First-time homebuyers can make the purchase rewarding with careful planning and financial honesty A glimmer of positive movement surfaced in the real estate market this week—pending home sales increased for the second straight month. Low interest rates make purchasing a home very attractive now. For first-time homebuyers, the process can be intimidating, but breaking down … Continued
Pay off your credit cards on time and in full, skip the new car or the new furniture. Banks and mortgage companies want to see financial stability with no big changes. Anxious to close on the house? Sometimes the waiting period between finding your perfect place and driving up to your new home with keys … Continued
Cooling in the summer, warming in the winter, ceiling fans sweep away energy costs The July sizzle is in the air, a blanket of humidity has descended over the metro area and air conditioners are working overtime. One inexpensive solution to help the AC is adding ceiling fans to your home. If you choose an … Continued
Affordable, reasonably priced homes are waiting for new buyers
 The St. Charles region is in real estate bounce back mode with sales of existing homes up 15 percent during the first quarter of this year as compared to the same time last year. The median home price rose to $169,000, a $2,000 increase, beating the … Continued
Jobs, continued low interest and a variety of housing choices encourage potential buyers Positive signs are beginning to indicate an upturn in the real estate market. The Labor Department announced a decline in unemployment filings as layoffs ease and hiring slowly increases. Economists are encouraged that the economy is getting closer to generating job gains, … Continued
Homebuyers can take advantage of a variety of tax credits to choose the perfect home. An array of financial assistance for home purchase is available for qualified buyers in just about every income level. Of course there’s the $8,000 tax credit for first-time buyers and $6,500 for repeat buyers, which expire on June 30, but … Continued
Every last piece of paper has been signed, the closing was successful, and there were handshakes all around. So, what now? You own a house and ready buy all the appliances and soup makers from productspy.co.uk you’ve always dreamed to have on your kitchen. But it’s not really your home yet. Home ownership is exciting and sometimes … Continued
Environmental psychologist Toby Israel, author of a new book, Some Place Like Home: Using Design Psychology to Create Ideal Place, says people’s childhood homes have a profound effect on what kinds of homes they like best. Before anyone buys, builds, rents or remodels, Israel believes they should consider what kinds of living spaces satisfy them, … Continued
What do you think of this—buying a home with an interest rate one percent below the current rate; no closing costs; no income restrictions and no points. With the current instability in the housing market, this may seem to fit in the too-good-to-be-true category. But, it is true. The Neighborhood Assistance Corporation of America (NACA), … Continued
Don’t be surprised if your friendly lender, the one who invites you to sit down and apply for a mortgage, ushers you politely out the door empty-handed after you’ve chatted a bit. The sudden chill isn’t personal. The Mortgage Bankers Association, or MBA, in Washington, D.C., estimates that about half of all mortgage applicants are … Continued
Freddie Mac reports a drop in the 30-year fixed mortgage rate to 4.98 percent during the week ended March 19 from 5.03 percent the prior year, marking the lowest rate since 4.96 percent in mid-January. Experts say rates could fall further in response to the Federal Reserve’s announcement that it will add $1.2 trillion to … Continued
For decades homeowners have been lured by big city lights, leaving small towns and rural areas for a more urban experience. The tide may be turning again, and if you are interested in country living, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) has a deal for you. The terms are extraordinary—no down payment, 100% financing … Continued
10. The First Time Home Buyer Tax Credit of $8,000 can generate $100,000 Net Equity or Net Worth in 8 years with an average of 5% annual appreciation! 9. 8 out of 10 economists agree homes will appreciate over the next 5 years. 8. St. Charles has been selected by Forbes & Money Magazines as … Continued
Affordable housing stock is one of most important components that will stimulate the housing crisis, and in turn, provide a solid foundation for economic recovery as well. The good news is recent indicators reveal that, with the decline in prices, housing is more affordable and that buyers are beginning to sign more sales contracts. According … Continued
Now is a good—check that—great time to buy a house. So say real estate leaders in St. Charles County, among the nation’s fastest-growing areas until the housing slump rolled in last year. Karen Vennard, president of the St. Charles County Association of Realtors, said today that stable house prices and low low mortgage rates mean … Continued