With the summer real estate season upon us, many Americans are considering purchasing a home over the next few months. The total mortgage originations market is estimated to be around $1.2 trillion in 2015. With that in mind, the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and the nation’s more than 6,000 community banks are on […]
Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
With the summer real estate season upon us, many Americans are considering purchasing a home over the next few months. The total mortgage originations market is estimated to be around $1.2 trillion in 2015. With that in mind, the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and the nation’s more than 6,000 community banks are on […]
Tips for First-Time Homebuyers
With the summer real estate season upon us, many Americans are considering purchasing a home over the next few months. The total mortgage originations market is estimated to be around $1.2 trillion in 2015. With that in mind, the Independent Community Bankers of America® (ICBA) and the nation’s more than 6,000 community banks are on […]
Colors Jump from Fashion Runways to Your Hallways, Furniture
It’s lights, camera and time for action when it comes to freshening up your interior spaces this spring and summer. I was intrigued by a recent blog from Koket founder Janet Morais (bykoket.com) who among many creative projects—recently provided exquisite interior design ideas for the film, “Fifty Shades of Gray.” Morais conveyed how a lot […]
New Survey Shows How to Approach Home Buying with Swagger
Spring and summer mean warmer weather and increased home sales, but many homebuyers dread the process. The majority of homebuyers (95 percent) know that credit is important when purchasing a home, and those who know their credit scores feel significantly more prepared to buy according to a new survey commissioned by Experian. In addition, 45 percent […]
Seven Tips for Hurricane Preparedness
In recognition of Hurricane Preparedness Week, which began May 24, the American Bankers Association is encouraging customers to prepare for hurricane season by assessing their home’s risk and developing emergency plans to protect against a potential storm. “It’s critical for both customers and banks to understand their vulnerabilities and prepare accordingly during hurricane season,” said […]
Buying a Home with No Credit? Probably Not
(TNS)—Some financial gurus say consumers should live 100 percent debt-free. No credit cards. No car loans. No debt of any kind for any reason. That might seem like smart advice until the question of buying a home comes up. Then, the debt-free life can become problematic. In 2014, only 5 percent of first-time homebuyers purchased […]
8 Patio Upgrades That Will Add Sparkle to Your Summer
Looking to upgrade your patio this summer? Consider the following DIY upgrades and come June, you’ll be sipping mimosas on your newly pimped out patio. Pizza oven. Make a summer tradition with Friday night pizzas, courtesy of your new outdoor pizza oven. You can purchase one ready to go, or for you weekend warriors, go […]
How Much Would Your Favorite TV Homes Cost in Real Life?
From Roseanne Conner’s home in the fictional Lanford, Ill. to the Dunphy’s gorgeous space in West Los Angeles, Calif., it’s fun to imagine what the real-life homes of our favorite families from television history would’ve cost. (There’s no question Phil Dunphy found himself a great deal—he is a REALTOR® after all!) To estimate the cost of these […]
Avoiding Deadly Hidden Dangers In Your Home
According to the U.S. Fire Administration, more than 2,385 Americans died from residential fires in 2012. Unfortunately over 20,000 people are poisoned by carbon monoxide each year and an unknown number of Americans become ill from toxic molds, often without a diagnosis. Fortunately many of these types of disasters are preventable if homeowners take simple […]