Source: Ruben Caginalp via MSN.com A home appraisal is conducted by a licensed professional to determine what your home is worth before you put it on the market and sell it. The process could cost several hundred dollars, depending on factors such as property size and location. How does a home appraisal work? appraiser looks at a number of factors, including comparable homes within the local market, location, age and condition of the home, structural construction and materials, size of the home and square … [Read more...]
3 Tips for Home Sellers in 2022
January 27, 2022 by Leave a Comment
Source: MSN.com | via The Washington Post - Opinion by Ilyce Glink and Samuel J. Tamkin Experts are forecasting that 2022 will be another year of the housing market favoring sellers over buyers. As we learned last year, the housing market is short by as much as 6.5 million homes, according to the National Association of Realtors. Redfin reports that buyers are facing the fewest number of listings on record, as the number of active listings fell 27 percent from a year ago. One example: … [Read more...]
11 Of The Most Beautiful Fall Destinations In Arizona
October 14, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Source: Only In Your State | Katie Lawrence Fall in Arizona is a truly enchanting time, with so many magical places to explore. From the Snowbowl to Apple Annie’s and everywhere in-between, here are the 11 most beautiful autumn destinations to visit this year in Arizona. 1. Aspen Nature Lollipop Trail (Flagstaff) At just under three miles long, this easy, short-and-sweet trail is one of the most iconic fall destinations in Arizona. You haven't lived until you've hiked through a grove of brilliantly … [Read more...]
How To Create a Hummingbird Hangout in Your Garden
June 23, 2021 by Leave a Comment
Source: Realtor.com | Ana Durrani | June 21, 2021 Hummingbirds have long been considered a symbol of joy and happiness and are said to bring good luck and positive energy to those who encounter them. So why not keep the good vibes going by creating a hummingbird hangout in your garden that can ensure these beautiful creatures return year after year? “Adding a hummingbird-friendly spot in your garden, with a foundation of native plants, is an amazing way to support local wildlife and the broader natural … [Read more...]
How the Federal Reserve affects ARMs, HELOCs and home equity loans
September 14, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Source: Jeff Ostrowski | MSN.com | September 14, 2020 The Federal Reserve’s interest rate decisions influence the rates you pay for home equity loans, HELOCs and adjustable-rate mortgages. While the central bank has signaled that low rates are here to stay, if you have a loan with a variable rate, you should understand the stakes. The Fed is responsible for setting the federal funds rate, the interest rate banks charge each other for overnight loans to meet reserve requirements. Home equity loans and … [Read more...]
The Overlooked Element That Makes a Room “Just Look Right”
August 31, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Source: Hadley Keller | House Beautiful | August 31, 2020 You know when you see something that just looks right, but you can’t put your finger on why? Chances are it has to do with its scale—and more often than not proportions influenced by classical architecture, says Alexa Hampton, who built a foundational knowledge of such buildings while traveling with her father, the legendary American decorator Mark Hampton. But this concept isn’t just something from the history books: It’s built around … [Read more...]
Little Ways to Spruce Up Your Home When the Spring Cleaning is Done
April 28, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Source: Heath Owens, Redbook via MSN | Lifestyle - April 2020 We’re all spending a little more time at home than we bargained for this spring. For the first time, you might even be ahead of the game on spring cleaning. If so, now is the perfect time to go the extra mile. These touches will make it a little bit easier to spend all that extra time at home. Move the furniture around Rearranging furniture is the oldest spring-cleaning trick in the book, and for good reason. Moving just a few key … [Read more...]
Wow! Mortgage Rates Reach Lowest Level in Almost 50 Years
March 9, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Mortgage rates have just dropped to the lowest level in almost 50 years, compelling both homeowners and home buyers to get off the couch to take advantage of record-level savings on their mortgage. “The average 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit a record 3.29% this week, the lowest level in its nearly 50-year history,” said Sam Khater, chief economist of mortgage giant Freddie Mac. “Meanwhile, mortgage applications increased 10% last week from one year ago and show no signs of slowing down." To put this … [Read more...]
