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While cleaning out gutters is a dreaded task for many homeowners, it must be addressed in order to keep potential structural disasters at bay. Blocked gutters can cause damage to the trim and siding of your home, interior walls, and can even cause leakage in your basement. Listed here are a few tips that may…

Consumer confidence in housing is on the rise, reaching an all-time-high. According to Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey for October 2014, 45% of survey participants believe that they will be more financially secure within the next year. Many of the participants also expect the economy to improve, and 44% expect housing prices to jump and believe…

The National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI) reports the housing market continues to make successful strides toward recovery. The U.S. housing market reached 90% of its normal economic housing activity last quarter, up 1% from the second quarter of 2014. Positive recovery is expected to maintain gradual growth. Kevin Kelly,  the…

According to Freddie Mac’s most recent Primary Mortgage Market survey, mortgage rates increased for the second week in a row. The survey reports that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped over 4%, coming in at 4.02% averaged nationally while the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also increased 0.8%, and averaged 3.21% nationally. Additionally, the national averages for the…

According to a survey that involved 2,000 home-buyers, 80% said they regretted at least one thing about their house, post-purchase. The study found that the number-one complaint was that the home was too small. Following close behind, the main regrets were, lack of closet space and not enough bathrooms. Experts have given a few tips…

Sealing your asphalt driveway is a necessary preventative measure to ensure protection from water. Cracks and potholes from water damage can result in expensive repairs. Here are a few tips for applying asphalt sealant: When sealing your driveway, make sure there is no expectation of rain for up to 72 hours after application. Also, the…

According to Black Knight Financial Services, as many as 25% of American borrowers with 30-year mortgages could benefit from refinancing their homes. Trey Barns, the senior vice president of Loan Data Products for Black Knight Financial Services said, “before the most recent reductions in the average 30-year mortgage interest rate, approximately six million borrowers met…

Reverse mortgages have begun to gain more positive attention as new laws make the option more attractive to both borrowers and loan officers. In the past, there were some concerns, but now that new laws protect the borrower, the option has become safer, and ultimately, more appealing. Reverse mortgages have ensured that many older Americans…

Insurance payments can be burdensome, but they are a necessity for you, your family, and your home. A few things you can do to help reduce your insurance costs are: Don’t switch companies too often, this may help reduce your payments or provide you with free credit from companies who reward for loyalty. Shop around…

Garage doors get a great deal of use and require special care to continue working properly. A few things you can do to keep your garage door well maintained are: Check all components of your door to make sure they are functioning correctly. Look for broken or bent pieces that may need repair. Lubricate the…