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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 28th, 2019

Last week's economic news included readings on sales of previously owned homes and weekly readings on average mortgage rates and new jobless claims. A scheduled report on sales of new homes was not available due to the government shutdown. National Association of Realtors®: Sales of Pre-Owned Homes Lowest in 3 Years Sales of previously owned homes fell in December and failed to meet expectations. 4.99 million pre-owned homes were sold on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis; analysts predicted 5.10 million sales based on 5.33 million sales in November 2018. December's reading showed the lowest number of sales since November of 2015.…
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5 Home Renovations That Really Raise Values

There are many home renovation projects that can increase the comfort and visual appeal of a dwelling. Owners who plan to sell their home in the future, however, prefer to focus on projects that will return a healthy profit at closing. Here are 5 renovation projects that positively impact a home's resale value. Conversions It's easy for real estate agents to convince buyers to bid higher on properties with more bedrooms. Redesign the attic to easily add an extra bedroom without committing to a major construction project. This strategy works well for smaller homes or those in neighborhoods with multiple…
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Tips For Selling Your Home In The Winter

Winter typically isn't one of the busier home buying seasons - those seasons are reserved for spring and summer. But to think that you can't sell your home at market value during the winter months is being naive. In fact, you can even use some of the characteristics that define the season to your advantage. For instance, because winter isn't a hot selling season, there's typically less inventory during this time of year. That said, if your home stands out in the listings, you have a better chance of getting on that coveted "short list" of buyers. Here's a look…
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Complete These Repairs Before You List Your Home

There are several things to do when you prepare to list your home for sale. One of the projects you'll need to do is complete certain repairs. Your home should be in the best possible condition before your real estate agent shows it to potential buyers. While your home doesn't need to be perfect, here is a list of repairs you should strive to get done before you open your home to showings. Front Steps And Deck Issues The front entrance and back deck should be in good shape for curb appeal and safety. Replace or repair wooden steps that…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 22nd, 2019

Last week's economic reports included National Association of Home Builders' Housing Market Index, the Federal Reserve's Beige Book report and the University of Michigan's Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. Commerce Department readings on housing starts and building permits issued were delayed due to the federal government shutdown, which continued and became the longest government shutdown on record. NAHB: Builder Confidence Rises Amid Headwinds Home builder confidence rose two points in January according to the National Association of Home Builders. Builder concerns over rising construction costs and tariffs on building materials…
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