The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage dropped lower for the third consecutive week and neared its low for 2017, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey."The 10-year Treasury yield was relatively unchanged this week, while the 30-year mortgage rate fell 4 basis points to 4.1 percent,” says Sean Becketti, Freddie Mac’s chief economist. “After three straight weeks of declines, the 30-year mortgage rate is now barely above the 2017 l
Fifty-six percent of consumers recently surveyed believe that a standard homeowner’s policy covers flood damage. But they’re mistaken, and their assumption could be a costly mistake.The survey by insuranceQuotes of about 1,000 consumers shows a lot of misunderstandings when it comes to home insurance and what’s covered and what’s not.“Being misinformed about your home policy can be an extremely expensive mistake—especially when a few
If you're considering investing in a mobile app for your brokerage, make sure a progressive web app (PWA) is included in your analysis. This technology marries a traditional downloadable app with a mobile-friendly website, and works on all devices, computers, and operating systems.According to Skilled.co, a web development company, the average mobile user accesses four times as many websites as mobile apps per month, and many consumers don't take
Soak brushes in fabric softener to keep the bristles soft. Mix half a cup of fabric softener with a gallon of water, and swish the brush in the mixture for 10 seconds. Lay flat or hang the brush to dry. The softener will keep the bristles from developing a bend and will help distribute the paint more smoothly. Use plastic wrap to protect items from paint splashes. Putting plastic wrap around large items such as toilets and sinks will protect thei
This may be the biggest bargain ever for a home in the San Francisco Bay Area. Two homes in Oakland, Calif., are being listed for a mere $1 each. But obviously, there's a catch.The homes, one of which was built in the 1800s and the other in the early 1900s, are on a site owned by a development company that plans to construct an apartment complex there so the houses would need to be moved to a new location. They will be razed if a buyer doesn't st
Baby boomers and millennials have different attitudes when it comes to marriage, children, and homeownership. Researchers with the National Center for Family and Marriage Research at Bowling Green State University compared adults who were 25 to 34 years old in the 1980s with those who are in that age group today. One difference they found is that millennials are getting married later in life. In 1980, two-thirds of 25- to 34-year-olds were marrie
How is your city’s noise pollution? The Department of Transportation has released a National Noise Map for you to find out. The heat map reveals the medium to loud sounds surrounding 97 percent of the population. The map focuses on airplane and road noise, with views from a national to county level.Areas that appear in blue to deep purple on the map are considered the noisiest, in which nearby residents are exposed to 80 to 95 decibels regular
Over the last 10 years, the price distribution of new homes has changed significantly, as new homes have grown more expensive. Builders blame a weakness among first-time buyers and rising regulatory burdens as the reason for the shift in focus in the pricier tiers of the new-home sector following the Great Recession.The number of new homes that sold for less than $250,000 started to decline prior to the Great Recession. Sales in this segment have
Townhomes are now the fastest-growing segment of the single-family housing construction market, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Construction of townhomes surged 17.8 percent from 2014 to 2015. That is compared to a 10 percent increase of construction of detached single-family homes and a 12.1 percent increase in co-op, condo, and apartment construction in that time period.Last year, townhomes comprised about 12.4 percent o
Home sellers say the greatest challenge for them this year is the lack of homes to choose from when it’s time for them to move, according to a new survey of more than 800 real estate professionals from Redfin.“It’s a seller’s market, but the catch is, most sellers need to buy as well,” says Eileen Lorway, a Redfin real estate professional in the Boston area. “This is a conversation I have with many clients at our first meeting. We dis
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