According to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index from the Mortgage Bankers Association, mortgage credit availability increased last month by .5% averaging 116.4. The jump is good news as it means lending standards are becoming more relaxed. Experts have implied that the increase is due to the growing number of jumbo adjustable rate mortgages. Additionally, many…

Home appliances can be expensive and unexpected purchases that cause significant financial setbacks. A few ways you can save money when buying a new home appliance are: Overlook scratches and dings that can help lower the price of your appliance. Look for older models that are still new. Search for great deals at different locations…

According to the Labor Department, U.S. employers added 209,000 jobs last month making July the sixth straight month that the job market has reached 200,000 or more added jobs. The labor market has not experienced job gains for this long of a period since 1997. Job growth will help lower unemployment rates over the next…

Having hardwood floors in your home is a timeless feature that adds to the home’s value, but many people are unaware of how to properly maintain wood floors to keep them looking new for many years to come. A few ways you can keep your hardwood floors well maintained are: Dust the floors every week…

The Special Inspector General for the Troubled Asset Relief Program’s report has stated that there is approximately $22 billion dollars of usable money from the Treasury’s Making Home Affordable program, with an additional $3.4 billion available from the Hardest Hit Funds Program. These available funds are for struggling mortgage holders to ensure they can keep…

Selling a home can be stressful and time consuming, and although the housing market is strengthening, that doesn’t necessarily mean selling your house will be without obstacles. A few reasons you may have trouble selling your home are: Price- if you are pricing your home too high it may take a long while to sell…

Last month, home resales increased at the fastest rate seen in approximately eight months. According to the National Association of Realtors, existing home sales exceeded many analysts’ expectations by jumping 2.6%, increasing the annual rate to 5.04 million units. As mortgage rates decrease and the U.S. job market continues to grow, the housing market is…

July and August are typically the hottest months of the summer, and keeping your home cool during these months without spending a fortune can be difficult. A few tips that may help you stay cool in your home during hot summer months are: Keep blinds and curtains closed, this will block out hot sun rays…

Reverse Mortgage rules are about to change for married couples making the loan process considerably easier. In the past, there have been instances where one spouse took out a reverse mortgage loan and then passed away, leaving the surviving spouse facing foreclosure. On August 4, 2014 the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development will…

Many people now eschew unhealthy chemicals and pesticides when attempting to control insects that have invaded their homes. Here are a few ways you can naturally get rid of unwanted bugs in the house: Make sure all of your windows and doors are properly sealed and that when opening windows you have screens on them.…