According to the Mortgage Bankers Association’s Weekly Mortgage Applications Survey, last week mortgage applications increased 3.6% on a seasonally adjusted basis from the previous week.  The Refinance Index jumped 7% averaging the highest level seen since early April while the Purchase Index fell slightly. Refinance activity made up approximately 50% of all applications.  Additionally, the…

When beginning a move many people feel scared, sad, or anxious that their new house or apartment may not feel like “home”, making the process less appealing. Experts have compiled a few tips that will help movers become more excited about their move, and make their new location feel like “home” very quickly. One idea…

The U.S. luxury-home market is surging this year. Prices of residential properties have significantly increased, and more people are investing in real estate. As the economy and stock market make strides toward improvement, housing market confidence continues to grow. Home purchases for $2 million and up increased 33% in January and February when compared to…

Renter households have been on the rise and home-ownership has fallen among young people since the housing crisis. A new study from Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey states that younger renters would rather own a home than rent for both financial and personal lifestyle reasons. The reason many younger people are renting is not by…

Experts have given a few tips that homeowners can use to help cool their homes this summer, and save significant money. Replacing air filters on a regular basis is advised, and can help keep your home cooler while saving electricity. A dirty air filter can decrease the cooling system’s efficiency by 2%. Adjusting the thermostat…

Two senators are working to change specific reverse-mortgage rules in an effort to keep heirs safer from foreclosure. A growing number of heirs are facing foreclosure after receiving confusing information regarding their parent or grandparent’s reverse mortgage after the borrower has died. Senators Barbara Boxer and Charles Schumer are pushing for the housing department to…

Profits from flipping homes are increasing. The profit for flipping a home has jumped 30% making the average sales price in this year’s first quarter $55,574 higher than the purchase price from last year, according to RealyTrac. Daren Blomquist, vice president at RealtyTrac said, “slowing home price appreciation early this year in many of the…

Remodeling spending is increasing and currently up 30% from its lowest point, and single-family construction is showing signs of improvement, as well. According to recent data, a home improvement project that cost $50,000 in 2010 has now increased to $60,000-$70,000. The costs of materials and labor have grown, and in order to find the best…

Foreclosure rates in the U.S. have fallen, according to current data. Home foreclosures decreased 37% year-over-year, averaging 720,000, down from 1.1 million in early 2013. CoreLogic’s most recent National Foreclosure Report states that there were approximately 48,000 complete foreclosures nationally last month, down 5,000 from this time last year. Mark Fleming, chief economist for CoreLogic…

Your credit score determines many important aspects of your life such as buying a home, a car, or applying for a credit card. Lenders look at your score to decide if your credit is strong enough to qualify for a loan or line of credit. Experts have offered a few tips to help increase your…