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King of Prussia, PA Real Estate News

By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 21, 2013   Many of the economic and housing reports typically scheduled were delayed by the federal government shutdown.   The National Association of Homebuilders Wells Fargo Housing Market Index for October was released Wednesday with a reading of 55, lower than the projected 58 and previous month’s revised reading of 57. The original reading for September was 58, which was the highest measure of builder confidence since 2005.   NAHB cited concerns over mortgage rates and the federal government shutdown and its consequences as reasons for homebuilder confidence slipping.   While the NAHB HMI reading was lower than last month, it remains in positive territory as any reading over 50 indicates that more home builders are confident about...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Existing Home Sales - Highest New Home Inventory Since January 2012   The National Association of REALTORS reported that existing home sales for July came in at 5.39 million on a seasonally adjusted annual basis. July’s reading exceeded both expectations of 5.21 million existing homes sold and June’s reading of 5.06 million homes sold. This suggests good news for home buyers who’ve been constrained by limited supplies of homes for sale. As home prices continue increasing in many areas, more homeowners are likely to list their homes for sale. Existing home sales for July rose by 6.80 percent year-over-year. The Federal Housing Finance Agency Home Price Index reported a 7.70 percent year overyear increase in prices for homes financed by Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac. This reading was slightly...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
4 Things To Do In Advance To Prepare For Your Mortgage Application   If you are applying for a mortgage to buy a home, doing your homework in advance before you submit the application means that you will stand a better chance of getting accepted at a desirable mortgage rate. According to mortgage experts, it is a good idea to gather up all of the needed documents in advance before launching your house hunt, as this will make the application process a lot easier. The housing burst has resulted in much harder lending standards, which means that it could possible take weeks or sometimes even months to secure a loan.   Here are 4 important steps that you should take in advance:   #1 Consider What You Can Really Afford   Before you start the entire house hunting and mortgage application proc...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
5 Important Tips To Protect Your Home From Burglars When You Are Away   Any family would feel violated after coming home to a ransacked house. Burglars look for specific things when choosing a home to break into, and many homeowners are unknowingly inviting criminals through the front door. Below are five ways you can avoid drawing the eyes of thieves and deter your home from becoming a target. Beware Of Selling To Strangers If you're wanting to sell items on Craigslist or another internet-based classified ad website, attempt conducting your transactions outside of the home. If you must meet at home, screen the person over the telephone to ensure that they are truly interested in the item you're selling. Thieves have been known to make appointments just to check out your home. Be Carefu...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Can That Killer Home Theater Add Value To Your Home?   Many home owners dream of having a home theater - an entire room of the home dedicated to enjoying television and film. These rooms are usually equipped with a large flat screen television or projector, comfortable seats, mood lighting and perhaps even a bar or a snack fridge. They are very comfortable and the perfect place to relax after a hard day. They are also lots of fun for entertaining, as you will be able to watch the big game or the hottest new release with your friends in style. However, will spending the money on renovating your home to create a theater room be a smart investment? Does this type of home improvement add a lot of value to the property, or will it turn off potential buyers? Buyers Interested In Tech-Equipped...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Case-Shiller Reports Energetic Annual Home Price Gains Nationally   The most recent S&P/Case-Shiller Index showed all three composites posting double-digit increases over the last four quarters.  The national composite, which is the broadest based index, showed an increase of 10.2% annually. The 20-City composite posted even stronger annual growth at 10.9%. Click Here To Download The Full Report The Case-Shiller Index measures changes in home prices by tracking same-home sales using 10-City, 20-City and national housing markets; and the change in sales price from sale-to-sale. Detached, single-family residences are used in the Case-Shiller Index methodology and data is for closed purchase transactions only. 12 Of 20 Metro Markets Notch Double-Digit Annual Growth Between March 2012 and M...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Avoid These Common Mistakes When Pricing Your Home To Sell   It can be very difficult to determine what your property is worth in the current marketplace, because you are biased by what the property is worth to you. These emotions can get in the way of impartially evaluating a property and often cause sellers to overprice their home. When pricing your property, you need to be objective and reasonable so you can come up with a selling price that will capture the interest of buyers. Here are a few examples of common mistakes people make when pricing their house for sale. Reading Too Much Into Online Comparable Properties Avoid relying too much on online pricing information of sold houses. They can be a perfect place to start for getting a general idea of how much real estate is worth, but...