If you’ve ever dreamed of moving to Denver, Seattle or Dallas-Fort Worth, you’ll have plenty of competition to buy a house this year. According to Zillow, those three cities rank among the top 10 hottest real estate markets of 2016. Zillow used three variables to determine the “hotness score” of the nation’s leading housing markets:…
You might think that refinancing your mortgage to a shorter-term loan is a win-win: You save on interest and pay off your home sooner. But many mortgage experts say there are better ways to invest extra money you might have than putting it into your home. After all, paying off your home is just one…
The new year brings some good news to borrowers as mortgage rates dipped just below 4% in the latest survey of lenders. Freddie Mac’s just-released report shows the following average rates for the most popular home loan terms: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.97% with an average 0.6 point for the week ending Jan. 7, 2016….
Let’s take a look at the way Real Estate Tax Rates have changed over time, state by state. States with lower tax rates will be reddish-brown and higher tax rates are represented by light blue coloring. Source: WalletHub Here are the nine states (and one district) with the lowest average real estate tax (as of in 2015.)…
When your house is in need of some serious TLC, it can be tough finding room in your budget for renovations and repairs. One way to pay for those projects is by refinancing your home with a Federal Housing Administration-backed 203(k) loan. The FHA provides mortgage insurance on loans originated by lenders, backing them financially…
There is basically no such thing as a completely stress-free homebuying experience, but following these steps can significantly reduce your stress to some small doses of natural anxiety. Get Educated About Your True Price Range You can easily reduce future stress by not spending more than you can truly afford. There are some standard rules…
Understanding mortgages can really help you get a better grasp of the homebuying process. Take a look at these simple definitions to better understand at least part of the mortgage world. –Underwriting: The process that a lender goes through when deciding whether or not to extend credit. There are many determining factors in this decision such…
1. Keep the heat in and the cold out! Improve your home’s energy consumption by up to 30% by upgrading your insulation. Insulation saves more than 600 times more energy than CFLs, Energy Star Appliances, and Energy Star windows…combined. 2. Don’t let money go down the drain Fixing that leaky faucet that’s been dripping for a…
Attending an open house can be a bit overwhelming at first, especially if it’s crowded and hectic. But if you can take the following advice, you’ll be ahead of the pack and gain some great insights. The Surroundings Clearly, the focus on at an open house is, well, the house, as it should be. But…
For a musician, there’s nothing better than playing “in the pocket.” That’s when the rhythm, the tone, the feel — everything is just right; you’re in the zone. You can also be “in the pocket” financially, with minimal debt, plenty of retirement savings and ample cash flow. If that’s the case, you might be considering…
