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The Top Seasonal DIY Home Improvement ProjectsThere are many people who are spending more time at home these days. As a result, it is important for everyone to take steps to try to improve their quality of life at home. This means seasonal home improvement projects. With the weather nice outside, it is a great idea for everyone to think about how they can get ready for the next season. Therefore, there are a few top seasonal Home Improvement projects everyone should keep in mind.

One of the first projects that everyone should work on has to do with their HVAC unit. Right now, people probably are not running their HVAC unit much right now. Therefore, this is the perfect time for everyone to make sure they get their HVAC unit maintained. That way, if there are any issues that are spotted, they can be addressed before the HVAC unit is needed. 

Check The Roof And Gutters For Signs Of Issues

It is critical for homeowners to make sure they keep their gutters clear. Otherwise, rainwater might not be able to drain from the roof away from the house. This could contribute to roofing leaks that could wind up as expensive repair bills. For this reason, all homeowners should take the time to check their shingles, their flashing, their edging, and their gutters. This will make sure the house stays safe when the weather turns down. 

Look For Entry Points For Any Pests

Finally, homeowners also have to make sure they are able to keep any potential infestations away from their homes. There are lots of pests that are going to try to get inside the home as the temperature starts to drop outside. This could include silverfish, ants, cockroaches, and termites. When homeowners take the time to look for these entry points ahead of time, they can prevent these infestations from taking place. 

Think About Home Improvement Projects Now

These are a few of the top home improvement projects that all homeowners need to keep in mind. It is critical to take the time now to carry out these home improvement projects while the weather is nice. This can prevent problems in the future.

 

There are many people who are spending more time at home these days. As a result, it is important for everyone to take steps to try to improve their quality of life at home. This means seasonal home improvement projects. With the weather nice outside, it is a great idea for everyone to think about how they can get ready for the next season. Therefore, there are a few top seasonal Home Improvement projects everyone should keep in mind.

 

Interesting Facts To Know About MortgagesMany people have heard that there are a lot of changes taking place in the real estate market right now. As a result, a lot of people are thinking about purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing mortgage.

When looking at a mortgage, many people focus on the interest rate, the term of the loan, and the size of the loan. Even though these are all important factors to consider, it might be helpful to take a look at a few fun facts about mortgages as well.

Where Did The Word Come From?

When people take out a student loan, a car loan, or a personal loan, that is exactly what they are called. Why is a home loan called a mortgage? There's actually comes from an old French word. In French, it was spelled “Mort Gaige,” which stands for deal pledge. Then, when the mortgage was paid off, it was deemed “dead.” This word has carried over into the modern era. 

The Red Door In Scotland

Mortgages are used to provide people with home loans all over the world. This includes Scotland. When homeowners are finished paying off their home loans in Scotland, they paint their door red. For those who plan on traveling to Scotland in the near future, it may be fun to keep an eye open for these red doors. 

Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac Combine For The Majority Of Mortgages In The United States

Most people have heard a Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. These two entities combine two back close to half of all mortgages in the United States. Therefore, they play a major role in helping people finance their homes. 

Homeowners Depend On Mortgages For Almost All Home Loans

Many people have to go with paying off their mortgage and owning their home outright. This is a great goal to have; however, many people purchase mortgages that are 30 years in length. Therefore, it should come as no surprise that the vast majority of homeowners depend on mortgages for just about every home purchase.

Mortgages Have An Interesting History

Mortgages have an interesting and unique history behind them. As the market continues to pick up, it will be interesting to see what happens next.

 

Understanding The Difference Between A Co-Borrower And A Co-Signer: What Do They Mean?There is a lot of jargon that comes with purchasing a home. Even though this could be confusing, purchasing a home is also a significant decision. Therefore, it is critical for everyone to understand exactly what they are signing before they scribbled their name on the dotted line. In some cases, a co-borrower or a co-signer (also called a non-occupying co-borrower) could be needed to strengthen the application. What is the difference between these two terms? 

What Is A Co-Borrower?

First, a co-borrower is simply a co-owner. Both names are on the title of the home. The co-borrower also shares the responsibility of the debt. This arrangement is usually used when two people are purchasing a home together. Usually, the primary borrower is going to be the person with the higher credit score. At the same time, the credit scores of both owners will be taken into consideration. 

What Is A Co-Signer?