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - May 20, 2013   Last week was jam-packed with economic news; here are some highlights with emphasis on housing and mortgage related news: Monday: Retail sales for April increased to -0.1 percent from the March reading of -0.5 percent and also surpassed Wall Street's downward forecast of -0.6 percent. Retail sales are important to economic recovery as sales of goods and services represent approximately 70 percent of the U.S. economy. Tuesday: The National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) released its Small Business Optimism Index for April with encouraging results. April's index rose by 2.6 points to 92.1. A reading of 90.7 indicates economic recovery. This index is based on a survey of 1873 NFIB member businesses. Wednesday: The Nation...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
7 Tips To Make Your Living Room More Appealing To Home Buyers   Everyone knows that first impressions are important. By carefully staging your home, you can positively influence the feelings your potential buyers have when they are viewing the property. Staging is the art of decorating and arranging the spaces within your house to make it more appealing to buyers. If you can adapt the rooms to create an attractive and welcoming zone that home buyers can see themselves in, they will be more likely to buy your property. One of the most important rooms to stage is the living room, because it is such a central part of the house. This is where a lot of the social activity occurs, so it should appear comfortable and welcoming. Here are some tips to keep in mind when staging your living room b...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
How To Maximize Those Awkward Spaces In Your Home   In almost every King of Prussia home, there are awkward spaces that are difficult to utilize. Especially in older houses, there are rooms, closets and nooks that once had a purpose that is now outdated. So before you try to cover it up or fill it with junk, take a look at the smart solutions below to see how you can revitalize those problematic spaces and turn them into something useful. The Space Under The Stairs While this is likely to be more of a hiding spot for dust-bunnies than teenage wizards, it is valuable space that you don't have to board up. Use it for storage! Create custom storage cabinets, or if it's near the kitchen, build in a wine refrigerator or display shelves for china. You could also build in a coat or shoe closet...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - May 6, 2013   Mortgage rates fell last week and approached or reached record low levels. According to Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage (FRM) fell from 3.40 percent to 3.35 percent. Average rates for a 15-year FRM moved from 2.61percent to 2.56 percent. Average rates for a 5/1 adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) fell to 2.56 from last week's average of 2.58 percent Discount points for last week's mortgage rates ranged from 0.7percent for 30 and 15 year FRM loans to 0.5 percent for a 5/1 ARM. Rock-bottom mortgage rates can offset the impact of rising home prices. Last Week Was A Strong Showing For The US Economy Last week's economic news provided further indications of economic recovery, with housing related reports con...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Can The Right Color Help Sell Your Home Faster?   When it comes to selling your home in King of Prussia , you've probably thought of the most common staging tricks, such as clearing out the clutter to make your rooms look bigger and bringing in more light to brighten things up. However, have you considered that the colors in your house might affect whether buyers are interested? First impressions are everything when you are selling a house, so think about how the colors you choose will likely influence your potential buyers. A new coat of paint could be a simple and effective way to make your house more appealing. Here are a few additional tips: Choose Mellow, Neutral Shades When a potential buyer is looking at your house, they want to be able to imagine themselves living there. If your...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Case-Shiller Home Price Indices Post Highest Growth Rates Since 2006   Housing markets continue to improve according to the S&P Case Shiller Home Price Indices released April 30 for February's data. The Indices consist of a 10-City Composite Index and a 20-City Composite Index with housing markets for each city reported based on a three-month rolling average of home prices. Case Shiller Posts Highest Growth Rates Since 2006 The data released yesterday comprised the Indices' highest growth rates since May 2006. For the 12 months between February 2012 and February 2013, the 10-City Composite Index reports that average home prices posted a gain of 8.6 percent and average home prices for the 20-City Composite Index grew by 9.3 percent on a non-seasonally adjusted basis.  All 20 cities poste...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
