This is how rates could impact mortgage lenders going into 2020

This is how rates could impact mortgage lenders going into 2020: Although experts predict that 2019's economy will behave similarly to last year's, new data from Capital Economics suggests an oncoming economic slowdown will push the Federal Reserve to slash rates by 75bps come 2020. Several housing market experts weigh in on how this could impact the housing market.

Federal Reserve says student debt has hampered housing market

Federal Reserve says student debt has hampered housing market: Student debt has impacted the housing decisions of young Americans, the Federal Reserve said, delaying homeownership and prompting a significant number of college grads to move away from rural areas. Researchers estimated that 400,000 borrowers who could have purchased a house didn’t because of their debt.

Will Lower Mortgage Rates Escalate Sales Gains?

Will Lower Mortgage Rates Escalate Sales Gains?: After six consecutive weeks of declines in the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage, upcoming data may show whether it has prompted more buyers to make a move.

Is it Time for New Windows?

Whether you just bought your home or you’ve owned it a while, it can be easy to overlook the windows that open it up to the world, as if they didn’t even exist. Even if you don’t, you probably know that a lot of glass and natural light is awesome, but it comes at a cost. As windows age and homes settle, windows can distort ever slow slightly. It’s not enough that you’d notice, at least until the first cold blasts of Arctic air are blowing into your home.

Short of waiting for a major blowing snowstorm, how can you if it’s time for new windows? And what do you do if it is? We’ll walk you through it. Read on, reader!

Signs Your Windows are Giving Up the Ghost

When it comes to the big things in your house, windows are pretty huge. On the hassle scale, replacing windows is up there with a new roof or trying to retile the busiest room in your home. Unfortunately, these are all jobs that you’ll eventually need to tackle, but sometimes you can make repairs rather than start a replacement project that will eat up your money, your time and turn your home into a construction zone.

Starting at a few hundred dollars each, a house full of windows can be a huge investment that you’re unlikely to get back. Before you go window hunting, check this list to see if buying new windows is the right move after all:

• Are your energy bills climbing or already high? A significant rise in your utility bills over the last year, or even five years, that comes from an increased use of power or gas and not simply a rate hike means you’re leaking somewhere. Windows are often the culprit. If you can borrow an infrared camera, you can track exactly where the energy loss is coming from. If you don’t have a friend with such fun toys, many home pros offer this service. Check HomeKeepr for a referral.

• Are they tricky to open or won’t stay open without a prop? Really old windows may have a problem staying open because their corded weights have broken after decades of use and fallen into the interior space between the window and the wall. Newer windows might refuse to close because they’ve shifted ever so slightly. Either way, these are windows that are a huge pain to operate. That alone can be a good reason to replace them.

• Can you hear your neighbors when you’re indoors? Cars, kids and pets, they’re all part of living in most communities, but they also make a lot of noise. Good quality windows will help reduce the volume, though none can block noise entirely. If you can hear your neighbor’s car like it’s in your own driveway, you definitely need to consider a window replacement.

• Do you wake up to condensation between the window glass panes? A small amount of condensation isn’t really anything to worry about, but when it’s widespread or happens every day and hangs around for most of it, your window pane seal has probably been compromised. Sometimes you can contact the manufacturer or the reseller where the window came from and order a replacement pane, but they can be difficult to install and costly, which is why many people choose new windows at this stage. A window with a busted seal is one that’s costing you serious cash. The air trapped between those two (or three) panes of glass act as insulation, reducing the rate at which the window cools.

• Is there extensive damage? Sometimes the damage to your windows can’t really be seen until you open them up, examine moving parts closely and, when necessary, remove some trim to look for rot that’s hidden inside the wall. Small sections of damage can sometimes be repaired, but larger areas indicate that you need to fix whatever cause the damage in the first place and then replace that window with one that’s new and healthy.

What if My Windows aren’t Damaged?