Also called a nonoccupying co-borrower, a cosigner is similar to a guarantor. Legally, a cosigner will not have any claim on the home. They will not take possession of the home and their name will not go on the title. On the other hand, they are still financially responsible for paying back the loan. In the event the primary borrower is unable to meet the monthly mortgage payments, the financial responsibility will fall on the cosigner. 

Choose The Right Co-Borrower Or Co-Signer

It is critical for everyone to make sure they choose the right cosigner if they need one. Ideally, a primary borrower will be able to file a successful home application on his or her own. On the other hand, if the bank or credit union says that a cosigner or co-borrower is needed, it is critical to find someone who is reliable and trustworthy. Remember that they are going to be responsible for paying back a loan in the event the primary borrower cannot make the monthly mortgage payments.

Remember that a co-borrower is going to be listed as another owner of the home. In contrast, a cosigner is financially responsible but does not have any legal claim to the home. Understand the difference before signing a mortgage application. 

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - March 15, 2021Last week’s economic reporting included data on inflation and job openings, and weekly readings n mortgage rates, and jobless claims.

Inflation Rate Rises in February

Consumer prices grew by 0.40 percent in February according to the federal government’s Consumer Price Index; the year-over-year inflation rate rose from January’s reading of 1.40 percent to 1.70 percent. Consumer prices rose at their fastest pace in six months as rising fuel prices caused the jump in consumer prices. The Core Consumer Price Index, which does not include volatile food and fuel sectors, rose by 0.10 percent in February and matched analysts’ expectations.

Analysts expect continued economic expansion as Americans receive stimulus checks, get covid-19 vaccinations, and businesses reopen.

Mortgage Rates Rise as Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported higher mortgage rates last week as the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by three basis points to 3.05 percent. Interest rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 2.38 percent and rose by four basis points. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages also rose by four basis points to 2.77 percent on average.

Jobless claims fell to their lowest level since November. New jobless claims fell to 712,000 claims filed as compared to the prior week’s reading of 754,000 initial claims filed in the prior week. Analysts expected 725,000 first-time claims to be filed. Last week’s reading showed the lowest pace of new jobless claims since November 7, when 211,000 first-time claims were filed.

Continuing jobless claims fell to 4.14 million claims filed as compared to the prior week’s reading of 4.34 million claims filed.  Jobless claims averaged fewer than two million claims filed before the pandemic. Accurate counts of individuals receiving jobless benefits were questioned due to the discovery of fraudulent claims and duplicate counting of some recipients. Analysts were advised to focus on jobless claims trends rather than individual claims data.  

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic news includes the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index, Commerce Department readings on housing starts, and building permits issued. The Federal Reserve’s Federal Open Market Committee will release its post-meeting statement and Fed Chair Janet Yellen will give a press conference. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be released

Moving On Up: Should You Buy Or Sell First?It’s exciting to be able to move into a new home. But there are some tricky details to navigate when you already own a home and you’re ready to buy a new one. Should you buy or sell first? Don’t worry. There are viable solutions.

Should You Sell First?

Think about how selling your home first will impact your family. On the one hand, you’ll be in a better financial position. You’ll have cash in the bank. You may be able to negotiate better terms on your new house by putting more down. However, selling first may mean moving into temporary housing while you find a new house to buy. You might need to store your furnishings. In other words, you may need to move twice.

Should You Buy First?

Buying first gives you more stability. You can stay in your own home until you’re able to move into the new house. When you do move, there won’t be a big rush. You could move over the course of a week or even more. The downside to buying first is that you might be responsible for paying two mortgages for a month or more. There’s no guarantee that your home will sell in a predetermined length of time. And, there’s no guarantee you’ll get the amount of money for your old home that you need to be financially secure.

Viable Solutions No Matter What You Do

Thankfully, there are solutions no matter how you decide. If you sell your home first, you could ask your buyers for a later closing date so that you have time to find a new home. You could even ask them if you can lease your old home on a month-to-month basis so that you have time to buy a new home.

If you buy a new home first, you could get a bridge loan, that helps you pay the second mortgage until you sell your old home. You could also rent out your old home to help offset your mortgage payment.

As you can see, there are ways of making both scenarios work. Whether you decide to buy first or sell first, your real estate agent can help you make it happen.

Planning a Move With Your PetsAs a pet owner, you’re probably just as excited to see how your pet loves the new house as you are yourself. It’s fun to watch as your pets explore the new digs. But moving can be stressful for pets. Here are some tips for making the move as stress-free as you can for your furry loved ones!

