Drops 14% in two years March 30, 2016 Brena Swanson 0 Comments KEYWORDS OCC Office of the Comptroller of the Currency Top mortgage banks The mortgage portfolio of the top banks in the market has steadily dwindled over the past two years, according to the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency’s quarterly report on … Continue reading Mortgage portfolios at national banks continue to dissipate

Millennials most willing generation to use HELOCs February 23, 2016 Kelsey Thompson Homeowners have begun to invest more in their homes as property values continue to rise, according to TD Bank. Of the 1,350 homeowners in the bank's survey from late December through early January, about 56% believe their home’s value has increased and about … Continue reading Homeowners now more likely to use equity for renovations

Finding the Right Homeowners Insurance Homeowners insurance protects your investment. Fires, earthquakes, falling roofs or trees, strong winds, all can create damage. There is also the possibility of someone getting injured on your property, leaving you responsible for all the insured's medical expenses and exposed to litigation. You end up with expenses that puts undue … Continue reading Finding the Right Homeowners Insurance

Battle between perception versus reality February 22, 2016 Kelsey Thompson Just under 50% of homeowners with a mortgage (about 66% of homeowners) in the U.S. expect their equity will increase in 2016, even though about 60% say equity in their homes already increased during the last three years of the housing recovery, according to research … Continue reading loanDepot: Vast majority of homeowners wrong about their home values

by Kathryn Vasel   @KathrynVasel February 11, 2016: 12:40 PM ET Flint has a housing problem. Nationwide, the average vacancy rate is 1.6%, according a report from RealtyTrac. But in Flint, Michigan, the rate is nearly five times higher at 7.5%--the highest in the nation. "That is pretty worrisome," said Daren Blomquist, vice president at … Continue reading There are a lot of empty homes in Flint, Michigan

by Kathryn Vasel   @KathrynVasel February 22, 2016: 5:06 PM ET If you're looking to buy a home but don't have the 20% down payment sitting around, Bank of America is now offering mortgages with as little as 3% down. The new loan program is aimed at helping low- and moderate- income borrowers get home … Continue reading Bank of America will offer mortgages for 3% down

Legislation would give more rights to condo owners in association disputes Lisa Carlson stands in her water-damaged condo on Feb. 14, 2013, in Highland Park. Her situation and the ensuing court case spurred several bills to help condo homeowners pitted against their condo associations.   (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune) Matthew WalbergContact ReporterChicago Tribune When … Continue reading Legislation would give more rights to condo owners in association disputes

by Kathryn Vasel   @KathrynVasel February 10, 2016: 12:59 PM ET    An outdated kitchen or leaky roof can make it harder to sell a house. But an even bigger home value killer is a homicide. According to Randall Bell, a real estate broker who specializes in real estate damage valuation, a non-natural death in … Continue reading Death can really kill your home value

CHICAGO, Feb. 22, 2016 – Most homebuyers face a basic question: How much fix-up work are they willing to do on the home they purchase? RE/MAX brokers report that for many buyers the answer is “not much,” but the brokers also contend that tackling a home in need of work isn’t only for home repair … Continue reading Should You Tackle a Fixer-Upper Property? It All Depends on What Kind of Home Buyer You Are, Say RE/MAX Brokers