As of December 8, mortgage rates have climbed to 4.13% for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. With the recent increase in interest rates, many people assume that home prices will decrease. After all, if fewer people are able to purchase a house due to higher mortgage rates, then the demand for homes (and therefore the price) should decrease. […]
Having work done on your home is never inexpensive. But whether you’re putting on a new deck, constructing built-in cabinets or refinishing your basement, below are a few ways you can cut costs, without cutting corners. Be an Educated Consumer Aggressively shop for the most reasonable bid. Don’t just hire the first contractor you find. […]
Top country-wide real estate trainer asked to interview Melinda Estridge to help advance the careers of other Realtors nationwide. Click here to listen to the full interview. Putting a house on the market today, not just in the DC Metro area but nationwide, is vastly different than it was 30 years ago. How you present your home is […]
Maybe you got a big pay bump at work, or a family member has gifted you a large chunk of change. Whatever the reason, you’re suddenly able to pre-pay your mortgage—this means paying it off before your allotted time is up (say, 30 years). Pre-Paying Can Save You Thousands of Dollars When you pre-pay your […]
When it comes to getting a loan, there’s a laundry list of documents needed to be approved. From tax returns to credit statements, your lender needs complete access to your financial history. But it wasn’t always the case. Not too long ago, some lenders offered what are called “stated income loans.” More commonly referred to […]
Now that much of the dust has settled and the panic has waned, let’s take a look at what impact Britain’s exit from the European Union may have on the U.S. housing market. The most immediate impact of Brexit will be on mortgage interest rates. Interest rates have remained at historic lows for the last […]
If you’re a seasoned homeowner, you may have heard the term “refinancing” thrown around. But what exactly is refinancing, and is it right for you? Let’s explore the ins and outs. A Brief Explanation of Refinancing With a refinancing, you pay off an old loan on your home and take out a new one, usually […]
In today’s market, with home prices rising and a lack of inventory, some homeowners may consider trying to sell their home on their own, known in the industry as a For Sale by Owner (FSBO). There are several reasons why this might not be a good idea for the vast majority of sellers. Here are […]
Home improvements can be expensive. From buying materials to hiring help, they can take a sizeable chunk out of your bank account. Those who are relatively handy—and armed with a plethora of Pinterest and Youtube knowledge—may consider tackling an improvement project themselves. When wondering if you should hire out or go DIY, consider the following. […]
On the fence about buying a home? Other than the obvious idea that you finally own your space, there are many reasons to make the move to homeownership. Below are the top four. 1. Owning a Home is a Great Investment Owning a home is a fantastic long-term investment. Home values are constantly rising and […]
