Before Moving, Check Your New Cost Of Living Estimates

by Jon Terry | Jun 30, 2012 | Blog, Buying A Home, Moving, Personal Finance

With home values slow to rise and mortgage rates at all-time lows, there’s never been a more affordable time to own a home.  However, there is more to the cost of living than just a mortgage payment.  There’s the cost of groceries, gasoline and routine...

Mortgage Guidelines Resume Tightening Nationwide

by Jon Terry | May 3, 2012 | Blog, Buying A Home, Mortgage Guidelines, Mortgage Rates, Mortgages

Despite an improving U.S. economy, the nation’s banks remain cautious about what they will lend, and to whom.  Last quarter, by a margin of 3-to-2, more banks tightened residential mortgage lending standards for “prime borrowers” than did loosen...

What’s The First Thing You Should Do After A Home Purchase?

by Jon Terry | Apr 28, 2012 | Around The Home, Blog, Buying A Home, Construction/Maintenance, Moving, Residential Real Estate

Did you remember to handle the most basic safety precaution for your new home? When people buy homes , there’s a tendency to think “Big Picture” on home improvements.  Flooring, painting and furniture are common “just-moved-in” purchases,...

Pending Home Sales Index Remains Strong Into Spring

by Jon Terry | Apr 19, 2012 | Blog, Buying A Home, Housing Analysis, Residential Real Estate, The Economy

The housing market took a step back in February, but remains near post-recession highs. According to data from the National Association of REALTORS®, February’s Pending Home Sale Index slipped .5% from the month prior, to 96.5.  The Pending Home Sales Index is a...

Building Permits On The Rise

by Jon Terry | Apr 7, 2012 | Blog, Buying A Home, Housing Analysis, Residential Real Estate, Statistics

The new construction housing market appears primed for growth this season. According to the Census Bureau, the number of single-family building permits issued in February rose to 472,000 on a seasonally-adjusted, annual basis, marking this the highest building permit...

FHA Mortgage Insurance Premiums Increasing April 9, 2012

by Jon Terry | Apr 5, 2012 | Blog, Buying A Home, Mortgage Guidelines, Residential Real Estate

Planning to use an FHA-backed mortgage for your next home loan? You might want to get your application in gear today. Beginning next week, the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) is changing the way it charges mortgage insurance to U.S. homeowners. For the fourth...