Last week's economic reports included readings on inflation, the minutes of the most recent meeting of the Fed's Federal Open Market Committee and weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims. The University of Michigan released its Consumer Sentiment Index for April. Inflation Grows, Fed Indicates Future Rate Hikes Likely The minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee Meeting held March 20 and 21 indicate Fed policymakers are likely to increase the target federal funds rate at their June meeting. Economic indicators including strong labor markets and low unemployment … [Read more...]
Archives for April 2018
Over 5 Trillion Dollars In Home Equity May Lead To More Cash Out Transactions
US homeowners now have over 5 trillion dollars in home equity which is a very large amount of money! So this year may be the year for a lot of cash out refinances and other home equity mortgage products. Most often, when you are purchasing a home, you are buying at or below the appraised value and you are making a down payment. The good news is this means you have "instant equity" in your home. And over time you build more equity as you make your monthly mortgage payments as well as any potential home price appreciation. This build up of equity gets some homeowners thinking about taking … [Read more...]
How The 2018 Tax Changes Can Affect Your Mortgage
When the chatter was at its peak on the 2018 tax law changes being proposed, one of the big areas of concern for homeowners was the elimination of the mortgage interest deduction. Right behind that issue was a similar treatment with regards to property tax deductions. As the rumors swirled and Congress moved, many feared both deductions had finally met their day and were going to be entirely eliminated, resulting in a major financial hit that many homeowners and particularly those in high real estate cost states would have felt painfully. As it turned out, there's no reason to panic or … [Read more...]
Tips For Home Buying In The Digital Age
The digital age has changed the way buyers browse for and purchase goods and services, including real estate. While home buyers still can check out property listings via a print newspaper or by driving through desired neighborhoods in hopes of finding a "for sale" sign, digital sources offer more options and can make the home buying process easier. The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) states in their 2017 Report: Real Estate in a Digital Age, that 44-percent of home buyers look online when beginning their search. Social Media As Sources For Home Buyers According to the Pew … [Read more...]
Green Technology To Reduce Your Home’s Carbon Footprint
When you are a homeowner looking to reduce your carbon footprint, there are a number of steps you can take to make your home earth-friendly. From passive solar heating to solar panels, you can make a difference in the impact your home has on the environment. Even when you aren't building a new home, changes can be made to an existing property to increase efficiency and reduce reliance on utility systems. Invest In Solar Power Solar panels are one of the most popular ways to reduce your carbon footprint, and with good reason. Solar panels often produce enough electricity so that you have … [Read more...]