The calendar may say it’s winter, but the spring real estate market isn’t far off. This period is one of the most popular times to buy or sell a home in most of the country, and in some regions, it begins as early as January or February. If you’re planning to make a move, spring can be the ideal time to sell your current home and find your next one. Here are some of the reasons why spring is such a hot time to buy or sell a home: The holiday season has passed, allowing homebuyers and sellers to focus on their home searches and sales. The weather is warming and the days are getting longer, pro ..read more

Your home should be one of the places where you are most relaxed. It should be a refuge from many of life’s stresses and a haven that provides comfort, privacy and amenities. How you arrange and maintain your living space, however, may determine whether your home relieves stress or contributes to it. Here are some tips you can apply to help relieve stress and promote relaxation at home. Clean and declutter Keeping your living areas clean and organized helps you stay relaxed, healthy and efficient. Try setting aside at least 30 minutes a day for basic tidying, and schedule a deep cleaning for y ..read more

Your credit scores are important numbers that influence everything from which credit cards you can obtain to the interest rate on your next mortgage. While it’s crucial to know which factors affect your credit scores, it’s equally important to know which ones have no impact. To that end, you can rest assured that the things listed below have no direct influence on your credit scores. Most personal details: Race Religion Age National origin Sex Marital status and history Employment status and history Education Criminal record (excluding certain civil judgements) Anything else not listed o ..read more

You may have seen our recent announcement that conforming and FHA loan limits are increasing for 2024. This is great news because it means that two of the most popular types of mortgages are now or will soon be available for larger loan amounts. Higher limits allow homebuyers and homeowners to use these loans for larger home purchases and refinances, which is important after another year of rising home values. Home sellers also benefit when these higher limits help buyers purchase their homes. Read on for more information about these loan types and the new limits. Conforming Loan Limits Confor ..read more

Winter has many charms, but the shorter daylight is on few people’s list of favorites. While you can’t make the sun stay up longer, you can take simple steps to make your home look and feel brighter. Here are seven ways you can bring more light into your home this winter. Curtail the curtains Heavy curtains are great at insulating, but they can also block out the sunlight and leave your home feeling dark and cramped. Open your window treatments during the day to maximize light, and consider investing in sheer curtains or other options that provide privacy and insulation while letting in light ..read more

As the excitement of an upcoming vacation builds, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of preparing your home for your absence. Taking the time to secure your living space and create a welcoming environment for your return can contribute significantly to a stress-free getaway. This checklist of tasks will help ensure your home is in top shape before you depart. Don’t share your travel plans on social media Announcing your upcoming vacation online can be a greenlight for thieves to target your home. Instead, wait until you’ve returned to share the details of your trip, and make sure your ..read more

Today’s higher mortgage rates have increased the cost of buying a home, but most recent homebuyers have a plan: buy now, refinance later. According to a survey conducted by U.S. News in September, 84% of homebuyers who purchased a home with a mortgage in the previous year said they plan to refinance. But what does a mortgage refinance involve, and what are the benefits and drawbacks? Read on to learn more. What is a mortgage refinance? A mortgage refinance is the process of replacing a current mortgage on a home with a new mortgage with new terms. Popular reasons to refinance include to obtain ..read more

In today’s digital world, many people rely on credit cards, debit cards and electronic payments while keeping very little cash on hand. This can be a convenient and secure way to handle spending during normal times, but being caught without enough cash during an emergency can spell trouble. Here’s what you need to know about keeping a supply of emergency cash. Why to keep cash at home Electronic payments are so ubiquitous and reliable that it’s easy to forget that they can fail. Natural disasters, power or internet outages, cyber-attacks or other disruptive events may make it difficult or impo ..read more

As the holidays draw nearer, many people are beginning to plan their gift shopping. If you need a little extra help choosing gifts for the important people in your life, here are some tips that will help you select the perfect presents without breaking a sweat or the bank. Ask your recipient If you haven’t already, ask your recipient about their interests, hobbies and tastes – as subtly or directly as you see fit. Use the products, ideas and experiences they mention as a starting point for your gift-selection brainstorming. Get an insider’s recommendation If you don’t know a person well enough ..read more

Last year, there were many pessimistic forecasts about the U.S. housing market. After home prices had soared nearly 50% nationally during the pandemic, a growing number of economic commentators began calling home values a bubble and predicting an impending housing crash like the one that began in 2008. When nationwide home prices peaked and began falling in June 2022, it appeared that these predictions might be correct. However, by early 2023, the market had resumed its rise. Now, home values have hit a new record high, and talk about a housing bubble seems to have mostly faded away. So, what ..read more