real estate blog
Fed announces interest-rate decision
The FHA has announced it will cut mortgage insurance premiums, a move that may ease the burden of rising interest rates Federal Reserve officials said they would begin running off their $4.5 trillion balance sheet “relatively soon” and left their benchmark policy rate unchanged as they assess progress toward their inflation goal. The start of …
5 Tips To Avoid Personal Finance Trouble When Buying A Home
Much like any large purchase, home buying can result in emotional spending. Unfortunately, unlike overspending on an appliance or fashion accessory, the implications of taking out a mortgage bigger than you can handle can be a financial death toll. The excitement of home ownership can get in the way of savvy financial decisions. Keep the …
Denver third-best city for retirees in US, says new study
Denver’s the third-best city in the U.S. for retirees, according to a new study. Only Seattle and Minneapolis/St. Paul is better, according to “America’s Best Cities for a Healthy (and More Affordable) Retirement” that was commissioned by the Bankers Life Center for a Secure Retirement. The survey used the methodology in its ranking of 60 U.S. cities …
Denver vs. Charlotte: How the Super Bowl 50 cities match up (Slideshow)
Heading into Super Bowl 50, the differences between the Denver Broncos and Carolina Panthers have been picked over to death. But what about the two cities the teams represent? VIEW SLIDESHOW Charlotte and Denver: Comparing and contrasting the two cities as their teams prepare to… more Denver and Charlotte are different in many ways, from their …
Many Americans qualify for more than they can handle. Tips to avoid that trap.
By Lauren Lyons Cole April 26, 2017 Buying a new home is a big decision. Most people focus on the number of bedrooms or kitchen appliances, but new home buyers should be thinking more about how much mortgage they truly can afford. It’s a question many people may be facing soon. Almost three-quarters of Americans …
How estate plans protect family assets far better than a will
Drafting your will and testament is not exactly on most summer to-do lists. For many, the process is a memento mori, a task more foreboding than mowing the overgrown lawn. It’s no surprise that according to the American Bar Association, 55 percent of Americans do not have a will or other estate plan in place when …
Know before you owe – Debt-to-Income Ratios
Real Estate Inquiries: https://firststar.info/ Mortgage Inquiries: https://firststar.info/ What is a Debt-to-Income Ratio? IN THIS ARTICLE: Housing Ratio or “Front-End Ratio” Total Debt Ratio or “Back-End Ratio” Debt-to-Income Limits What is a Debt-to-Income Ratio? When you apply for a mortgage, your lender will analyze your debt ratios, which are also known as your debt-to-income ratios, or DTI. Lenders …
Owning beats renting in new households for the first time in a decade
More new US households chose to buy than rent in the first quarter, marking the first time in a decade that new households have favored buying over renting, according to a Wall Street Journal report. According to Census Bureau data, 854,000 new-owner households were formed in the first quarter of 2017, handily beating the 365,000 new-renter …
20 of the best US housing markets for investing in real estate
If you’re looking to invest in real estate, location is paramount. HomeUnion, an online real-estate investment management firm, has identified ZIP codes in 20 US metros where investors have seen the highest return on investment and minimal risk over a five-year period. To compile its list, HomeUnion calculated the total annualized return — including projected …
When you’re looking for a home in a seller’s market, you need a plan in place to avoid making mistakes.
The real estate market often fluctuates, making it tough to predict whether the market will favor buyers or sellers when it’s your turn to buy. Buyers in a seller’s market can get what they want, but they need to bring their “A” game and be decisive. Here are six common mistakes and how to avoid them. Not making …