Author Archive

One Million Homeowners See Equity Gains

Over $1 trillion in equity was earned by one million homeowners over the year ending in June 2014. With that gain, roughly 44 million of the 49 million homes with mortgages have positive equity leaving just 10% underwater. The number of underwater homes is down from 12% in the first quarter of 2014 and down Read More »... Read more ›

  • box,
  • home equity,
  • positive equity

Economic Recovery: Signs To Watch For

Trying to determine whether or not the economy is truly on the road to recovery can be confusing. There are several different reports that consumers can check, but not everyone knows what to look for. Here’s a closer look at a few important statistics to keep an eye on. Housing Starts Housing starts refer to Read More »... Read more ›

  • consumer price index,
  • economic recovery,
  • home sales

Protecting Yourself & Your Credit From Credit Card Hackers

In light of the recent Credit Card and Debit Card information breach, we thought we would share with you a few steps to help you if you think your information may have been compromised, as well as some tips to protect yourself in the future. Over the past few months, companies like Target and Home Read More »... Read more ›

  • credit,
  • credit card,
  • credit fraud,
  • protecting yourself from credit card hackers

Getting Your House Ready For Fall

With temperatures slowly dropping, the final days of summer and the first few days of fall are perfect for getting your home ready for the new season. Between fall storms and winter snow, it’s important to make sure your home can handle it all. The following are some of the tasks you should plan on Read More »... Read more ›

  • getting ready for fall,
  • how do i get my home ready for winter

The Cost of Not Refinancing – Check Rates & Watch Your Credit Score

Many homeowners rarely think about their mortgage. They make their payment each month, the house stays in their name, everything is fine. However, something really worth taking the time to consider on a regular basis is the benefit of refinancing your mortgage. If you haven’t refinanced your mortgage in the last few years, you could Read more ›

  • box home loans,
  • credit score,
  • mortgage,
  • refinance,
  • refinancing,
  • todays rates

The Fading of Foreclosures

The housing crisis and economic collapse that the United States and many other countries all over the world experienced in the last few years devastated the housing market. The sheer number of foreclosures skyrocketed overnight. And with the sudden influx in housing inventory on the market due to foreclosures, home prices plummeted as a result. Read More »... Read more ›

  • foreclosures,
  • home sales,
  • national association of realtors,
  • realtors

What Do You Want In A House?

Determining what you want in a house of your own can be more difficult than you think. You might have a picture in your head of your ideal home, only to find out that it doesn’t match up with the reality of what’s available in your area or your price range. It’s also possible that Read More »... Read more ›

  • buying a home,
  • first time buyers,
  • what do you want in a house

Learn About Real Estate Agent Commissions

For many, buying or selling a home is an inordinately stressful event. Between managing finances, redecorating, packing, and engaging in total life upheaval, the experience can be a lot to handle. Fortunately, the job of a real estate agent is, more or less, to put clients at ease. Consider that when handling your agent’s commission. Read more ›

  • real estate commissions,
  • realtor commissions,
  • realtor fees

Kitchen Basics: Organizing Your Kitchen

The kitchen tends to be the most high-traffic room in the home, especially if you love to cook. However, cooking and in-home dining can lose its appeal in a kitchen not set up for maximum efficiency. Here are some tips for creating a kitchen you’ll love to spend time in: Maximizing Kitchen Space Strive to Read More »... Read more ›

  • home tips,
  • kitchen tips

Preparing To Buy Your First Home

Benjamin Franklin once said “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.” This adage proves true in many facets of life, including home ownership. In essence, you are preparing to fail, if you neglect to prepare correctly for your first home purchase. Read on for some helpful tips on how to get ready for Read More »... Read more ›

  • first time home buying tips,
  • home buying tips,
  • how much can i afford,
  • preparing to buy your first home