There are some new mortgage rules that went into effect this week that have a lot of home buyers wondering “just how much harder will it be to buy a home”. Fortunately lenders have been preparing for this change for some time now, and most people will not even notice a change. There are some things you can do to make sure you have all of your ducks in a row to make the process easier.
 
“You may have heard that new mortgage rules issued by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) take effect today. If you’re shopping for a home or planning to refinance your mortgage, you may be thinking: Isn’t getting a home loan already a lot tougher than it used to be? Will these new rules make it even harder for me?”
 
Read the entire article here… http://www.zillow.com/blog/2014-01-10/understanding-new-mortgage-rules/
 

 
Pierce County Statistics:
Homes for sale in Spanaway: Average Price Per Square Foot ; ...

Moving is never an easy process. Between the packing, relocation and set up of your new home it can be a taxing experience for everyone. When you have children it can be especially difficult for them. The young ones in the family are potentially leaving behind friends and having to adjust to a new environment. Taking some time to make sure your move is easy on your children can be beneficial for them as well as you. Adding a bit of fun to the moving process may take the emotional edge off for them. Let them help pack. Googly eyes on their boxes? Sure, why not?!
 
“Moving into a new home is a complicated and certainly emotional process. Not only do you have to find the right home for you and your family, you also have to pack up and relocate your entire life when it’s time to move in. Going through this process is difficult enough and when you add kids into the equation - things get even tougher.”
 
Read the entire article here… http://firstteamreas ...

As we start a new year many people start contemplating their goals for the next 12 months. If a new home is on your short list of accomplishments in the future why not start the year with a plan? Having a plan of attack on how to achieve your goals can simplify the process and better help you achieve home ownership.
 
 “If you’re hoping or planning to buy a home in 2014, there are some action-type resolutions you’ll need to make, whether you call them that or not: getting your credit and money matters in order, linking up with the right real estate and mortgage pros - that sort of thing.”
 
Read the entire article here… http://www.trulia.com/blog/taranelson/2013/12/4_new_year_s_resolutions_for_2014_home_buyers
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With mortgage rates on the rise, the next year is a going to be crucial for home buyers. If you want to own a home within the next year, buying sooner rather than later could save you thousands of dollars in interest!
 
“The Fed announced they would be pulling back some of their stimulus package which has helped the housing market by keeping long term mortgage rates at historic lows for the last few years.”
 
Read the entire article here… http://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2013/12/23/tapering-begins-2/
 

 
Pierce County Statistics:
Homes for sale in Spanaway: Average For Sale Price November 2013: $244,000. Up 2.1% compared to the last month. Average Sold Price November 2013: $190,000. Down 2.1% compared to the last month.
Homes for sale in Tacoma: Average For Sale Price November 2013: $253,000.  Down 3.4% compared to last month. Average Sold Price November 2013: $171,000. Down 10.9% compared to last month.
Homes for sa. ...

There are many options to consider when shopping for your new home. Do you buy one that already has exactly what you want and pay a little more up front? Or spend less up front by purchasing a fixer-upper and put in a little elbow grease?
 
“Buying a fixer-upper upper can be a great idea. You get a home in a great area at an affordable price with the potential of getting twice what you paid for it in value once you’ve finished a couple repairs. This of course is a best case scenario, but it is achievable. However, there are lots of things to think about before you take the plunge and invest your time, money and personal energies into a fixer-upper. Let’s start with a simple pro and con list to help you decide if you should purchase a fixer-upper.”
 
Read the entire article here… http://firstteamrealestate.realtytimes.com/advicefromagents1/item/26906-what-every-buyer-needs-to-know-about-buying-a-fixer-upper
 

 
 
 
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