You know that listing photos are essential to selling a home. That's why it's crucial to do them right! Great listing photos can make potential buyers fall in love before they even set... »
Read More of the post Don’t be cheap with listing photos.
Whether you call it a living room, a family room, a den, or something else altogether, this space is meant for relaxing, socializing, and spending time with friends and family. Of course, that... »
Read More of the post GET A LIVING ROOM YOU LOVE TO LIVE IN!
When the economy is UP like it is right now it is even more important to stabilize the housing market. This means stabilizing rates. Housing and unemployment are doing VERY well so a... »
Read More of the post Why are mortgage rates up a little? (Very Little)
How my FICO score is calculated?
The FICO score is calculated from several different pieces of credit data in your credit report. This data is grouped into five categories as outlined below. The percentages... »
Read More of the post What is my FICO score?
I know you are excited to see homes or have to get out there because you have an urgent timeline for your move. But don’t get sidelined by being unprepared. Here are ten... »
Read More of the post 10 REASONS TO GET PRE-APPROVED BEFORE YOU SHOP
THE TAX BENEFITS OF BEING A HOMEOWNER
When purchasing or selling a home, one should consider the many tax benefits. Buying a home is usually the biggest investments a person will ever make. Due... »
Read More of the post BUT BAH IS NOT TAXED, CAN I STILL WRITE ALL THIS OFF ON MY TAXES???
“Inflation is when you pay fifteen dollars for a ten-dollar haircut you used to get for five dollars when you had hair.” (Sam Ewing) When following the direction of interest rates, one only... »
Read More of the post Good News on Inflation
Looking for a baby gift that keeps on giving? Gift of College, an online registry for 529 plans and student loan accounts, lets you contribute to a child’s college education with gift cards for... »
Read More of the post Give the Gift of College
“Well, I’m going down...down, down, down, down, down.” (Jeff Beck) The big news of the week — Bond prices went down, down, down, resulting in a sharp rise in interest rates to levels... »
Read More of the post Bond Prices Drop While Interest Rates Rise
“I've got to admit it's getting better. A little better all the time.” (The Beatles) Sales of new homes increased from July to August, with the available inventory of homes also a welcome... »
Read More of the post Uptick in New Home Sales
"Don't rain on my parade." Barbra Streisand. Housing Starts were on the move higher in August, but the news on future construction was a bit of a damper.
August Housing Starts rose 9.2 percent from... »
Read More of the post Mixed News on New Construction
"Rainy days seem to wind up sunny, long as you got a little spending money." Jimmy Buffett. Retail Sales were on the damp side in August, rising at their smallest level since February.
Retail... »
Read More of the post Consumer Spending Disappoints
"There's no thrill like throwing a touchdown pass." Joe Montana. The labor sector scored in August with solid numbers on job and wage growth.
U.S. employers hired 201,000 new workers in August, above the... »
Read More of the post Growth in Jobs and Wages
Wi-Fi can be slow for many reasons. Here are some tips for checking your Wi-Fi device or placing it properly to ensure the best signal.
Restart your router occasionally. Much like rebooting a mobile device,... »
Read More of the post Speed Up Your Wi-Fi
As interest rates increase and the housing market slows down, wouldn't it be great if a home buyer could just take over a current low rate mortgage on a home? Of course, and... »
Read More of the post Are VA Loans Assumable? YES, and the Buyer doesn’t even have to be VA Eligible!
Did you know?
The first “labor day” assembly in America was held September 5, 1882, when roughly 10,000 working people marched in New York City to urge labor law reforms. Labor Day became a... »
Read More of the post Happy Labor Day
"Can you hear me now?" (Paul Marcarelli) July home sales figures spoke loud and clear regarding the impact low inventory is having on potential buyers.
Existing home sales decreased 0.7 percent to a seasonally... »
Read More of the post Low Inventory Impacts Sales
The Chapman VA Loan Team at HomeBridge Financial now features the VA Renovation Loan
What is a HomeBridge VA Renovation Loan?
As the #1 renovation lender in the U.S., HomeBridge Financial... »
Read More of the post VA Renovation Home Loan: How to Include a $35,000 Remodel into a VA Home Loan
"I'm on my way. I'm on my way. Home sweet home." (Motley Crue) July brought some mixed news for homebuyers around the country who've been looking to find their way to new homes... »
Read More of the post Housing Starts and Building Permits Move Up
"Home. Home on the range. Where the deer and the antelope play." (Bing Crosby) A discouraging word was heard by many potential homebuyers, as home prices continue to rise across much of the... »
Read More of the post Home Prices Continue to Climb
"What a feeling." (Irene Cara) Job growth eased in July, but a closer look at the report shows that job seekers shouldn't be too alarmed.
