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Category Archives: Waccabuc NY
Which housing regions sailed and which failed so far in 2014? | Waccabuc Real Estate
Economic growth is modest and moderate but steady, according to the latest and somewhat sunny-side Beige Book, the comprehensive economic report published by the Federal Reserve that covers all 12 Fed districts — but housing markets across the 12 districts varied from poor to hopeful.
Economic conditions continued to expand from January to early February, according to the Beige Book researchers.
Fully eight districts reported modestly improved levels of activity. New York and Philadelphia experienced a decline in economic activity, which was mostly blamed on cold weather.
Growth slowed in Chicago, and Kansas City reported that conditions remained stable during the reporting period.
Nationally, residential real estate markets continued to improve in several areas but as the Fed was quick to underscore – modestly.
Boston and New York saw mixed home sales, and Philadelphia, Cleveland, Minneapolis, and Kansas City reported a definite decline in sales. Several of the 12 fed districts cited low inventories of housing and continued home price appreciation.
Residential housing markets among the 12 districts were mixed, and the regional reports didn’t even list real estate activity as a notable industry in the Beige Book.
If you want to pay off a mortgage early, should you do it gradually or all at once? | Waccabuc Real Estate
Q: I am wondering what your opinion is about paying additional money toward my mortgage principal to pay off the balance early. Is it better to put extra money into paying off the mortgage, or should I invest that same money in another investment or 401(k)? I’d like to be able to either pay off the mortgage in 10 years at age 66 or have the funds available from other investments or my 401(k) to pay off at that time. — Tami
I’m often asked whether it’s better to prepay a mortgage or invest the difference. But you’ve put a fresh twist on it: You already know you want to pay off your mortgage early and are just looking for the best way to do that. With that goal in mind, you need to consider your own level of financial literacy and comfort with investing.
THE RISK-FREE ROUTE
Putting money into your home is a simple and safe investment. You will effectively “earn” your net interest rate. So, if your mortgage interest rate is 4.5 percent, and you don’t itemize your deductions, every dollar you prepay earns an effective interest rate of 4.5 percent – a lot better than you’ll do if you keep the cash in a savings account.
The nice thing is you won’t lose any money on this investment. It’s risk-free. And you’ll be building equity in your home. Paying off your mortgage by the time you retire means you’ll reduce your living expenses just as your income is potentially diminishing.
The Dirty Little Secret About Guest Blogging | Waccabuc Real Estate
So I was doing my daily blog reading routine when I encountered a certain post. In it, the author was complaining about receiving a lot of guest posts with clear “client links” in the bio boxes. In other words, guest posts where the author wanted to promote a third-party company or website instead of their own personal brand.
The blogger in question was kind of angry that these guest authors “would dare” to send such posts, instead of wanting to “share with the community naturally.”
So the main question is this: Is guest posting on your client’s behalf bad?
(Well, you can see my point of view in the headline, but I’m curious to learn yours, so feel free to comment.)
Anyway, I’m going to tell you exactly why guest posting for clients isn’t bad at all, and also, what you can do when dealing with bloggers declining your posts just because your link points to a client.
Reality of guest blogging
There’s a lot of guest blogging advice circulating around. Most of it portrays the whole practice as a fairy tale. The preachers use words like: “when you guest post, you get to add to the community, reach out to other people, be part of something bigger than yourself.”
True.
But it’s not the whole truth.
Guest blogging is always an exchange between the writer and the host.
The host gets a free post (unless they pay for guest posts, ekhm). The writer gets an audience to speak to, the possibility to spread their brand, and the chance to link some website of their choice. In a word, they get to grow just a tiny little bit thanks to the guest post.
Now here’s the kicker, I honestly believe that if there was some international law forbidding guest bloggers to link to their projects, we’d see at least a 90% drop (not that I’ve done any research) in the volume of guest posting done worldwide. And I’m not trying to judge whether it’s good or bad, that’s just what would likely happen.
Now, since the above pretty much explains that most of guest blogging is done to achieve the writer’s goals and pursuits (in other words, it’s a case of “me marketing”), let’s move on to the next thing.
Read more at http://www.jeffbullas.com/2014/03/04/the-dirty-little-secret-about-guest-blogging/#muLSQhzkk9A4duHJ.99
The Etiquette of Homebuying | Waccabuc NY Homes
Google Maps Gallery makes neighborhood info easier to find and understand | Waccabuc Real Estate
Cohen and Steers, Real-Estate Pioneers, Blaze New Trails | Waccabuc Real Estate
With NAR’s blessing, realtor.com is on the hunt for its first chief economist | Waccabuc NY Homes
Realtor.com, the official consumer website of the National Association of Realtors, is on the hunt for what will be the first chief economist in its 18-year history.
NAR had previously barred Move Inc., which operates realtor.com under an exclusive license with NAR that dates back to 1996, from hiring a chief economist to interpret housing market trends.
The trade group employs a stable of analysts, including NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun, who help Realtors interpret housing trends for their clients.
“As the real estate industry and our relationship with realtor.com continue to evolve, both organizations agreed that two voices are stronger than one,” NAR spokeswoman Sara Wiskerchen told Inman News.
The hire will give the portal a seat at the real estate media table now occupied by Zillow and Trulia, who have had chief economists since 2009 and 2011, respectively.
Zillow Chief Economist Stan Humphries and Trulia’s Jed Kolko have become high-profile sources in media stories and housing forums, which gives their firms added exposure and credibility with consumers.
– See more at: http://www.inman.com/2014/02/28/with-nars-blessing-realtor-com-is-on-the-hunt-for-its-first-chief-economist/#sthash.e8YafuNp.dpuf
Fixed Mortgage Rates Continue Gradual Climb Higher | Waccabuc NY Real Estate
Freddie Mac today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average mortgage rates mixed with the fixed-rate products moving higher for the fourth consecutive week, while adjustable rate mortgages eased.
News Facts
- 30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.37 percent with an average 0.7 point for the week ending February 27, 2014, up from last week when it averaged 4.33 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.51 percent.
- 15-year FRM this week averaged 3.39 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.35 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.76 percent.
- 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.05 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, down from last week when it averaged 3.08 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.61 percent.
- 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.52 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, down from last week when it averaged 2.57 percent. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.64 percent.
Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for the Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.
Quotes Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.
“Mortgage rates edged up with new home sales exceeding expectations and rising to a seasonally adjusted pace of 468,000 units in January, the strongest annual rate since July 2008. The 9.6 percent increase in new home sales for January followed an upward revision of 13,000 units in December. The S&P/Case-Shiller® 20-city composite house price index rose 13.4 percent over the 12-months ending in December 2013.”