
This year, mortgage rates have started to slowly climb above recent record-breaking lows. Many homeowners planning to move may feel like they’ve missed the chance to score a great rate on their next mortgage. In reality, there’s still time to secure a rate far below the historic norm. Here’s why. After creeping up for seven consecutive weeks, average mortgage rates have dropped Continue Reading about Planning to Move? You Can Still Secure a Low Mortgage Rate on Your Next Home
Your Tax Refund and Stimulus Savings May Help You Achieve Homeownership This Year
If you’re planning to buy a home this year, saving for a down payment is one of the most important steps in the process. One of the best ways to jumpstart your savings is by starting with the help of your tax refund. Using data from the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), it’s estimated that Americans can expect an average refund of $2,925 when filing their taxes Continue Reading about Your Tax Refund and Stimulus Savings May Help You Achieve Homeownership This Year
Don’t Sell on Your Own Just Because It’s a Sellers’ Market
In a sellers’ market, some homeowners might be tempted to try to sell their house on their own (known as For Sale By Owner, or FSBO) instead of working with a trusted real estate professional. When the inventory of homes for sale is as low as it is today, buyers are eager to snatch up virtually any house that comes to market. This makes it even more tempting Continue Reading about Don’t Sell on Your Own Just Because It’s a Sellers’ Market
Make It Sparkle: Eight Tips for Adding Instant Curb Appeal
You want to sell your home in the shortest possible time for the highest possible price, right? Of course that is every seller’s goal and it’s your Realtor’s goal as well. So here’s a handy 7 Additional Quick Fixes To Make A Great First Impression When Selling A Home you need to do to make that happen. Follow the 50% rule. Look at every flat surface in your house and take at least 50% of the Continue Reading about Make It Sparkle: Eight Tips for Adding Instant Curb Appeal
Making the Right Move: A Checklist for Homebuyers
Whether you are a A Case of Cold Feet: How to Handle the First Time Homebuyer or an experienced homeowner, buying a new home is always stressful. Here’s a handy checklist of six things you can do up front to make the process a lot easier. Before you start packing, here’s what you need to do. Prepare a budget. You need a clear picture of your family’s finances before you even think about calling Continue Reading about Making the Right Move: A Checklist for Homebuyers
Ready, Set, Sell: Checklist for Home Sellers
When home buyers drive your neighborhood, or when Realtors are previewing for their clients, what do they see? You never get a second chance to make a first impression, so make sure your home has the The Wow Factor: Seven Quick Curb Appeal Tips that makes people go “wow.” Take a walk around your property right now—front to back. Pretend you’re a prospective buyer. Do you like what you see? Here Continue Reading about Ready, Set, Sell: Checklist for Home Sellers