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...]
As mortgage rates remain near three-year lows, here are 5 questions to ask yourself before you refinance your mortgage
February 25, 2020 by
Mortgage rates are sitting near record lows — and that’s spurring a wave of refinancing activity as Americans look to take advantage of the savings a cheaper interest rate could bring. Refinance loan volume jumped to the highest level since June 2013 last week, especially among jumbo mortgage borrowers, on the heels of lower mortgage rates, according to data from the Mortgage Bankers Association. The average interest rate for a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage fell to 3.45% two weeks ago, Freddie Mac reported, the … [Read more...]
How to Design Your Garden for More Meaning and Connection
February 6, 2020 by
Gardens can connect us to the natural world in meaningful ways, whether we’re plucking the first ripe berries of the season or pausing to watch wild birds flit through foliage. While we most often talk about the nuts and bolts of landscape design — the shrubs, pathways and irrigation systems that make them work — let’s take a moment to explore the less tangible ways we can design our gardens to foster connection with nature. 1. Plant Something From Your Childhood Gardens can be powerful places for connecting … [Read more...]
Expert Roundup: Mortgage Rate Predictions for 2020
January 17, 2020 by Leave a Comment
Mortgage interest rates dropped lower in 2019 than many experts predicted a year ago. That was welcome news for many borrowers who ended up buying a home and homeowners who decided to refinance. Now that a new year is nearly upon us, it's natural to be curious about 2020 mortgage rate predictions. See today's mortgage rates 2020 mortgage rate predictions Where will mortgage rates in 2020 be? For a forecast, we looked to leading housing organizations and industry authorities. The good news is that all of … [Read more...]
20 Gorgeous Home Trends That Are Going to Be So Huge in 2020
January 2, 2020 by Leave a Comment
1. Arched furniture shapes Geometric furniture—like those gilded hexagonal tables that have been popular over the past decade—is rapidly going out of style. "You will start to notice plenty of arches in furniture and home design," says interior designer Leanne Ford. From chairs to arched doorways, this trend will be everywhere in 2020. 2. Foyers with a personal touch Your foyer can sometimes be treated as an afterthought, acting as little more than a place to kick off a pair of muddy boots or hang a coat. … [Read more...]
5 New Year’s Resolutions Every Homeowner Should Be Making
December 30, 2019 by
Homeowners can easily get into a comfortable groove year after year: make monthly mortgage payments, auto-renew homeowner’s insurance, and put off upgrading to more efficient technology (such as appliances and lighting), among other things. But that groove can cost you money. Making the minimum loan payments (while putting extra money in a low interest-bearing savings account) or keeping the same policy for years (without shopping around for more competitive rates) is an easy way to save less and spend more than … [Read more...]
The Best 15-Minute Holiday Recipes of All Time
December 18, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Cranberry Cream Cheese Spread This festive dip is a snap to make, taking only 10 minutes from start to finish. Thanks to its hint of sweetness, both kids and adults will gobble it up. —Frankie Robinson, Lockhart, Texas Get Recipe Homemade Irish Cream Add some creamy goodness to your cup of joe with a splash of this alcohol-free version of the Irish favorite. —Marcia Severson, Hallock, Minnesota Get Recipe Holiday Cornflake Cookies I can't seem to make enough of these cornflake wreaths … [Read more...]
Mortgage Rates Hold Steady, but Economists Say Don’t Expect That to Last
December 5, 2019 by Leave a Comment
Mortgage rates didn’t budge much over the last week amid mixed signals as to the economy’s strength as the holiday season kicked into full drive. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 3.68% during the week ending Dec. 5, unchanged from the previous week, Freddie Mac reported Thursday. Compared to a year ago, mortgage rates were more than a full percentage point lower. During this same week last year, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.75%. The 15-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped one basis … [Read more...]
Style by Fire: How to Pick the Perfect Fire Pit to Heat Things Up Outside
November 13, 2019 by
good fire pit can take your outdoor space from meh to downright magical with one strike of a match—especially on a crisp autumn night. But finding the perfect fire pit for your backyard can seem like an impossible task, especially considering the crazy-big selection that’s out there. Should you choose something simple and portable, or something more permanent that will become a design element in your home? Do you need space to cook, or are you just hoping to stay warm while stargazing? … [Read more...]
10 Design Trends Coming To A Home Near You
October 29, 2019 by
Design trends flip and flop over time. For example, when bright colors are popular, you can expect darker, moodier colors to take over next. You can probably chalk it up to homeowners getting tired of designs they’re seeing everywhere and wanting something different. Whatever the reason, design trends are always in flux. To get a snapshot of what’s trending now, we asked several designers and home builders what their clients are requesting. Here are 10 design trends they think are on the rise. 1. Warmer … [Read more...]