Acclimate Your Pets To A Pet Carrier

If you travel infrequently, your pets may not be used to being inside the confined space of a pet carrier. Help them get used to it by placing it on the floor near where they sleep. Put some of their favorite toys or blankets inside and encourage them to spend time in there. Once inside, bring Fido or kitty for a short ride in the family car; just once or twice around the block is plenty. Do this a couple of times a week and always reward them afterward with a treat or some petting.

Keep Pets Isolated On Moving Day

Moving day will be scary for your pets. To keep them calm and safe, isolate them in a separate room in the house. You could place food and water bowls in a spare bathroom along with a blanket to rest on. Put a sign on the door so the moving men don’t enter. Isolating pets on moving day will also prevent pets from running outside, where they might run off out of fear or confusion.

Let Pets Adjust To Your New Home Slowly

Even if you have pets that are savvy and accustomed to being outdoors, you don’t want to let them outside when you first move. They may become disoriented and try to walk back to the old house. Or they could encounter a neighborhood animal that isn’t friendly. For a few days after you move into your new home, keep little Fluffy indoors. There will be plenty of time for them to transition into the backyard if that’s something you want for your pets.

Your pets will grow to love your new home, but it’s important to let them take it slow. These three tips may help with the transition. Above all, help them to feel comfortable with the traveling and keep them away from the activity on the actual moving day.

Buy A Home This Year To Build WealthIt is important for everyone to diversify their investments. When people hear this term, they usually think about diversifying their investments across stocks, bonds, and mutual funds. In addition, it is also a prudent idea to leave the traditional financial markets and look for other sources of wealth as well.

This includes real estate. Without a doubt, this has been a challenging year. At the same time, those who are looking to build wealth should consider purchasing a house this year. There are several reasons why.

Mortgage Loans Are At Historic Lows

Those who have checked mortgage rates recently have probably found that they are close to historic lows. Therefore, a lot of people who would otherwise not be able to afford a home might be able to purchase a home at a relatively low price. Because interest rates are so low, this has the potential to save someone tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. Even those who already have a mortgage are refinancing their homes anyway because of the significant difference. It is not often that homeowners have the opportunity to purchase a home at such a low price. 

Real Estate Values Are Likely To Rise In The Future

Even though it is impossible to protect the real estate market with 100 percent certainty, there is a solid chance that real estate values are likely to rise in the future. Because the real estate market is depressed right now, many people believe that the only place the market has to go is up. There is no telling when the market is going to be this low again. As a result, those who are looking to make an investment in the real estate market should take advantage of the unique opportunity at the present time. 

Diversify Investments In Real Estate To Build Wealth

Ultimately, there are a lot of challenges regarding looking for a home right now; however, those who are able to take advantage of the current opportunity have a chance to build wealth. Even though this might not be the perfect time to buy a home, it might be as close as the market gets. Consider looking for a new home today.

 

In Less Than An Hour A Day, A Home Can Be Organized QuicklyOrganizing a home seems like a significant challenge. Fortunately, there are easier ways to make this happen. In less than an hour per day, it is possible to organize a home from top to bottom. Getting these unnecessary items out of the way might even prevent people from stubbing their toes! How can this be possible? 

Start Getting Rid Of Unnecessary Items

Start by creating two boxes. The first box should have the word “donate” written on it. The second box should have the “trash” written on it. Then, go through every room in the home. Find items that can be donating. Take them to a local Goodwill or Salvation Army. Remember to get a receipt because these items may be tax-deductible, as long as you work with a trained tax professional.

Then, take items that can be thrown away and place them in the “trash” box. Be prepared to throw these out. This will instantly create more room in the home. 

Target The Spice Cabinet

A lot of homes have unnecessary space wasted in the spice cabinet. Think about organizing them alphabetically. Be sure to check if any spices have expired, as they might need to be tossed out. Once the spices are all in the right spot, there will be a lot more space in the kitchen. That way, it will be easier to organize utensils, appliances, plates, bowls, cups, and the pantry itself.

Time To Deal With The Decorations

Once the holidays are over, it is time to organize the decorations. Make sure that each holiday has its own separate box. Then, make sure the boxes stack on top of each other. With a separate box for each holiday, it should be easy to store all the decorations in one place. This will free up a lot of other space in closets, storage areas, and cabinets.

Get The House Organized In An Hour Per Day

Concentrate on each small area, going room by room and "decluttering" as it will create a lot more space in the home, and in sections, it is easier to get everything organized. Ensure that everything has its place. It might even be helpful to write this down somewhere. Even though it might take some time to get used to it, having more open space in the home is never a bad thing!

