Buyers

Basements & Roofs – Planning a Rocking Rec Room

Edy Roberts — Wed, 27 Mar 2013 18:13:03 +0000

*By John Voket, RISMedia Consumer Columnist We have been talking about basements a lot recently. Not only am I interested in taking a look down those stairs and shining a light on some of the most common winter basement issues, I want to provide tips on turning that dark...

Porches Making a Comeback: Get Yours in Tip Top Shape

Edy Roberts — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 18:07:00 +0000

*By Keith Loria Thanks to urban living and vintage tastes, front porches are once again in vogue as homebuyers add them to their must-have list. As porches continue to make a comeback, sellers are using them to their advantage in order to attract prospective buyers and even sweeten the deal....

Builder Confidence Virtually Unchanged in February

Edy Roberts — Mon, 18 Mar 2013 18:23:19 +0000

Builder confidence in the market for newly built, single-family homes was virtually unchanged in February with a one-point decline to 46 on the National Association of Home Builders/Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), released recently. “Following solid gains over the past year, builder confidence has essentially leveled out and held...

Real Estate Trends: From Trash to Treasure

Edy Roberts — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 18:57:43 +0000

*By Paige Tepping From homes to cabins to dormitories—and everything in between—re-purposed shipping containers, or ISBUs (Intermodal Steel Building Units) are making their mark on the residential real estate sector, blurring the lines between two very distinct industries as one’s trash becomes the other’s treasure. Originally built to transport...

Don’t Get Scammed by a Fraudulent Loan or Mortgage Scheme

Edy Roberts — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 19:16:37 +0000

*By John Voket, RISMedia Consumer Confidant If you made a resolution to solve any credit issues or address mortgage challenges in the new year, then this is for you. We recently heard from some of the nation’s most tried and true ‘watchdogs’ about an issue he will be monitoring...

Tips for Rebuilding after a Storm

Edy Roberts — Wed, 06 Mar 2013 19:12:12 +0000

In the aftermath of a Super Storm, homeowners assess the damage their homes sustained in the storm and will soon begin the rebuilding process. A natural disaster of this magnitude can be daunting, leaving many unsure of where to begin. If your home was affected, read the following tips before...

Q: Where can I get a mortgage?

Edy Roberts — Fri, 01 Mar 2013 19:46:43 +0000

A: You can get a home loan from several different sources—a credit union, commercial bank, mortgage company, finance company, government agency, thrift (which includes savings banks and savings & loan associations), mortgage broker, and even the seller. Note, however, that many lenders have tightened their credit standards in light of...

Avoid Money Pit Homes on Your Next House Hunt

Edy Roberts — Wed, 27 Feb 2013 19:45:58 +0000

Homebuyers should pay close attention and avoid money pit houses as the rules of navigating local real estate continue to change. These rapidly changing rules are happening in every area of the home buying process. Some of these rules have to do with the condition of the homes themselves. Bank...

Bankrate: Mortgage Rates Hit New Record Lows

Edy Roberts — Fri, 22 Feb 2013 19:34:13 +0000

Mortgage rates hit new record lows last week with the benchmark 30-year fixed mortgage rate dropping to 3.50 percent, according to Bankrate.com’s weekly national survey. The average 30-year fixed mortgage has an average of 0.40 discount and origination points. The average 15-year fixed mortgage rate slipped to 2.84 percent and...

Should I Add Clover to My Lawn?

Edy Roberts — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 19:30:41 +0000

Prior to the 1950s, clover was a part of most grass seed mixes for lawns. Clover’s ability to reseed itself and stay green was considered an advantage in the pursuit of a beautiful, green lawn. Over the years, lawn seed mixes have generally dropped the clover and gone with all...