Soon after signing mortgage loan documents that lock in a 15- or 30-year debt, homeowners dream about paying off the debt early to get rid of the monthly burden. But, even if you could pay the mortgage off early, is it a good idea? When Considering Paying Off a Mortgage Early It would be nice…

Most prospective home buyers work with a mortgage lender to finance a home purchase. In fact, according to a U.S. Census statistic in 2020, 64.8% of current homeowners used a mortgage loan to buy their homes. As interest rates fluctuate, borrowers generally lock in fixed rates to ensure that their monthly mortgage payments remain steady…

The time it takes to buy a home can be a long process. According to a December 2021 Bankrate.com article, the average time to close on a home with a conventional mortgage is about 51 days. Some lenders are very efficient and can shorten that time by a few days. Government-backed FHA and VA loans…

The December 2021 U.S. national housing indicators showed overall housing market activity improvement. However, the total number of unsold homes nationwide is down 16.1% from December 2020. This is a minor improvement from November’s 16.2% decline as the inventory share of listings in pending status increased slightly, a sign that buyers are active even with…

Highlights The median list price of homes in the December U.S. housing market was down from November but 10% higher than December 2020. November existing single-family home sales increased for the third consecutive month. Interest rates remained low in December, but lean inventories and the growth of home prices were constraining sales.

The December national indicators showed improving overall housing market activity. Looming interest rate hikes prompted homebuyers to lock in mortgage rates during a typically slower time of the year. The total number of unsold homes nationwide is down 16.1% from December 2020. This is a minor improvement from November’s 16.2% decline as the inventory share…

One glance at your tired and out-of-date kitchen might suggest that a renovation is necessary. After all, who would be interested in buying a home with limited counter space, unsightly cabinets, dim lighting, and ancient appliances? However, when considering kitchen renovations, questions about cost and whether you could recover the renovation costs when you sell…

Remodeling and upgrades can help increase the return on investment (ROI) of a home; however, it is unlikely the homeowner will recoup the total cost of most upgrades. Generally, an upgrade project must fix a design or structural flaw to recover the construction cost. According to Angi.com, the average homeowner in the United States spends…

Like most everything, home values are generally subject to the law of supply and demand. However, determining a home’s worth can be difficult due to the current economic conditions, location, comparable area sales, interest rates, and other factors. Knowing a home’s current value means greater control for the homeowner. Why Understanding Home Values is Important…

November’s national housing market indicators showed overall improvement. Although home values are trending up in most large markets, the inventory of homes for sale is trending down, and the number of homes on the market continues to be limited. Due to the shortage of homes for sale, many homeowners have been reluctant to put their…