Mitigation Can Soften Flood Insurance Hikes

Hi Friends!

During my reading today I found this article and thought you may have some interest in it.

"REALTORS® are reporting dramatically rising flood insurance premiums because of recent changes to the National Flood insurance Program. But while some home owners could see big increases in their costs, the changes are likely to be less dramatic for many — and some increases can be reduced by taking steps to mitigate flood risk, federal officials and private-sector experts said at the REALTORS® Conference & Expo."

To continue reading: Mitigation Can Soften Flood Insurance Hikes
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Neighborhood Preferences 

Are Changing 

Hi Friends,

Here is an article I came across in my reading today that I thought you may have some interest in.

"Americans are increasingly showing their desires for walk able neighborhoods that combine a mix of homes and stores. In fact, a new survey shows that the least popular neighborhood is a suburban one with just houses in it.

Sixty percent of Americans surveyed say they favor neighborhoods with a mix of houses and stores and other businesses that are easy to walk to over neighborhoods that require greater driving among home, work, and recreation, according to the National Association of Realtors' 2013 Community Preference Survey of 1,500 Americans."

To Continue Reading:
Neighborhood Preferences Are Changing


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Home Value Appreciation Set to Ease Over the Next Year

Hi Friends,

I wanted to share with you this article I found during my reading today.

"The recent fast-paced home price appreciation across the country led some markets to the brink of a bubble, but deceleration over the summer months has Zillow analysts breathing a sigh of relief as the bubble threat deflates.

Home value appreciation has declined steadily for three months, according to Zillow, and half of the nation’s 20 largest metros experienced negative appreciation in September."

To Continue Reading:

Home Value Appreciation Set to Ease Over the Next Year

Let me know if you have any questions!

Should I Buy a Home Now

or Pay More Later?

Hi Friends,

I came across this information in my reading today and I thought you may have some interest in it.

“With mortgage rates creeping up toward 5% as 2013 draws to a close, potential home buyers have some decisions to make — and soon.
The danger for potential home-buyers isn't that mortgage rates are nearing 5.00%; the real threat is that rates could go higher, to 5.50% or even 6.00% in 2014.”

The article spells out the financials consequences a buyer would face by waiting. ($67,746 on a $300,000 mortgage).
They went on to identify four things a buyer should take into consideration before delaying a decision to purchase.

1. Rates will likely rise — and soon with 5% interest rates right around the corner.
2. The Federal Reserve will stop “tapering” causing rates to return to historically normal levels (6-7%).
3. Home values are rising
4. The autumn buying season is underrated “as you can take advantage of year-end tax breaks and the fall weather makes it an ideal time to move”.

Bottom Line
The financial advice Forbes gave to their readers was rather simple. Buy now or pay more later!!

Let me know if you have any questions!

5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional

Hi Friends,

Today during my reading I came across this article that I thought you may have some interest in.

"The real estate market is a place where most people will make their largest investment ever. It is a place where fortunes can be, and often are, made.  It is not a place, however, for you to “wing it”.

While the myriad TV shows about real estate make the process look so simple – it’s not really that simple… they make it seem like all you need to do is slap a for sale by owner sign in the yard, have one open house with fresh flowers and fresh baked cookies and bam! SOLD! in one day.  Well I can tell you that in New Hanover County, North Carolina it takes an average of 121 days to sell a home. An average means that some houses take much longer to sell and some much less than 121 days to sell."

To continue reading:  5 Reasons to Hire a Real Estate Professional

Let me know if you have any questions!

The Price of Real-Estate

Experience: $25,000

Hi Friends,

Did you ever wonder if it matters who you use to sell your house?  If you have, then I think you may find this article interesting.

We’ve said it before; “Experience Matters,” and especially in these times, an agent who’s seen the market in the Up’s and the Down’s
is worth their weight in gold.

If you’re considering buying or selling, consider the value of Experience, and call The McLeod Group.  We’ll bring you home.

"Can you put a price on experience? In real estate, you can. It is about $25,000 for the average house.Veteran agents sell homes for an average of 12% more than their less experienced counterparts, says Bennie Waller, professor of finance and real estate at Longwood University in Farmville, Va. Veteran agents also tend to list more new properties, more townhouses and condominiums and larger properties."

To continue reading: The Price of Real-Estate Experience: $25,000

Let me know if you have any questions!

What Does the Government Shutdown Mean for the Housing Market?

Friends,

Everyone has questions about the Government shut-down and it's effect on the housing market. Please see the attached article for a bit of clarification. I don't see anything here that panics me and I would encourage you to go on with life!  

Call me if you have any questions!

What Does the Government Shutdown Mean for the Housing Market