News – Page 148

November 14th, 2014

By Blanche Evans
November 14, 2014
There are two ways to build equity, or ownership, in your home. One is to pay what you owe your lender which reduces the principle owed on your mortgage, and the other is to take advantage of market upswings which increase the value of your home.

One way to build equity is to put more money down on the home you want to buy. Lenders have returned to tried and true models of income-to-debt ratios, requiring that borrowers put more money down when they purchase a home. While it’s still possible to get zero-down loans, such as those offered by the VA, most loans with low down payments require mortgage insurance.

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Weekly Market Activity Report-November 10, 2014

As many markets begin to prepare for colder weather or festive family gatherings, a familiar seasonal slowing will begin to creep into the

weekly numbers. Yet housing activity can be expected to float along at a seasonally healthy pace like a fallen leaf on a lazy river. With no

big, negative economic news on the horizon, reliable sales, price and inventory figures, though not flashy, are quite welcome.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending November 1:

• New Listings decreased 9.2% to 1,076
• Pending Sales decreased 6.2% to 940
• Inventory increased 5.7% to 17,760

For the month of October:

• Median Sales Price increased 7.2% to $209,000
• Days on Market decreased 4.0% to 72
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.6% to 95.2%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 10.8% to 4.1

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Weekly Market Activity Report- November 3,2014

In the buildup of anticipation for the season of pumpkin carving, caramel apple eating and haunted house touring, it came out that one number was spookily down. Homeownership is at its lowest point in 20 years and has been steadily dropping since the housing bubble years from 2004 to 2006. Interestingly, we are now at levels consistent with a healthy market. Also, rising rents should eventually give cause to more households seeking ownership positions. So-called bad news is good, especially in the dark days surrounding Halloween.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 25:

• New Listings increased 4.5% to 1,267
• Pending Sales decreased 10.4% to 861
• Inventory increased 5.5% to 17,894

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $205,000
• Days on Market remained flat at 71
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.9% to 95.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 18.4% to 4.5

Bourbon Pumpkin Cheescake

Gourmet | November 2003; originally published November 1990

Click Here for this delicious recipe…

2-Minute Fix-It – Fall: Cleaning Gutters

Buying a Home in the Fall

Realtor.com

The real estate market is open 365 days a year – yes, even on holidays – but there are cyclical trends to the marketplace. Some of those ups and downs are based on mortgage interest rates and housing availability, but some are based on season.

Next to spring, fall is the busiest season for home buying and selling. Autumn offers certain benefits to home buyers, including year-end tax breaks, pleasant weather conditions for moving and a wide selection of homes for sale. Read on to learn the advantages of buying in the fall.

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Weekly Market Activity Report – October 27, 2014

Rising home prices and continued housing stability continue to lure new listings and keep inventory at a comfortable level. Although things like student debt and lethargic wage growth may provide some obstacles for first-time home buyers, those on the hunt for homes are still graced by relatively low inflation and low mortgage rates. The seasonal slows may settle in soon, but the market remains mostly content.

In the Twin Cities region, for the week ending October 18:

• New Listings increased 1.6% to 1,310
• Pending Sales increased 5.1% to 912
• Inventory increased 6.1% to 18,094

For the month of September:

• Median Sales Price increased 5.1% to $204,999
• Days on Market remained flat at 71
• Percent of Original List Price Received decreased 0.9% to 95.6%
• Months Supply of Inventory increased 18.4% to 4.5