Lori Blank & Associates

11

Sep

0 Comments

Mortgage Tips

What You Need To Know About Mortgage Insurance

If you are on the verge of buying real estate, you've probably heard the term Private Mortgage Insurance. Mortgage professionals talk about it a great deal, but you may be asking, "What is it exactly? And why should I care?" Private Mortgage Insurance Defined PMI is required by lenders if the down payment of a purchase is less than 20 percent of the home's value. It protects the lender if the borrower defaults on the loan. It also makes the lender more apt to loan, even if the down payment is as low as 3%, because in the long run,…

10

Sep

By Lori Blank

0 Comments

Around The Home

5 Cool Ideas For Green Home Remodeling

Every home seems to have a never-ending remodeling list. As you consider tackling your next project, it usually pays off if you also think about helping the environment. Green remodeling can last longer, utilize recycled materials and typically end up saving you money in the long run. Below are several environment-friendly ideas that will have your neighbors green with envy. 1. Rain Gardens Rain gardens are a shallow depressions in your yard planted with native shrubs and flowers. When there is a large rainfall, all the water rushes along roadways picking up dirt and pollutants along their way to drainage…

09

Sep

By Lori Blank

0 Comments

Housing Analysis

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 9, 2013

Last week was relatively calm due to the Labor Day Holiday on Monday providing little mortgage and housing related news. However, there were several positive indicators for overall economic conditions. Construction spending rose by 0.60 percent in July and surpassed economists' expectations of 0.30 percent and June's zero percent growth. While this may seem a small increase, any indication that construction spending is increasing could indicate that residential construction is ramping up. This would be good news for home buyers, who've been facing a shortage of available homes in many areas of the U.S. The Fed Released Its Latest Beige…

06

Sep

By Lori Blank

0 Comments

Around The Home

How To Create The Perfect Garage Workshop

Most men, and even handy women, dream of a perfectly organized work space where their tools are orderly and they can tackle that list of home DIY projects. However, renovations can get put on hold because there's not a designated place to work. Tools are usually scattered throughout closets and the kitchen table serves as a workbench. You can create a space for all of your improvement projects by turning a section of your garage into a construction-friendly, wonderfully organized haven for your tools and home makeover endeavors. Below are easy steps to building the perfect garage workshop. Make Sure…

05

Sep

By Lori Blank

0 Comments

Home Selling Tips

Don’t Turn Your Buyers Away With These Curb Appeal Mistakes

When it comes to selling your home, curb appeal refers to the "first impression" that your house gives when a buyer approaches it from the driveway or the street. Does your house look attractive and inviting, or does it appear rundown? First impressions are important and even if the inside of the home is perfect, the outer appearance can really affect a buyer's perception. If you are trying to sell your property, you have probably mowed the front lawn and even planted flowers in order to improve your curb appeal. However, could you have over looked one of these common…

04

Sep

By Lori Blank

0 Comments

Home Selling Tips

Knock Your Real Estate Listing Out Of The Park With These Powerful Buzz Words

Words are powerful and when you are selling your home, the words that you use in your real estate listing can really impact the first impression that the property makes on potential buyers. Whether you are writing the real estate listing, or the house is being promoted by a real estate professional, it is important to use the right words to convey the meaning that you intend. This is especially true when you only have room for a short description, as every word counts. Here are a few words to use in your description that will really bring positive attention…

03

Sep

By Lori Blank

0 Comments

Home Buyer Tips

What Happens If You Find Your New Home Before You Sell Your Old One?

What happens if you find the dream property that you want to buy before you have made the sale on your old property? Ideally you would have sold your current home before you buy your new property. However, sometimes the transition doesn't work out that way. You don't want to give up the purchase if you have found a bargain on your dream home, so is it possible to buy the property before you have closed on your current residence? The answer is yes, it is possible. You will need to use a financing option that will allow you to…

30

Aug

By Lori Blank

0 Comments

Around The Home

7 Simple Steps To Finish Your Basement This Holiday Weekend

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. One of the best places to create this snug space is to mimic hibernating animals and go under ground — to the basement. Whether your lowest level needs a facelift or is…

29

Aug

By Lori Blank

0 Comments

Housing Analysis

Pending Home Sales Indicates That The Housing Recovery Is Progressing

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. Signed Purchase Contracts For Existing Homes Tracked In The U.S. ·Northeast: - 6.60 percent ·Midwest: - 1.00 percent ·West: - 4.90 percent ·South: + 2.60 percent Pending home sales were 6.70 percent higher year-over-year on a national basis. This indicates that the housing recovery is progressing, but at…

28

Aug

By Lori Blank

0 Comments

Housing Analysis

Case Shiller Price Index Shows Home Prices Are Still Increasing

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. This is the highest rate of monthly growth for home prices since the peak of the housing bubble in 2006. June's home prices remained approximately 23 percent lower than peak prices, but economists consider the bubble peak an anomaly and caution against comparing current home prices to the peak prices seen in 2006. Overall Housing…