By: Robert Clark Homebuyers inundated the US housing market in the first three months of 2017. But according to a newly released report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), there weren’t nearly enough listings to keep up with demand, which in turn caused a spike in national home prices. NAR began tracking metro median […]
Home shoppers may need to plan for more time than they realize when they’re starting the process of obtaining a mortgage. “Today’s mortgage process is very involved, particularly with regard to the documentation required, third-party verifications, and the independent appraisal process,” says Whitney Fite, president of Angel Oak Home Loans in Atlanta. “All of these […]
Do you belong to a professional association? There are many associations for home inspectors, but some groups confer questionable credentials or certifications in return for nothing more than a fee. Make sure the association your home inspector names is a reputable, nonprofit trade organization. Will your report meet all state requirements? Also, make sure the […]
1.Tax benefits.The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, and some of the costs involved in buying a home. 2.Appreciation. Historically, real estate has had a long-term, stable growth in value. In fact, median single-family existing-home sale prices have increased on average 5.2 percent each year […]