Posts from December 2015
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21
4 Tips to Make Home Maintenance Easier
(Family Features)-Some home maintenance jobs require a significant investment of time and specialized equipment, but there are many projects you can accomplish efficiently with basic tools and the right approach. Follow these tips to get started.
Update your toolbox. Take inventory to ensure your collection is complete, and replace damaged or rusted tools. Your toolbox is also a good place to store common repair items such as adhesive.
Get ahead of potential problems. For example, have a plunger on hand to prevent clogged sinks and toilets from causing water damage, and keep gutters and filters clean to prevent structural damage or fire. You can also protect your home and valuables from damage by using adhesive to secure precious items from ge...
17
Housing Set to Expand in 2016
Economic headwinds will be offset in the coming year by a tightening labor market and a renewed decline in gasoline prices, according to Fannie Mae's Economic & Strategic Research Group-a heartening forecast that could bode well for the housing market. The ESR Group expects the economy to grow 2.4 percent in 2016.
"After a year of modest improvement, we continue to believe economic growth will close out 2015 at 2.2 percent before gaining momentum early in 2016," says Fannie Mae Chief Economist Doug Duncan. "Although consumers have been more cautious in recent months, preferring to save rather than spend, we believe they will pick up their spending pace next year amid solid job gains and resulting growth in incomes. The unsustainable third-quarter inventory investment will likely subtract signi...
11
Dos and Don'ts for a First-Time Home Buyer
Purchasing a home for the first time is one of the most exciting and important decisions someone can make. Making a mistake in the process can be devastating. However, most first-time home buyer mistakes are easily avoidable with a little bit of research and guidance from a real estate professional. Here are a few dos and don'ts to help prepare first-time buyers.
Don't assume you are able to buy a home just because you have saved for the down payment. There will be other pre-buying expenses related to purchasing the home that you need to anticipate. Anticipating these costs and investing up front will make the loan process much easier. Make sure you check your credit score as well, because this will determine your interest rates and insurance costs.
Don't make any huge purchas...
5
8 Fire Safety Tips 8 Nights of Hanukkah
- Place your menorah on a sturdy, non-flammable surface: Your menorah, especially when lit, should rest on a stable fixture in your home. You and your family's guests may accidentally bump into a wobbly table and knock it over. Non-flammable surfaces like glass, metal, or marble work best.
- Keep the menorah and matches out of children's reach: Make sure that your menorah is positioned in a place where your...
4
Mortgage Rates Hold Steady
Average fixed mortgage rates remain largely unchanged as analyst expectations turned from world events to the Federal Open Market Committee's (FOMC) October minutes, Freddie Mac recently reported. According to Freddie Mac's Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 3.97 percent with an average 0.6 point; the 15-year FRM averaged 3.18 percent with an average 0.5 point.
"Treasury yields stabilized about 5 basis points below last week's level as the market shrugged off economic data and world events and turned its attention to the minutes of the October FOMC meeting," says Freddie Mac Chief Economist Sean Becketti. "In response, the 30-year mortgage rate ticked down a basis point to 3.97 percent. The FOMC minutes were couched in careful Fed-speak, and early marke...