Home Selling

Latest Scam: Fake Grandson and Dead ‘Grandmother’

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TAMARAC, Fla. – A man posed as a dead woman’s grandson to steal her home, moving into her three-bedroom Tamarac residence, with plans to eventually sell it, the Broward Sheriff’s Office says. Braden Emdin, 38, is accused of gaining access to the home, squatting there, and then planning to flip the home for about a … Read more

Average Long-Term U.S. Mortgage Rate Fell to 7.12%

However, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage remains near the 22-year high it hit three weeks ago. Last week, it was 7.18%. LOS ANGELES (AP) – The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate fell again this week but remains near the 22-year high it hit three weeks ago, offering little relief for house hunters facing persistently high prices … Read more

Mortgage Rates Retreat, Drop to 7.18%

After hitting a 20-year high last week of 7.23%, the average rate on a 30-year, fixed-rate mortgage moved lower again. A year ago, the FRM averaged 5.66%. LOS ANGELES – The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate slipped after climbing for five consecutive weeks to a more than 20-year high, a modest relief for would-be homebuyers … Read more

For Buyers It’s Not the Rate, It’s the Increases

Buyers get used to mortgage rates and incorporate them into decisions, but increases/decreases make them wonder if they should move quickly or hope they come back down. NEW YORK – Despite the highest mortgage rates in a generation, new houses continue to sell. The U.S. Commerce Department on Wednesday reported that a seasonally adjusted 714,000 … Read more

Mortgage Rates Top 7% – Highest Level in 2 Decades

A 30-year, fixed-rate loan averaged 7.09% this week, its highest level since it was 7.13% in April 2002. It also exceeds a high of 7.08% hit last fall. WASHINGTON – The average long-term U.S. mortgage rate jumped this week to its highest level in 20 years, grim news for would-be homebuyers already facing high home … Read more

RE Listing Strategies that Attract Top-Dollar Offers

Start with local research. What words to buyers use most often when searching for a home? What words are within listings that see the most clicks? NEW YORK – Both words and images make an impact when marketing homes for sale, says Colibri Real Estate’s Tina Lapp, who has almost 30 years of professional education … Read more

The 80/20 Rule – Intro to Mortgage Insurance

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Mortgages revolve around a 20% down payment, and buyers who put less down use mortgage insurance to do so – yet many don’t understand what that means. KEY BISCAYNE, Fla. – Mortgage Insurance is one of the most misunderstood topics in real estate. When buyers use financing and their down payment is less than 20% … Read more

FHA 203(k) Loans: What They Are, How They Work

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Most buyers want move-in ready, but they’ll have a wider selection with fixer-uppers, and an FHA 203(k) loan can roll upgrade/repair costs into their first mortgage. NEW YORK – When you buy a home, there are usually a few repairs to pay for. Buyers who want to take on a real fixer-upper might be facing … Read more

Do-It-Yourself Projects that Add Value

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A do-it-yourself home-improvement project reaps rewards at the time of sale, providing it’s done right. Many DIY projects require pros, but some can be handled in-house. NEW YORK – Improving the value of a residential property is an ongoing project, and for many homeowners, this means sharpening up their DIY (do it yourself) skills, especially … Read more

When Should I Disclose Contemplated Interest?

A Realtor completed a professional apartment-building property appraisal on behalf of the seller, and the valuation was used to negotiate a final price with the buyer. But the seller later filed an ethics complaint because the Realtor managed the buyer’s properties. Is it an ethics violation? ORLANDO, Fla. – Dear Shannon: I’m a long-time Realtor … Read more