 

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - March 8, 2021Last week’s scheduled economic news included readings on construction spending and labor sector reports on public and private sector jobs. The national unemployment rate was published along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell also spoke at a jobs summit.

Construction Spending Rises in January

U.S construction spending rose at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 1.70 percent in January as compared to 1.10 percent growth reported in December. Year-over-year construction spending was 5.80 percent higher in January 2021.  Residential construction spending reported in January rose to $713 billion on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis as compared to December 2020’s construction spending pace of $695.70 billion.

Non-residential construction spending in the private sector rose to a seasonally-adjusted annual rate of $447 billion in January as compared to December 2020’s pace of $445.2 billion.

High demand for single-family homes persists as inventories of available homes fall. This scenario contributes to affordability issues that are also influenced by rising building materials costs.

Mortgage Rates, Jobless Claims Mixed

Freddie Mac reported higher rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages, which rose by five basis points and averaged 3.02 percent. Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages were unchanged from the prior week and averaged 2.34 percent. Mortgage rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages dropped by 26 basis points and averaged 2.73 percent. Discount points averaged 0.60 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages and 0.70 percent for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages. Discount points for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 0.30 percent.

First-time jobless claims rose to 745,000 new claims filed as compared to the prior week’s reading of 736,000 new claims filed. Ongoing jobless claims fell last week with 4.30 million continuing claims filed; 4.42 million ongoing claims were filed during the prior week.

Private- Sector Jobs Fall as Public-Sector Jobs Increase

ADP reported 117,000 private-sector jobs added in February as compared to January’s reading of 195,000 private-sector jobs added. The government’s Non-Farm Payrolls report for February showed 379,000 public and private sector jobs added in February; 166,000 public and private-sector jobs were added in January. The national unemployment rate fell to 6.20 percent as compared to January’s reading of 6.30 percent.

Fed Chair Promised to Hold Steady on Monetary Policy

Fed Chair Jerome Powell promised to maintain accommodative monetary policies for the foreseeable future as the Federal Reserve continues striving toward its dual mandate of achieving maximum employment and annual inflation of two percent. When asked about rising long-term rates, Mr. Powell said that he could not commit to reducing the Fed’s asset purchases as he thought that the Fed’s goal of achieving maximum employment was “highly unlikely.”

What’s Ahead

This week’s economic reporting includes readings on inflation and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be released.

Key Points To Note When Drafting A Contract For A Remodeling ContractThere are a lot of homeowners who are thinking about carrying out a home remodel during the current era; however, it is important to understand what goes into a home remodel contract. Even though it can be expensive to get the contract reviewed by an attorney, it is critical to take a close look at the contract to make sure the language is correct.

What are some of the most important points that homeowners should keep in mind when it comes to a contract for a home remodel?

Understand The Basics Of A Home Remodel Contract

First, it is important to understand the basics. The home remodel contract will have a lot of numbers and it can be challenging to understand. In general, the home remodel contract must state that the contractor is going to secure any and all necessary permits and approvals, the payment schedule, when the project will start, and when the project will end. Any home remodel contract should also contact the license number of the contractor and include a few days to rescind the contract without penalty should the homeowner change his or her mind.

Review The Payment Schedule

In addition to understanding the start and end dates, read the payment schedule carefully. The first payment should never be any more than 10 percent of the total cost of the job while the final payment should be approximately a third of the total cost of the project to ensure the contractor actually comes back to fix any issues should something go wrong with the project. The final details of a home remodel are important.

Don’t Jump On The Warranty

Finally, do not jump on the warranty even if it sounds great. A warranty for a home remodel is usually packed with a punch of exclusions that are instituted in favor of the contractor and not the homeowner. There are probably state statutes in place that provide much better protection than any warranty that is offered by a contractor. Furthermore, accepting the warranty will remove this protection from the state. Unless a lawyer says to take the warranty, it is better to turn this down and go with state regulations.

Three Inexpensive Makeovers That Will Boost Your Home's Appeal to Young BuyersWhen preparing to list your home for sale, you may be wondering who will buy your home. While this initial thought may be one spurred by curiosity, the fact is that understanding who your target audience is and what they are looking for in a home may help you to position your home to sell more quickly and for a better price.

If you have determined that there are many younger buyers moving into your area, you may want to make a few changes that will add appeal to this target audience. While you could spend tens of thousands of dollars or more completing a home makeover, there are a few budget-minded ideas that you may consider.