Non-farm payrolls rose by 157,000 new jobs in July,... »
Read More of the post Solid Job Numbers
Did you know:
The month of August was named for Julius Caesar’s grandnephew, Augustus, who defeated Marc Antony and Cleopatra to become emperor of Rome. As a result, the Roman Senate decided that he... »
Read More of the post Summer Fun Facts
"Sing with me, sing for the year, sing for the laughter, sing for the tear." (Aerosmith) Home sales declined from May to June. The ongoing inventory shortages across much of the country may... »
Read More of the post Economic Growth Surges
"My mama told me, 'You better shop around.'" (The Miracles) Consumers weren't afraid to shop around in June, while construction data did little to lessen inventory woes.
U.S. homebuilders broke ground on fewer homes... »
Read More of the post Retail Sales Rise
"Got the inflation blues." (B.B. King) Small business optimism may be near record highs, but signs of inflation could cause some to sing the blues.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 2.9 percent in... »
Read More of the post Small Business Optimism Neared Record Highs
"I get knocked down, but I get up again." (Chumbawamba) Mortgage bonds have bounced up and down in recent weeks as global trade headlines sparked volatility. The markets were closed Wednesday for Independence... »
Read More of the post Good News on Jobs
If you've got a paint project to tackle in the coming months, here is a little help to make the job easier and cleanup faster. Plus, a few tips to keep you organized... »
Read More of the post Summer Project Paint Tips
On July 4 we celebrate Independence Day — the formal adoption of our Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, the first step in turning the 13 colonies of England into the United... »
Read More of the post Happy Independence Day
"It's gonna be a bright sun-shiny day." (Johnny Nash) The sun was shining on new home sales in May, as they reached their highest level since November.
Sales of new homes rose 6.7 percent... »
Read More of the post New Home Sales Shine
"There's something happening here, and what it is ain't exactly clear." (Buffalo Springfield) Sales of existing homes fell for the second straight month in May, with low inventory being a clear reason why.
May... »
Read More of the post Tight Inventory Has Impact on Sales
Did you know...
Thursday, June 21 marks the summer solstice in the Northern Hemisphere, the first day of summer and the longest day of the year.
On June 21, at the equator, there will be... »
Read More of the post Welcome Summer!
"Rise up." (Lin-Manuel Miranda) Recent tax cuts and a strong labor market helped retail sales rise in May.
The Commerce Department reported that retail sales jumped 0.8 percent from April to May, well above... »
Read More of the post Retail Sales Beat Expectations
"Seems there ain't no end in sight." (Garth Brooks) Home price gains continued in April, with low inventory across much of the country remaining a key culprit.
Research firm CoreLogic reported that home prices,... »
Read More of the post Home Prices Rise as Inventory Remains Low
"I put that work in, day in, day out." (Kelly Clarkson) More people were putting work in, as job growth beat estimates in May.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Non-Farm Payrolls rose... »
Read More of the post Good News on Jobs
We celebrate Memorial Day as a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's military service. This is in contrast to Veterans Day, when we honor all who have served... »
Read More of the post In Honor of Memorial Day
"When she gets there she knows, if the stores are all closed." (Led Zeppelin) Retailers fared well in April, as consumers spent broadly across most retail sectors after a slow start in the... »
Read More of the post Retail Sales Rise
"Are you optimistic 'bout the way things are going?" (Chicago) Tame consumer prices in April helped eased fears of rising inflation.
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.2 percent in April, just below expectations,... »
Read More of the post Tame Inflation Helps Mortgage Bonds
4 keys to building a strong team
To take care of clients when you’re not available, and to have more time for new business, you need a strong team behind you. Here’s how to... »
Read More of the post 4 keys to building a strong team
6 ways to boost your credit score
Pay more than the minimum. Paying the minimum just covers the interest. Paying over the minimum can help increase credit score.
Pay on time. Late payments can hurt... »
Read More of the post 6 ways to boost your credit score.
"Anticipation ... is keeping me waiting." Carly Simon. Between the April Jobs report, inflation news and the Fed meeting, investors had plenty to anticipate in the latest week.
The Jobs Report for April was a... »
Read More of the post Home Prices Higher