7 Fun and Easy Housewarming Gifts for A New Homeowner   Whether you have new neighbors next door or old friends moving across town, a housewarming gift is a great way to show you care. New owners always appreciate anything that relieves the pressures of moving and settling in to an unfamiliar neighborhood. Here are seven fun and easy housewarming-gift ideas for your friends moving into their home. A Door Wreath You can choose a wreath that fits the season or that is simply attractive on the front door. Include a wreath door-hanger and storage box so they can easily hang it or put it away. A Pair of Candlestick Holders Candlesticks are a simple, yet practical gift for a new King of Prussia home. They're perfect for a mantel, dresser or table. Choose attractive candlestick holders that ma...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
7 Tips To Get Your Home In Tip Top Selling Condition   A clean, uncluttered home is very likely the single most important thing to get your home sold quickly and for top dollar. In fact, a recent survey by HomeGain showed a whopping 568% return on investment for money put toward cleaning and organizing a home for sale! And other experts say that a well-put-together home can shorten the time on market drastically as well. Before your real estate agent lists your King of Prussia home, it's essential for it to look its best. 7 Tips To Get Your Home In Tip Top Selling Condition Examine your living space and see it as a buyer would — then double check this list of staging tips to make sure you haven't overlooked these important details. Clear out the clutter. Tidy up counter tops, bookcases,...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
How To Have the Best Garage Sale Ever At Your Home   It's getting close to that time of year again — time to have a garage sale at your home! Here are a few tips to help you have your most successful garage sale ever. Advertise Your Sale In Local Newspapers And Online Many of the habitual Saturday morning garage sale patrons around King of Prussia use the paper to plan their treasure hunts. They do this to make sure they hit all of the sales in certain neighborhoods. In the ad, mention your home address, date and time of your garage sale and any big or popular items you'll be selling. Open Your Sale Early It's best to open early, such as around seven in the morning a sales tend to taper off in the afternoon. Don't disappoint early shoppers who are typically your best buyers. They have a...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Existing Home Sales Numbers Show Value Gains Across America   The National Association of REALTORS® released its Existing Home Sales report for March on Monday. Sales dipped from February's seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.95 million to 4.92 million existing homes sold in March, a decrease of 0.6 percent month-to-month.  This reading was lower than Wall Street's consensus of 5.03 million existing homes sold, but there is also good news. Sales of existing homes are up by 10.3 percent as compared to March 2012. Economists note that existing home sales have performed within a narrow range of 4.90 to 4.96 million since November 2012. This illustrates the impact of lower numbers of existing homes available for purchase in Pennsylvania and around the country. The National Association of H...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
5 Important Questions - Before You Invest In Solar Power For Your Home   If you've been considering taking your home in a green direction, April is the perfect month to make an environmentally friendly update. Installing a solar energy system may be a very smart way to help the environment. Plus, solar panels turn sunlight into energy that can save you money! The federal government and many states are now providing tax incentives and rebates for installing solar panels in 2013 which make this an excellent opportunity to go green this spring. However, there are many installers that might not have the necessary experience, so be sure to ask the questions below when searching for your solar energy system. How many solar panel systems have they installed? You want to make sure to find a rep...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - April 22, 2013   Mortgage rates fell for the third consecutive week. According to Freddie Mac, the average rate for a 30-year fixed rate mortgage fell by two basis points to 3.41 percent as compared to last week's 3.43 percent and 3.90 percent year-over-year. The average rate for a 15-year fixed rate mortgage was 2.64 percent as compared to last week's 2.65 percent and 3.13 percent year-over-year. Falling mortgage rates were attributed to reduced consumer spending. Last week's economic news includes the NAHB Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI), with a reading of 42 for March. This is four points below investor expectations and two points below February's results. A reading of 50 or above indicates that more of the builders surveyed have a p...
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By Joe Gonzalez, NMLS# 126036 (610) 739-6563
(CrossCountry Mortgage, LLC NMLS #3029)
Home Builders Hold Great Confidence For New Homes Over Next 6 Months   The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) Wells Fargo Housing Market Index (HMI) report for April shows that builder confidence slipped by two points to a rating of 42 from the March reading of 44. The Housing Market Index (HMI) measures home builder confidence in market conditions for newly built single family homes. A reading of more than 50 indicates better than average confidence, while readings below 50 indicate that home builders have concerns about current market conditions. NAHB Housing Market Index Results For April Home builders expressed concern over a gap between a growing demand for homes and builders' ability to meet the demand for new homes as housing market conditions improve. Top concerns cite...
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