Posts by Zur

Tim and Tracey Kerin knew it was time to downsize soon after their grandson Maximus was born. “We started to re-evaluate what's important to us at this stage in life and decided that our health and family were more important than a larger home with a big backyard and pool,” says Tim, 58, who along…

Homebuilder confidence retreats amid potential 'challenges' to meeting demand     •Homebuilder confidence fell more than expected, as costs rise.    •Builders are concerned they do not have enough land to meet rising demand.    •Buyer traffic for newly built homes fell in March.Diana Olick | @DianaOlick  The nation's homebuilders are worried they will not be able to…

Home sellers are making huge profits. So why aren't more people selling? by Kathryn Vasel   @KathrynVasel It's a great time to sell your home. So why aren't more homeowners doing it? Sellers profited about $54,000 on average at the end of 2017, according to Attom Data Solutions. That's a 10-year high and means sellers…

3 ways tax reform will hit home values by Kathryn Vasel   @KathrynVasel The recent surge in home values could slow thanks to the freshly passed tax overhaul. Sweeping tax legislation was signed into law by President Trump at the end of 2017, and experts said some of the changes, including a lower threshold on…

Mortgage rates jump to highest in 4 years, an ominous sign for spring housing by: Diana Olick | @DianaOlick Mortgage rates are surging due to the jump in U.S. bond yields. “Some lenders will be at 4.5 percent,” says Matthew Graham of Mortgage News Daily. Higher mortgage rates, combined with higher home prices, will make this spring…

3 ways tax reform will hit home valuesby Kathryn Vasel The recent surge in home values could slow thanks to the freshly passed tax overhaul. Sweeping tax legislation was signed into law by President Trump at the end of 2017, and experts said some of the changes, including a lower threshold on the mortgage interest…

5 Ways to Keep Your House Warm During the Cold Weather By BILLY PERRIGO Much of the U.S. celebrated the beginning of 2018 in the grip of record-breaking cold temperatures. With the cold weather set to continue in may regions, it’s important to know how to keep your house warm when the temperatures drop. Here…

U.S. home sales to foreigners surge 49% to new record by Alanna Petroff   @AlannaPetroff Foreigners are getting serious about “Buying American” real estate. The National Association of Realtors released a report Tuesday that said foreign buyers and recent immigrants spent an estimated $153 billion on American properties in the year ending March 2017. That…

The Fed raised interest rates. Why are mortgages getting cheaper? by Kathryn Vasel   @KathrynVasel Looks like the homebuying frenzy isn't going anywhere, at least for now.After the Federal Reserve raised its key interest rate nearly a month ago, many people expected mortgages rates to creep up. But instead, they've been on the decline ever…

The struggle is real for Millennial homebuyers by Kathryn Vasel   @KathrynVasel It's going to be an intense house-hunting season — especially for young buyers. After years of many experts lamenting how Millennials weren't interested in becoming homeowners, it turns out many are actually diving in. But they're facing a lot of competition. Millennials are…