According to a new report, most U.S. consumers fall short when it comes to reviewing their credit reports on an annual basis. When it comes to purchasing a big-ticket item like a home or a car, most people realize just how big of a part...
The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) recently unveiled their new qualified mortgage (QM) rule, which was created to protect both consumers and lenders. The Ability-to-Repay rule goes into effect in January 2014 and specifies that all new mortgages must comply with basic requirements that protect...
2012 is a thing of the past, but the end of the year brought good news with regard to the real estate industry. And the general mood is a good one. When asked about how home prices in their local market might rise as part...
Some large real estate brokerages are moving away from national real estate portals who use advertisements to help pay the bills. With so much going on for the consumer on these sites, brokerages are getting fed up and want to give their customers a better...
Home prices have continued to climb over the past year, helping some homeowners with negative equity finally bring their heads above water. Economists are hopeful that negative equity will continue to shrink in the coming months. In a recent report by Capital Economics, they said,...
A surge in demand has helped to drive prices higher, but has also diminished the supply of homes. In October, inventory was down 1.4% from the previous month, and 2.14 million homes were listed for sale. Many sellers are realizing that the market has shifted...
It’s amazing to think that in just a few short weeks, it will be time to ring in 2013. Before that happens, many people are finalizing their holiday shopping. Black Friday and Cyber Monday were, again, some of the biggest shopping days ever, so it...
One specific provision in California’s Homeowner Bill of Rights could be the reason California has seen a spike in cancellations of foreclosures. Although the Homeowner Bill of Rights doesn’t go into effect until 2013, the state has already seen a surge in foreclosure cancellations. According to...
During the holidays, your energy bill can skyrocket thanks to holiday decor, more people in your home, and more. If you’re looking for ways to reduce your energy costs, here are five ideas! 1. For $250 to $800, an energy auditor can perform a detailed diagnosis...
It’s hard to believe that Thanksgiving is this week. At this time of year, it’s common to have people over when you’re hosting parties or even family who is coming to stay for a few days. Now is a great time to get your home...