26 Dec 2018
By Aadil Nathoo

FOMC Raises Key Rate, Forecasts 2 Rate Hikes in 2019

Real Estate, ,
During its post-meeting statement, the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve announced that its target range for the Fed's key interest rate would increase one quarter percent to 2.25 to 2.50 percent. While this rate hike was not expected by the Executive branch, it met analyst expectations. FOMC said in its customary post-meeting statement that members expect to make two interest rate hikes in 2019 as compared to three rate hikes in 2018 and the Committee's original forecast of three rate hikes in 2019. Given current economic conditions, the Fed forecasted only one rate hike for 2020. Hawks…
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24 Dec 2018
By Aadil Nathoo

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 24th, 2018

Financial Reports, ,
Last week's economic news included readings from the National Association of Home Builders, Commerce Department readings on housing starts and National Association of Realtors® report on sales of previously-owned homes. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and first-time jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Home Builders Lose Confidence as Housing Crunch Continues Homebuilder confidence fell to a 36 month low in December as homebuilder concerns over rising home prices, high mortgage rates and decreasing inventories of available homes sidelined home buyers. The NAHB Housing Market Index fell four points to 56. Components of the Housing Market Index reading also fell as…
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21 Dec 2018
By Aadil Nathoo

Big Cities vs. Secondary Markets: Where to Buy?

Real Estate, ,
Atlanta, Charlotte, New York and Los Angeles are always on the real estate radar because of big ticket sales and good media coverage. The secondary markets - those markets without the celebrity undertones - may actually be better deals. With the price of borrowing money rising and occupation rates dropping in primary markets, places like Nashville and Birmingham are looking better to investors. Where Are the Secondary Markets? A secondary market is generally defined as a mid size or large city that has recorded an uptick in growth in the immediate past. They do not have quite the economic clout…
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20 Dec 2018
By Aadil Nathoo

How To Choose Between Laminate And Hardwood Flooring

Real Estate, ,
Picking out a new flooring can be exciting. After all, as anyone knows, new flooring in a home or business property can completely change the entire atmosphere. A common question asked by commercial and residential property owners is "Should I go with laminate or hardwood flooring?" If you have found yourself asking this question, understand that both types of flooring materials each have their own pros and cons. For the most part, hardwood flooring tends to be more expensive than laminate but this isn't always the case. Let's take a quick look at the benefits and disadvantages of laminate and…
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19 Dec 2018
By Aadil Nathoo

How Will Interest Rates Affect the Market in 2019?

Real Estate, ,
Forbes and other reputable publications have predicted a continued rise in interest rates over 2019. The initial shock of the Fed's action caused a slowdown in real estate markets over the final part of 2018. As the shock wears off, experts are divided as to whether more expensive money will continue to translate into lower housing starts and occupancy rates for primary markets. Many experts believe that the rising 2018 interest rates have not yet baked themselves into the real estate market. They point to past instances of relatively high real estate hikes and the slower uptake into the property…
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