Add Color to Molding and Trim

One of the hottest trends in home décor and interior design is to get rid of the standard white trim and molding and to add color to these areas. Neutral hues like grays and browns have universal appeal, or you can give your space a more contemporary look by adding black to these areas.

Generally, you will want a more neutral color like a creamy beige on the walls when executing a look with colored trim.

Update Light Fixtures

If you have a little more money to spend, you may consider updating your light fixtures. There are rather affordable yet stylish fixtures available in a wide range of finishes.

When your rooms are empty or staged to perfection, the light fixtures can easily set the tone of the room and may be focal points. Outdated fixtures may have limited appeal to young buyers who are looking for a home that is modern and current with today's trends.

Redefine Outdated Spaces

In some older homes, some of the rooms may have originally been built with outdated uses in mind.

Today's younger buyers may be looking for a home with an exercise room, a media room or a study rather than a formal living or dining area. With this in mind, you may consider how you can stage your home to show that it can be used for modern purposes.

This may simply mean moving your formal dining room set into storage, adding French doors and investing in an affordable desk and side chairs for staging purposes. This is just one of several options available that may give your home broader appeal to a younger audience shopping for a modern floor plan.

If you are thinking about renovating your home and you believe that you will likely attract younger buyers to your area, you can consider implementing some of these ideas in your space. 

An Overview of Amortization: It Plays A Role In Monthly Mortgage PaymentsEven though this may sound like a fancy word, amortization is simply a long word for a straightforward topic. Furthermore, it plays a significant role in the determination of monthly mortgage payments.

Before taking out a home loan, homeowners need to understand how their payment schedule works and what this means for the future of the home loan.

Amortization refers to the way monthly payments are calculated to make sure that homeowners pay the same amount every month throughout the life of the loan. Even if homeowners do not stay in the house for the life of the loan, amortization will still play a significant role in the amount of money they receive if they decide to sell the home.

Amortization Plays A Major Role In Calculating Monthly Payments

First, amortization plays a major role in calculating monthly payments because it ensures that homeowners pay the same amount of money over the life of the loan. Even though there is interest on the home loan, and inflation will play a role in the value of money during the life of the loan, the monthly payment is going to stay the same. This is particularly beneficial to homeowners who are still working and believe that their income is going to go up during the life of a 15 year or 30 year mortgage. Even if their income goes up, and even if inflation plays a role, their monthly mortgage payments will still stay the same thanks to amortization.

Amortization Divides Interest And Principal In Monthly Payments

On the other hand, amortization also plays a role in calculating interest versus principal in monthly mortgage payments. At the beginning of the loan, the majority of each monthly payment goes toward interest on the loan. At the end of the loan, the majority of each monthly payment goes toward principal. This also means that if homeowners decide to sell their home at some point during the loan, they might not get as much money as they think because most of their monthly payments have gone toward interest and haven’t built up any equity. This is another key factor homeowners should keep in mind when it comes to amortization.

DIY Lovers: 'Greenify' Your Home with These Three Eco-friendly Home Improvement ProjectsAre you a homeowner who is searching for ways to make your home a bit more eco-friendly? Equipping your home with "green" improvements can save a substantial amount of energy and money, especially over the long term.

In today's post we'll explore a few projects that handy do-it-yourselfers can undertake in order to make a home a bit friendlier to the local environment.

#1: Focus on the Windows

Depending upon the time of year, windows have an impact on both heating and cooling costs. In the summer, older windows can drastically heat up a home causing cooling costs to skyrocket. In the winter, older windows can leak cold air within the home and let out the heat, which causes the heating costs to rise as well.

A simple replacement of older windows can save a homeowner as much as 30 percent on annual energy costs, as newer windows are more efficient at insulating the home against the weather conditions outside.

Combining a window upgrade with other energy-related changes can lead to even greater savings. For example, consider installing a ceiling fan in rooms that are generally occupied – such as the living room or family room – as these can circulate cool and warm air and help to reduce energy use.

During the colder months, use as much solar heating as possible. Open up curtains, and trim trees to allow for natural light to enter the home. The sun heats up the home through radiant heating, which is an effective and essentially free source of energy.

#2: Improve Your Insulation

A home that is properly insulated will help to preserve its heat and cool air. Heat can leak out from the home through cracks, but it can also occur through convection heating. The air within the home will eventually cool down from a steady decline of heat when the heat is transferred outside through the walls.

