As the U.S. housing market struggles to rebound, many homeowners are stuck with hard-to-sell properties longer than expected. Some frustrated home sellers who must relocate for a new job opportunity, want to downsize or simply want to buy a new place have left homes empty. Vacant or unoccupied homes can leave the homeowner exposed to [...]
Posts under ‘Investment’
10 Ways to Find Your Confidence When Speaking in Public
Have you ever had to make a presentation to a room full of people and felt like you could’ve done better, a lot better? Public speaking is one of the most common fears of working professionals. These tips will help with your next speaking engagement. =) Whether it’s two, 20 or 200 people, it’s easy [...]
Bring Out the Best in Basements
Basements can adopt a split personality. On the one hand, it’s a sweet storage space with minimal décor and a high tolerance for accumulating dust. Yet when it’s time to sell — especially in a competitive real estate market — or expand the home’s livable square footage, the basement needs a little dressing up. That’s [...]
Take a Break from Your Digital Devices – Your Eyes Will Thank You
Eye strain, fatigue and headaches are common indicators that your digital devices – including computer monitors, smart phones and video games – might be causing you discomfort. According to recent research with VSP Vision Care eye doctors, 33 percent reported that nearly one third or more of their patients suffer from symptoms of Computer Vision [...]
Five Smart Reasons to Buy a Home Now
The economy is stabilizing. Home prices are holding. It’s not just as good a time as ever to buy a house. It’s one of the best times ever. ForSaleByOwner.com presents five overlooked reasons why now is a great time to buy a house. 1. Low mortgage rates serve as an equity shock absorber. When buyers [...]
Foreclosure activity increases nationwide – States with the most foreclosures
A new report shows 154 of the 206 U.S. metropolitan areas with a population of 200,000 or more posted year-over-year increases in foreclosure activity. The report by RealtyTrac® also showed nine of the 10 metro areas with the highest foreclosure rates experienced declines. Four states—Florida, California, Nevada, and Arizona—accounted for the top 20 metro foreclosure [...]
Record Lows Continue for Mortgage Rates
The 30-year fixed mortgage rate fell to a new low of 4.54 percent this week from 4.56 percent last week and an average of 5.25 percent a year ago. The 15-year fixed loan rate also hit a record low of 4 percent, down from 4.03 percent a week ago and 4.69 percent last year. The [...]
Energy Retrofits Could Save $41 Billion a Year
A new Pike Research report states that if all the commercial buildings in the United States that currently exist were retrofitted to be more energy efficient, the country as a whole would save over $41.1 billion a year in energy bills. Titled “Energy Efficiency Retrofits for Commercial and Public Buildings,” the study estimates that property [...]
