While home prices for starter to mid-range homes are pushing upward toward pre-recession peaks, especially in secondary markets, they’re stabilizing in higher-priced areas. Here, Bankrate offers some tips for adapting to the latest market conditions. First-time homebuyers: Get that starter home now More than half of the home sales (52 percent) in 2017 are…
Every successful home search begins with a wish list. Armed with your inventory of must-haves, you’ll know how to focus your search and recognize a potential home that isn’t worth your time. However, it seems the more you look, the longer that wish list seems to grow. Sooner or later, you have to own up to the…
A lot of money, thought and preparation go into acquiring real estate. Since it likely is not a purchase you make often, Realtor.com offers these tips to help guide you through the home-buying procedure and save you from some unnecessary stress in the process. 1. Know what you can afford before you start looking Finding the ideal home would…
Traditional home-buying methods such as open houses are important, especially in hot markets. In areas where inventory is low and demand is high, even a weekday morning open house can draw a crowd. Trulia offers six suggestions on how to conquer the open-house hordes and come out with an accepted offer in hand. 1. Request…
There’s no doubt that millennials have finally entered the housing market. In fact, they currently make up 35 percent of buyers throughout the U.S. Approximately 68 percent of all first-time home buyers fall into this age bracket as well. But what do they want inside their homes? Here, RISMedia uncovered the four main features millennials…
Freddie Mac’s most recent Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows the 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping to its lowest mark since November 10, 2016. “The 10-year Treasury yield fell 6 basis points this week amid concerns over lagging inflation,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “The 30-year mortgage rate also declined for the fourth consecutive…
Many home buyers fantasize about purchasing a run-down shack and transforming it into a palace. But should you actually do it? Fixer-uppers aren’t for everyone, and here, Realtor.com offers six factors to consider if this type of house is right for you. Fixer-uppers are bargains One of the most obvious reasons to purchase a fixer-upper…
Just because lender lets you borrow the maximum possible amount on a mortgage, that doesn’t mean you should take them up on the offer. Wondering how much of your monthly income to comfortably spend on your home? Trulia shows how to crunch your own numbers first to determine how much mortgage you can afford. Calculate your…
Think bigger is better? Well, most of today’s home shoppers don’t. According to a new realtor.com survey, the homes that are in most demand by buyers in a hyper-competitive real estate environment have just three bedrooms and two baths. Ranch-style homes top the wish lists of 42 percent of home seekers surveyed by realtor.com this spring. But more than…
Everyone loves the idea of indoor-outdoor living. And when you’re selling a home, staging your outdoor space can be an important way to show off one of your home’s best features while attracting prospective buyers. Whether your property has a sweeping lawn or a small city balcony, Redfin suggests some ways you can help buyers envision…