Island Living Blog
Mortgage rates hit a 14-month low
Rates for home loans fell to the lowest in a year as inflation cooled and investors braced for a slowing global economy. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.37% in the February 14 week, mortgage guarantor Freddie Mac said Thu...
Mortgage rates dip at start of 2019
Prospective buyers should have a bit more pep in their step as 2019 begins with comparably low mortgage rates, according to the latest Freddie Mac Primary Mortgage Market Survey. According to the survey, the 30-year fixed rate mor...
Top 10 real estate tips
Existing-Home Sales Begin with a Bang Existing-home sales began 2017 with a bang, growing 3.3 percent and hitting a 10-year high in January, according to the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR). With the exception of the Midwest, every ...
5 Tips for Buying a Foreclosure
Get prequalified for a loan and set aside funds, and you’ll be ready to purchase a foreclosed home. When lenders take over a home through foreclosure, they want to sell it as quickly as possible. Since lenders aren’t in the real esta...
Your Property Wish List
What does your future home look like? Where is it located? As you hunt down your dream home, consult this list to evaluate properties and keep your priorities top of mind. What architectural style(s) of homes do you prefer? Do you wan...
6 Tips for Buying a Home in a Short Sale
By preparing for a real estate short sale, you can emerge with a great home at a favorable price. When sellers need to sell their home for less than they owe on their mortgage, they’re shooting for a short sale. Short sale homes can so...
7 Reasons to Own Your Home
Tax breaks. The U.S. Tax Code lets you deduct the interest you pay on your mortgage, your property taxes, as well as some of the costs involved in buying your home. Appreciation. Real estate has long-term, stable growth in value. W...
8 Tips for Finding Your New Home
A solid game plan can help you narrow your homebuying search to find the best home for you. House hunting is just like any other shopping expedition. If you identify exactly what you want and do some research, you’ll zoom in on the home you w...