Michael Haigh's (mhaigh) Blog

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Mortgage and Lending - The Michael Haigh Team - NMLS# 200819
RECENT BLOG POSTS
There was plenty of discussion and debate leading up to the New Year's looming "fiscal cliff". Ultimately, the event was avoided, but not before legislation was passed which may benefit homeowners in San Mateo and nationwide.  If you have yet to file your 2012 taxes, take a minute to review the t...
02/06/2013
Older Burlingame homes sometimes offer more charm and character than the newer houses of today. They boast gabled roofs, crown moldings, hardwood floors and antique fixtures. Buying an old house is like buying a piece of local history. Its beautiful period features can give it a timeless beauty a...
02/05/2013
Mortgage rates worsened last week amid evidence of an improving economy. Conforming mortgage rates climbed in California and nationwide, rising to a 4-month high. Freddie Mac has the average 30-year fixed rate mortgage rate at 3.53% for borrowers willing to pay 0.7 discount points plus a full set...
02/04/2013
With telecommuting continuing to rise, and with more jobs requiring after-hours attention, showcasing your home's "home office" can help it show better with a prospective home buyer.  It's wise to have your kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms show well, but a great-looking home office can make a huge...
02/01/2013
The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to maintain the Federal Funds Rate within its current range of zero to 0.25 percent, and to continue its current stimulus program of purchasing $85 billion monthly in Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities (MBS). Citing weath...
01/31/2013
When preparing to sell a home, few things improve its curb appeal more than a fresh coat of exterior paint.   Many people are intimidated by the thought of painting their home's exterior, and choose to hire a third-party to handle the work. But, you can do it yourself, with these easy steps. Firs...
01/30/2013
The National Association of REALTORS® (NAR) reports that the Pending Home Sales Index fell 4.3 percentin December as compared to the month prior. The index now reads 101.7. The Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of U.S. homes that have gone "into contract", but have not yet closed. The ...
01/29/2013
Mortgage rates rose last week as investors gained confidence in the global economy. China and Europe posted better-than-expected manufacturing rates, U.S. Jobless Claims fell for the second straight week, and the worst of the European debt crisis appears to have passed. Last week's economic news ...
01/28/2013
Home sales dropped last month, but not because demand was lacking. There are fewer homes for sale than at any time in the last 11 years. According to the National Association of REALTORS®, Existing Home Sales for December 2012 fell to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized rate of 4.94 million homes f...
01/24/2013
If you're looking to buy a home in a golf course community, either as a primary residence or as a vacation or retirement home, there are additional home traits which make buying on a golf course different from buying a typical San Mateo single-family residence. Here is a quick primer of home char...
01/23/2013
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Michael Haigh

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