Posted on money.cnn.com, August 2014 Are you ready to hit the pavement (or the web) looking for a new home? Here are some steps to take before you go. Step 1: Decide where you want to live. Your first step here is to figure out what city or neighborhood you want to live in. (Remember the old saw about “location, location, location.”) For overall demographics and data on metropolitan … [Read more...]
Home Buying Quiz: How much do you know?
October 28, 2014 by
From money.cnn.com, August 2014 From mortgages to closing costs, here are five questions to test your knowledge of these homebuying essentials. Answers appear at the bottom of this quiz. Question 1: How will a bad credit score effect your ability to buy a home? A. I may not qualify for a mortgage B. I may need a bigger down payment C. I’ll have to pay a higher mortgage … [Read more...]
Buying a home with family
October 28, 2014 by
By Marcie Geffner, Bankrate.com, August 2014 Suppose you’re buying a home. And suppose, too, that you have an elderly parent or adult child who’d like to live in your home with you. Why not buy a home together as a family? If that sounds smart to you, you’re not alone. Multigenerational living is ‘in’ In fact, a recent study by the National Association of Realtors found that 14 percent … [Read more...]
The Best State To Make A Living In 2014
August 25, 2014 by
by Kathryn Dill, Forbes.com, June 9th, 2014 Virginia declares itself to be “For Lovers” and Texas admonishes visitors not to “Mess With” it, while North Dakota simply describes itself as “Legendary.” But does the quality of life and work in these states live up to the slogans? To determine the Best And Worst States to Make a Living, personal finance site MoneyRates.com used data from the … [Read more...]
Jobs Report: Hiring Up, Unemployment Down
August 25, 2014 by
By Annalyn Kurtz, Money.CNN.com, July 3, 2014 The U.S. economy added 288,000 jobs in June, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported Thursday. That number beats economists’ expectations and comes along with other good news: Job growth was revised higher for both May and April. Taken altogether, that means employers added 1.4 million jobs in the first six months of the … [Read more...]
Hiring Surge: Unemployment Dips to 6.1 Percent
August 25, 2014 by
By Josh Boak, KomoNews.com, July 3, 2014 U.S. employers accelerated their hiring in June 2014, adding a robust 288,000 jobs and helping drive the unemployment rate to 6.1 percent, the lowest since September 2008. It was the fifth straight monthly job gain above 200,000 - the best such stretch since the late 1990s tech boom. In the past 12 months, the economy has added nearly 2.5 … [Read more...]
FSBOs Must Be Ready to Negotiate
July 6, 2014 by
In a recovering market, some sellers might be tempted to try and sell their home on their own (FSBO) without using the services of a real estate professional. The real estate agent is a trained and experienced negotiator. In most cases, the seller is not. The seller must realize the ability to negotiate will determine whether they get the best deal for themselves and their family. Here is a … [Read more...]
5 REASONS TO BUY A HOME NOW
March 26, 2014 by
Based on prices, mortgage rates and soaring rents, there may have never been a better time in real estate history to purchase a home than right now. Here are five major reasons purchasers should consider buying. 1. Competition is about to Increase Every spring a surge of prospective purchasers enter the housing market. Like you, they will want the best homeavailable in the best location at … [Read more...]
5 REASONS TO SELL NOW
March 26, 2014 by
Many sellers are still hesitant about putting their house up for sale. Where are prices headed? Where are interest rates headed? Can buyers qualify for a mortgage? These are all valid questions. However, there are several reasons to sell your home sooner rather than later. Here are five of those reasons. 1. The Most Serious Buyers Are Out Now Most people realize that the housing market is … [Read more...]