If your windows are in great shape and the only problem you’re having is heat loss, you can do a few different things to maximize your efficiency when the cold wind blows. Those include:

Winterizing. Go around the house and seal up all the nooks, crannies and cracks you might find. A new bead of caulk around each window and door and along all the trim will help reduce drafts.

Sticking up window insulation film. For a temporary fix this winter, you can install window insulation film on the cold windows in question. When installed properly, you can barely tell there’s anything between the room and the window.

Installing heavy curtains. Like a warm blanket on a cold night, a thick insulating curtain can help reduce both heat loss and drafts. The only catch is that you have to keep them closed, which can make your cabin fever burn this winter.

Do You Know Who to Call for New Windows?

When it’s time to put new windows in your house, you don’t have to look any further than your HomeKeepr community for a window installer that you can trust. After all, your real estate agent recommended their favorite subcontractors, people they know will do a professional job each and every time. Come see who’s waiting to help you in the HomeKeepr community.

7 Signs of a Market Cooldown

7 Signs of a Market Cooldown: How to tell if your market is cooling and the ways you can adjust accordingly on behalf of your clients.

Long View for Real Estate as Shutdown Hits Record Stretch

Long View for Real Estate as Shutdown Hits Record Stretch: Most housing markets aren’t yet feeling the effects, but that may change if a prolonged closure affects mortgage applications and payments.

3 Home Repairs That Can Save a Sale

3 Home Repairs That Can Save a Sale: What are the most important fixes that support a higher asking price?

Here’s how the shutdown is impacting mortgage lending right now

Here’s how the shutdown is impacting mortgage lending right now: We’re in week four of the partial government shutdown and it is now the longest shutdown in our country’s history with no end in sight. How is this impacting mortgage lending?

Mortgage Rates Fall to 9-Month Lows

Mortgage Rates Fall to 9-Month Lows: Lower mortgage rates should help firm up home sales, says Freddie Mac’s chief economist.

The housing market's future is female

The housing market's future is female: The housing market is projected to heat up in 2019 and new data from Realtor.com indicates this push will predominantly be driven by Millennial women. According to the company’s latest study, 50% of the top 20 fastest growing buyer first names belong to Millennial women.

8 Reasons You Need a Realtor to Ease Your Home Purchase

If you’re shopping for a house, or even just considering buying one, there’s one person that you absolutely need on your side: a Realtor. Potential buyers often think they can go it alone, but there are a number of things they may not be considering.

What is a Buyer’s Agent and How are They Compensated?

A Buyer’s Agent is your representative throughout the transaction. When you choose a Buyer’s Agent to represent you, they’re going to keep your best outcome in mind. They’re not only legally bound to protect you throughout a real estate transaction, many Buyer’s Agents are also naturally protective of their clients.

Many people are nervous about choosing a Buyer’s Agent because they’re under the impression that they may have to pay an extra fee for their services. However, the fees that the real estate agent and their company earn are set long before you walk in the door. Buyers don’t typically pay their agent directly since the brokerage commission is figured into the price of the house. So cost is not typically an issue for a buyer.

Buyer’s Agents Make Everything Easier for You

Furthermore, your Buyer’s Agent is a lot more than a pencil pusher. They can help make your purchase so much easier in a million ways. Here are just eight of them:

1. Knowing the market inside and out. There’s only so much you can learn about your housing market from looking at houses online. A Buyer’s Agent can tell you what part of town is poppin’ and which areas are not as popular. Getting in on a little-known up and coming neighborhood can mean a very happy long term financial forecast. Remember, typically Realtors are long time members of the community(s) they service.
2. Wanting you in the right house, not just any house. Good Realtors will understand their clients wants and needs. Your Buyer’s Agent is going to pound the pavement looking at houses for you while you’re off working or having a life. Then they’ll make a shortlist, saving you time and effort by eliminating houses you’d never buy, and take you shopping! Most will keep at it until the right house appears, no matter how long it takes.
3. Being a shoulder during the stressful buying process. There’s no better way to say it, buying a house is emotionally draining. It becomes exponentially harder when you add a spouse or partner in the equation. Your Buyer’s Agent has walked lots of people from home shopping to the closing table and will be there for you when you start to panic or the stress is just too much.
4. Giving you advice on creating a reasonable offer. Your Buyer’s Agent has typically written lots of offers, some that were accepted, some that were not. You can take advantage of their professional experience and ask for help creating an offer that will stick. After all, if you offer too little, the seller may not even respond and if you offer too much, you might kick yourself later.
5. Protecting you and your rights throughout the buying process. Your Buyer’s Agent is basically a human shield that stands between you and all the worst things in the market. They’re the ones who will point out shoddy workmanship in homes you’re considering, as well as recommending home pros who can fix it. They also go to bat when it’s time to negotiate repairs after your home inspection. With every step, your best interest is their first priority.
6. Fighting for you if a contract goes south. Hiring a Buyer’s Agent (or a Seller’s Agent when you’re selling, for that matter) is a little like taking out an insurance policy. They help you write your contract and walk you through the buying process, but they also have another vital role to play. If things go sour, they’re going to help you fix it. Buyer’s Agents are the ones helping you weave your way through messy issues, like who should be getting the fridge or whether or not certain items remain with the home.
7. Spotting value you may not see. You’ve decided on a budget and certain specs you want in your home. Well, maybe you can achieve those goals by knocking down a wall or converting an attic into a bedroom. Oftentimes it is very hard for buyers, especially first time buyers, to see beyond the listed specs of a home. Good Realtors have seen and experienced all kinds of renovation projects, conversions, purchases and sales — and can add a perspective you may not be considering on a home that may not check every box you initially thought you needed.
8. Serving you even after closing. Buyer’s Agents don’t just drop you once they’ve cashed their checks. They’re around for you no matter what it is that you need help with, real estate-wise. Need the name of a good painter? A place to buy architectural salvage? Your Buyer’s Agent can set you up.

There’s a Lot to Know About Owning a Home…

But even after closing, you don’t have to worry. Not only is your Buyer’s Agent going to be there to help with questions, your HomeKeepr community is waiting with the doors wide open. Here, your real estate agent can recommend home pros from all kinds of specialties. You won’t ever have to worry about the quality of the workmanship they will provide. What a relief!

Ask the Underwriter: How will the government shutdown affect borrowers seeking a mortgage?

Ask the Underwriter: How will the government shutdown affect borrowers seeking a mortgage?: [Expert Commentary] By continuing to hold funding of the federal government hostage to his demand for a border wall, President Donald Trump has successfully built a (hypothetical) wall to keep borrowers from realizing the American dream of homeownership. Here's how each type of mortgage is being affected by the government shutdown.

15 Housing Markets Outperforming the Rest

15 Housing Markets Outperforming the Rest: Smaller secondary areas that have lower home prices are high in demand, according to a new analysis from realtor.com®.

The Clients Shaping 2019 Housing: Women, Millennials, and Hispanics

The Clients Shaping 2019 Housing: Women, Millennials, and Hispanics: The first names associated with these three groups saw a significantly faster rise in home sales growth in 2018, and they’re emerging as a leading force for 2019.

Better Days Coming in Housing for 2019?

Better Days Coming in Housing for 2019?: NAR’s latest pending home sales index showed a drop in sales, but economists believe a reversal may be in sight. Find out why.

Better Days Coming in Housing for 2019?

Better Days Coming in Housing for 2019?: NAR’s latest pending home sales index showed a drop in sales, but economists believe a reversal may be in sight. Find out why.

Better Days Coming in Housing for 2019?

Better Days Coming in Housing for 2019?: NAR’s latest pending home sales index showed a drop in sales, but economists believe a reversal may be in sight. Find out why.

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