9 Tips for Homebuyers!
June 15, 2023
9 Tips for Homebuyers!1) Work on improving our credit score.2) Chose your agent carefully.3) Be patient.4) Shop around for a loan.5) Don't ignore your agents advice.6) Understand the local market.7) Opt for a smaller home than planned, if necessary.8) Negotiate, negotiate, negotiate. 9) Figure out your home buying timeline....
Being Prepared For Summer Storms
June 15, 2023
Summer brings beautiful weather and lots of fun outdoor activities. With this comes the threat of bad weather. Here are a few tips for new homeowners and a reminder for the seasoned homeowner, to be prepared for the summer storms that can pop up out of nowhere.It’s essential to implement all storm safety tips before ...
Curb Appeal is Important For the Back of Your HOme too
June 15, 2023
With grilling season upon us back yard space and appeal is an important assett to a home too. Make your outdoor space an extension of your home. Make sure your deck is clean and freshly stained. Adding an outdoor rug can really set apart a space and make is feel like a "room". Add ...
Today's Fed Meeting
June 15, 2023
The Federal Reserve's policy committee chose to skip a rate hike at today's meeting, halting a series of 10 increases that stretches back to March 2022.A breather—simply keeping rates where they are—gives the central bank more time to monitor the effects of its fight against inflation.The central bank also signaled it may need ...
Homebuyer Needs and Interest Rate Fluctuations
June 15, 2023
Clearly, the topic about interest rates for mortgages is not going away any time soon. Even though the Feds are holding steady at the rate as the date of this article, will it continue to rise and at what rate and how often is anyone’s guess. However, the acceptance of the ever changing interest rate could eventually ...
With this market...Should I wait to buy a home?
June 15, 2023
Buying a home can have several advantages over renting, making it a preferable option for many individuals. Here are some reasons why buying is often considered better than renting:Investment and Equity: When you buy a property, you are investing in an asset that has the potential to appreciate over time. As you make mortgage payments, you build equity, essentially ...
Investor Series – Short Term Investments vs. Long Term Investments
June 15, 2023
This is another installment of our investor series articles. Today we are going to look at short term investments vs. long term investments in the Real Estate sector.Some things to consider when thinking about short term vs. long term investments:Time horizon: Short-term investments are typically held for less than a year, while long-term investments are held ...
Tour 9 Gardens at McHenry County Master Gardeners Walk
June 14, 2023
Join the University of Illinois Extension McHenry County Master Gardeners for Garden Walk 2023 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, July 8, starting at the outdoor Demonstration Garden at McHenry County College, 8900 Route 14, Crystal Lake.Attendees of the annual event presented by the University of Illinois Extension and McHenry County College will experience some ...
Helpful Home Buying Tips for the Current Market
June 14, 2023
Don’t avoid homeownership It’s a good time to buy a house, even if the mortgage loan will cost you a little bit more.There are some experts who fear a ...
New Study on Housing Shortage
June 13, 2023
According to a recent study completed by NAR and realtor.com there is a shortage of more than 300,000 homes in the pricing point the middle-income buyers can afford. The current housing market is short about 300,000 homes in the listing price range up to 256K which according to Housing Affordability & Supply report is considered the ...
Posted on: June 13, 2023 New houses taking shape on vacant lots across Jackson
June 13, 2023
Posted on: June 13, 2023 Hundreds of new homes are set to be built in Jackson in the coming years, and the Powell-Lepards will be the first family to move in. “It’s exciting. I think it’s going to be a great thing for the City and families like ours,” said Kristin Powell-Lepard. The family, who ...
Challenges of Selling and Buying at the same time
June 09, 2023
Selling your home and buying a new one at the same time can be an exciting and stressful experience. While it's possible to sell your home and use that sale to purchase another house, it's also a challenging task that requires careful planning and execution. In this blog, we'll explore the challenges of selling and buying ...
10 Kitchen Cabinet Makeover Ideas. Economic Way to add Value to your Home
June 09, 2023
https://www.thisoldhouse.com/kitchens/21017763/10-ways-to-update-kitchen-cabinetsOur favorite how-to guides to help inspire your next kitchen cabinet makeover without replacing your existing cabinets while staying within budget.How can I update my kitchen cabinets without replacing them?If you’re looking to reface, refurbish, or refresh your kitchen cabinets without a major overhaul, this list is for you. We’ve rounded up 10 ...
