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Case-Shiller: 20-City Home Price Index Hits 6 Month High

According to the Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index for February, month-to-month home prices increased by 0.50 percent from January’s reading and achieved the highest year-over-year gain in six months. Analysts expected February home prices to increase by 4.80 percent.

Thinking About Buying a Rental Property? 3 Reasons You’ll Want to Get a Mortgage Pre-Approval

A rental property is a wonderful investment option to consider, and it can provide you with everything from considerable tax benefits to appreciation and monthly cash flow. While you may be eager to get started searching for a new rental property to invest in, a good idea is to take the initial step to get pre-approved for your mortgage.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 27, 2015

Last week’s housing related reports included the FHFA Home Price Index, the National Association of Realtors Existing Home Sales report and The Commerce Department’s report on new home sales. Results were mixed, but suggest that housing markets are strengthening.

Staging Tips: Let’s Talk Landscaping and How to Prepare Your Yard for the Spring Bloom

When you are preparing to list your home for sale, you may take various steps to stage the interior so that it is appealing to a potential buyer. In addition to various steps you may take with staging the interior, you want to pay attention to your yard as well. During the spring months, many yards look fresh and vibrant, but they also need some extra care in order to boost curb appeal and make a great first impression on buyers.

Home Buying Horror Stories: How Buying a Home Can Go Wrong – and How to Avoid These Mistakes

When you buy a home, you may have dreams of settling into a beautiful new space that meets your needs and that your family can feel comfortable in. While many will enjoy this vision of domestic tranquility after taking ownership of their dream home, others have had their dream turn into a veritable nightmare due to some simple mistakes or oversights on their part.

First-time Real Estate Investor? Here Are 3 Helpful Tips That Will Get You Started

As a first time real estate investor, you may be excited to start searching for a property to invest in. However, be sure to consider the following helpful tips to make your search more successful.

You Ask, We Answer: How Long Should It Take to Sell My House in the Spring?

Selling your home quickly in the spring depends on a buyer’s first impression when they see your house. If you want to sell fast make sure you pay attention to the details like curb appeal, freshening the interior, and pricing your home right.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 20, 2015

Last week’s economic reports included the NAHB Wells Fargo Housing Market Index, Housing Starts, and Freddie Mac’s weekly survey of mortgage rates. Other news included the weekly jobless claims report and consumer sentiment for April.

Ready to Relocate? 3 Tips on How to Set a Moving Budget That Won’t Break the Bank

Relocating to a new area can be exciting, but it can also be expensive. There are many resources to help, but most cost money. However, if you take your time and plan carefully, you can reduce the expense so you dont start your new life with new debt.

Home Builder Confidence Rises in April

The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reported that April’s Housing Market Index rose from a reading of 52 in March to 56 for April. This is in line with warmer weather and the peak home buying season in spring and summer. Readings over 50 indicate that more builders view market conditions as positive as those who do not. NAHB members cited lower mortgage rates and better labor market conditions as reasons they expect more home buyers to enter the market.