5 home design trends for boomer clients In one session, Deryl Patterson, president of Housing Design Matters in Jacksonville, Fla., offered ideas of ways to design, remodel and market spaces so that they’ll be more appealing to older home buyers. At the recent International Builders’ Show in Orlando, the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB)... Read more »
NAR: Nixing FHA premium cut hurts up to 40,000 buyers NAR estimated the reduced premium would have saved the average FHA borrower $500 a year in insurance costs, while a separate study by ATTOM Data Solutions estimated the average buyer would save $446 per year, but that amount would go higher than $1,000 in some... Read more »
Buyers are stressed: 6 reasons why A new TD Bank survey of 135 real estate professionals nationwide reveals six stressors that are causing their clients the most anxiety: Confusion about the paperwork required: 31.85% Unexpected costs: 22.22% Concerns over financing: 21.48% Appraisal and inspection: 11.85% Meeting and closing date: 6.67% Credit approval: 5.93% To better... Read more »
HUD suspends FHA mortgage insurance premium reduction It follows that dropping mortgage insurance premiums today will mean a whole lot more responsible borrowers are suddenly eligible to purchase a home through FHA.” An ATTOM Data Solutions analysis released Thursday found that the average U.S. borrower with an FHA loan would have saved an average $446... Read more »
Builders return to once abandoned projects The supply of buildable lots is shrinking. That has prompted home builders to return to the abandoned lots left behind during the housing crisis in efforts to revive dwindling inventories of homes for-sale, The Wall Street Journal reports. A surplus of vacant lots and half-built subdivisions still remains across... Read more »
Young adults struggle to move away from home Whether it’s lagging salaries or soaring costs, young adults across the region aren’t ready to leave home. With its high cost of living and proximity to New York City, young people across southwestern Connecticut say they’re feeling the economic pressures prompting them to live with their parents.... Read more »
FHA change could save home buyers $446 annually An ATTOM Data Solutions analysis found that the average U.S. borrower taking out a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan will save an average $446 a year thanks to the mortgage insurance premium reduction taking effect later this month. Based on a 2016 median sales price of $185,000... Read more »
Home improvements Cost: Which ones recoup the most money? If a home improvement project costs $1,000, how much money will the homeowner get back if he sells the home – his return on investment (ROI)? In 2017, only attic insulation recoups more than its cost. The 2017 Cost vs. Value Report looked at 99 U.S.... Read more »
What was the score percent in apartment construction last month? Home starts surge – but not for single-family homes Housing starts jumped 11.3 percent last month, to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 1.2 million, the Commerce Department said Thursday. The average 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell to 4.12 percent last week, according to mortgage... Read more »
Properties Just Listed in Miami Shores Opportunity to purchase and customize this property in highly popular Miami Shores. This property has many unique features: custom original wood ceiling, a chimney, a very large living and family room to name a few. Needs updating/ upgrading but reflected in the price, won’t last. Call us now. Saturday... Read more »