Monthly Archives: August 2013

7 Simple Steps To Finish Your Basement This Holiday Weekend

Posted on August 30, 2013 by

Not only does the Labor Day weekend signal a little time off work, but it also indicates a close to the summer season, which means it’s time to get ready for colder weather. So get in the spirit of the long weekend and put the labor of love into your home by creating a cozy hideaway that your family can retreat to once the outdoors become too chilly. Continue reading →

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Pending Home Sales Indicates That The Housing Recovery Is Progressing

Posted on August 29, 2013 by

The National Association of REALTORS reported Wednesday that pending sales of existing homes fell by 1.30 percent in July. According to the organization’s Pending Home Sales Index, this was the second straight month that pending home sales dropped. July’s Pending Home Sales Index reading was 109.50. Continue reading →

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Case Shiller Price Index Shows Home Prices Are Still Increasing

Posted on August 28, 2013 by

Home prices are still rising, but at a slower pace according to the S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices for June. Home prices for the cities surveyed in the HPI rose by 12.10 percent on an annual basis as compared to May’s reading of 12.20 percent. Continue reading →

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Existing Home Sales Report Shows Highest New Home Inventory Since January 2012

Posted on August 27, 2013 by

The National Association of REALTORS reported that existing home sales for July came in at 5.39 million on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. July’s reading exceeded both expectations of 5.21 million existing homes sold and June’s reading of 5.06 million homes sold. Continue reading →

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 26, 2013

Posted on August 26, 2013 by

Last week brought mixed economic news, but Leading Indicators released Thursday suggest that the U.S. economy is growing at a moderate rate. Continue reading →

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Preventing And Clearing Clogs In Your Home

Posted on August 23, 2013 by

You’re brushing your teeth and you turn on the faucet. It’s not draining and starts to back up. Here’s the dilemma; do you spit and let it sit or run to the kitchen? One thing is for sure; having a clogged drain can be a major annoyance. Continue reading →

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Fed Meeting Minutes Reflect Support For Reducing QE Program

Posted on August 22, 2013 by

The minutes of last month’s Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting show significant support for tapering the Fed’s current amount of monthly securities purchases. These purchases, known as quantitative easing (QE), are an effort to maintain lower long-term interest rates including mortgage rates. Continue reading →

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It’s Important To Follow These Specific Steps When Using Gift Funds For Your Down Payment

Posted on August 21, 2013 by

As lenders tighten mortgage guidelines for home buyers, minimum down payment requirements are increasing. Continue reading →

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Home Builder Confidence Highest Level In Nearly 8 Years

Posted on August 20, 2013 by

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported Thursday that its Housing Market Index rose three points to a reading of 59 for August. Continue reading →

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 19, 2013

Posted on August 19, 2013 by

Last week wasn’t kind to stock market investors, but weekly jobless claims fell to an unexpected low of 320,000 new jobless claims filed was its lowest level in nearly six years. Average mortgage rates were mixed, but inched upward. Continue reading →

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