Beyond hot and cool air leaking out from the home, each room within the home can indirectly influence the temperature in adjoining rooms. This is especially true for the garage and any room that shares common walls. By using insulation in the garage, the home may cool down by as much as 10 degrees Fahrenheit.

#3: Install Smart Thermostats

Some green options simply mean a change in which type of appliances are used. In terms of a thermostat, a "smart" one like the Nest Thermostat can be installed. Use of one can cut energy costs by 20 percent, at minimum, by simply adjusting to the homeowners' schedule.

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - March 1, 2021Last week’s economic reports included readings from Case-Shiller on home prices, the Federal Housing Finance Agency also reported on home prices and the Commerce Department released data on sales of new homes and pending home sales. The University of Michigan released its Consumer Sentiment Index, and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were released.

Case-Shiller Home Price Indices Report Fastest Price Growth in 7 Years

The S&P Case Shiller National Home Price Index reported December home prices rose at the fastest pace since 2014. The National Home Price Index posted a year-over-year home price growth rate of 10.40 percent in December as compared to November’s home price growth rate of 9.50 percent.

Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index posted December home price growth at a year-over-year pace of 10.10 percent as compared to November’s home price growth rate of 9.20 percent according to Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index. Phoenix, Arizona home prices rose at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 14.40 percent; Seattle, Washington home prices held second place with 13.60 percent growth, and San  Diego, California held third place in the 20-City Home Price Index with 13.00 percent home price growth. 18 of 19 cities reported higher home prices;  Detroit Michigan did not report data for December.

The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported year-over-year home price growth of 11.40 percent in December for homes owned or financed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. High demand for homes and short inventories of available and affordable homes created challenges for first-time and moderate-income home buyers. Builders said that rising materials costs and labor shortages continued to impact new home construction.

 

New Home Sales Increase as Shortages of Pre-Owned Homes Persist

The Census Bureau reported 823,000 sales of new homes in January on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Analysts expected 850,000 sales based on December’s reading of 885,000 new homes sold. Homebuyers are turning to new homes as supplies of previously-owned homes are in short supply. Shortages of previously-owned homes continued as homeowners stayed in their homes due to economic uncertainty, unemployment, and ongoing concerns over the pandemic.

 Pending home sales fell by - 2.80 percent in January as compared to December’s reading of - 0.50 percent.

Mortgage Rates Rise as Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported higher average mortgage rates last week. Rates for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose 16 basis points to 2.97 percent; the average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages rose 15 basis points to 2.34 percent. Rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages averaged 22 basis points higher at 2.99 percent. Discount points averaged 0.60 percent for fixed-rate home loans and 0.10 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

First-time jobless claims fell to 730,000 new claims filed from the prior week’s reading of  841,000 initial jobless claims filed. Ongoing jobless claims were also lower; 4.42 million continuing claims were filed last week as compared to 4.52 million ongoing claims filed in the prior week.

The University of Michigan reported an index reading of 76.80 for its Consumer Sentiment Index in February, as compared to January’s index reading of  76.20.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic reports include readings on construction spending, job growth, and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be released.

Common Mistakes The Experienced Homebuyers Tend To MakeWhen people are looking at buying a home, there are a few common mistakes that first-time homebuyers make; however, there are mistakes that seasoned homebuyers make as well. What are the most common mistakes that people make when they are looking for a new home for the second or third time? There are a few key examples to keep in mind. 

Trying To Rush Through The Process

The first mistake that experience homebuyers make is that they try to rush through the process. They feel like they understand exactly how it is going to work because they bought a home the first time. Therefore, they end up rushing, making a few key mistakes in the process. Remember that this is an important financial decision and it is important to take the time to get it right. Nobody should try to rush through this process when they are looking for a new home. 

Not Thinking About Traffic Patterns

Lots of people try to figure out exactly how far they are going to be from school or work when they are looking for a home. On the other hand, people also need to think about traffic patterns. Just because a home is within a few miles of school or work doesn't necessarily mean that the commute is going to be easy. Think about the traffic patterns before making a decision. 

Not Thinking About The Future Of The Neighborhood

Lots of people who are buying a home for the second or third time are planning on being in that home for decades. Therefore, it is important to think about the future of the neighborhood. What is going to happen in the local area? How is that going to impact property values? These are important questions that should be answered before signing on the dotted line. 

Think About These Mistakes Ahead Of Time

When experienced home buyers are looking for a new home, it is important to think about these mistakes ahead of time. When they take the time to think about these mistakes, they ensure they avoid them down the road. That way, they make sure that they end up with the right home at the best price possible.

 

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