Posts from May 2014
Coldwell Banker American Homes Blog
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May
30
30
5 Tips for First Time Homebuyers
Congratulations! You are ready to buy a home. Purchasing a home is an exciting life milestone and is a huge decision with so many factors to consider. Finding the right property can be a challenge for growing families. What may seem like a good fit now may not be the best choice for your family in the long run.
Here are our 5 best tips when buying a home for your growing family:
- Neighborhood - Do your research before looking at homes in neighborhoods that aren't convenient for young families. Look into school districts, local parks, neighbors and proximity to doctors and hospitals. Consider the length of your commute to work so that you can maximize the amount of time you have to spend with your family.
- Space – How many...
May
23
23
Choosing the Mortgage That's Right for You
In early April, Freddie Mac reported that the average rate for a 15-year mortgage increased to 3.39 percent from 3.33 percent the previous month, which is still about a point lower than a 30-year mortgage. While these rates are still historically low, some industry experts predict these low rates won't last long. If you're thinking of going for (or refinancing) a 15-year mortgage, now's the time to do it.
The main benefit, of course, is that a 15-year mortgage allows you to pay off your mortgage twice as fast as a 30-year term, while saving a significant amount of money on interest in the process.
A 15-year fixed-rate mortgage has proved popular with young homebuyers as it enables those with sufficient income to meet the higher monthly payments to pay...
May
19
19
Selling this summer? 6 upgrades to secure a speedy sale
(BPT) - When the weather warms up, so does the real estate market. Spring and summer are traditionally the seasons when both home buyers and sellers are most active across the country. If you'll be putting your home on the market this year, simple, cost-effective upgrades can help ensure a speedy sale at a good price.
'In the world of real estate, it's often necessary for sellers to spend a little on upgrades in order to achieve a satisfying home sale,' says Bethany Richmond, communications director for the Carpet & Rug Institute. 'Fortunately, some of the most impressive upgrades, such as new carpeting, are also affordable. Such upgrades ensure that you don't have to spend a lot to achieve a better selling price.'
Here are six easy-to-do upgrades that are both cost-effective and high-impact:
1. Replace carpet
It's easy to see the impact of worn or dated...
May
16
16
Housing Affordability Edges Higher in First Quarter
Slightly lower median home prices along with steady mortgage rates contributed to higher housing affordability in the first quarter, according to the recently released National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Opportunity Index (HOI).
In all, 65.5 percent of new and existing homes sold between the beginning of January and end of March were affordable to families earning the U.S. median income of $63,900. This is slightly higher from the 64.7 percent of homes sold that were affordable to median-income earners in the fourth quarter.
Meanwhile, the national median home price dipped from $205,000 in the fourth quarter to $195,000 in the first quarter while average mortgage interest rates were virtually unchanged,...
May
13
13
Home improvements that make your home more valuable
![20094139_web[1]](/shared/fs/0822/company/blog-media/2014/05/20094139_web1.jpg)
(BPT) - More and more homeowners are embarking upon home improvement projects, spending nearly $200 billion a year on home renovations, according to the National Association of Home Builders. If you're looking to make some home improvements without breaking the bank, spend smartly and invest time and money now into the projects that will pay back later.
Curb appeal
When it comes to first impressions, house hunters first notice curb appeal, or lack thereof. In fact, according to the National Association of Realtors, curb appeal is important to 71 percent of homebuyers. So beautify the outdoor space to attract possible buyers by focusing on small exterior improvements that'll pay off big like planting seasonal shrubs, painting the front door, refreshing a rusty mailbox or replacing old porch lighting with updated fixtures. Th...