What is a LOMA-You May Want One
June 08, 2023
Buying a HUD Property Number 5by Tom Nelson HUD Licensed Listing Broker (LLB) Leave Me A LOMAThis is just a play on words (leave me alone). But a LOMA is something of great value-especially if you are buying a HUD home with a ‘F’ code.HUD properties have a number of codes LBP (Lead Based Paint), ...
Mortgage Demand Falls as Lending Rates Remain Elevated
June 07, 2023
By Aarthi SwaminathanJun 7, 2023The numbers: Stubbornly high mortgage rates and a scarcity of inventory are stalling the housing market.As homeowners sit on properties, finding little incentive to sell and give up an ultralow mortgage rate, current loan rates remain elevated, adding hundreds of dollars in extra costs for buyers.The average 30-year mortgage rate was 6.81% ...
Consumers Beware: Zombie Mortgages Are on the Rise
June 06, 2023
Key pointsZombie mortgages are dormant, delinquent second mortgages that many homeowners assumed were discharged in loan modifications years ago.However, these were often bought by debt collectors, and we're starting to see a resurgence in collection activity.The CFPB warns that these collection activities might be illegal, and consumers should know their rights.Check out our picks for ...
BIDEN-HARRIS ADMINISTRATION’S PAVE TASK FORCE ANNOUNCES NEW ACTIONS TO ADDRESS APPRAISAL BIAS
June 06, 2023
HUD No. 23-107HUD Public Affairs(202) 708-0685FOR RELEASEThursdayJune 1, 2023WASHINGTON - Today, the Interagency Task Force on Property Appraisal and Valuation Equity (PAVE), co-chaired by U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Secretary Marcia L. Fudge and White House Domestic Policy Advisor Neera Tanden, announced a set of meaningful actions to deliver on the PAVE Action Plan and ...
Is a house that’s been sold multiple times in a few years cause for concern?
June 05, 2023
A house that changes hands frequently can be a red flag as it can indicate potential problems with the property, the neighborhood, or the market. If you are faced with this situation, have your agent investigate the reason the property keeps changing hands by reviewing public records and other documents to determine any outstanding issues. But ...
Selecting the right financing type
June 05, 2023
Selecting the right financing type. It isnt enough to just get pre approved when you are ready to begin the buying process. Different property conditions require different types of loans.If you are looking for a home that doesnt need any work, then consider FHA financing or a conventional loan.If the property needs a modest ...
Home Inspections
June 02, 2023
Quick Takeaways on Home InspectionsA home inspection is a visual assessment of a home’s condition in which inspectors look for thousands of potential problems in areas of the home, including ceilings, walls, floors, windows, and doors. Homebuyers may want to accompany the inspector as they do their work. Inspectors can show potential homeowners where certain plumbing or ...
Signs That You May Need a New Roof
May 23, 2023
We often take the roof above our heads for granted because we know it will protect us from the outside elements. Ultimately, we face the harsh reality that it will eventually age and need to be replaced. A worn and damaged roof can cause significant interior and exterior damage to your home if left unattended. Some roofs last longer ...
Q1 Foreclosre Activity
May 17, 2023
Q1 2023 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, which shows a total of 95,712 U.S. properties with a foreclosure filings during the first quarter of 2023, up 6 percent from the previous quarter and up 22 percent from a year ago.The report also shows a total of 36,617 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings in March ...
Top 5 Ways To Improve Your Credit Score!
May 17, 2023
The health of your credit is more critical than ever. Many credit-challenged people find themselves "frozen" when confronted with what to do. Here are the top five ways to improve your credit!1. Pay bills on time: Consistently paying your bills, including credit card bills, loans, and utilities, on time is one of the most effective ways ...
Michigan Down Payment Assistance
May 15, 2023
As realtors we often come across buyers looking to purchase their first home but do not have enough for the down payment. That’s where the DPA program from MSHDA can come to the rescue. The Michigan State Housing Development Authority is expanding its MI 10K DPA program statewide, helping low and middle-income homebuyers overcome the biggest ...
Foreclosure Starts and Completions Down From April
May 15, 2023
ATTOM has released its April 2023 U.S. Foreclosure Market Report, showing a total of 32,977 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings — default notices, scheduled auctions or bank repossessions — were down 10% from last month but up 8% from a year ago.Illinois, Maryland, and New Jersey post highest foreclosure ratesNationwide one in every 4,234 ...
