Some consumer groups worry that buyers may not fully grasp what they’re giving up in these agreements, especially those offered by for-profit companies. The housing market was maddening for first-time buyers, even before the pandemic spurred a crush of sales last year. The median U.S. sale price reached $346,900 in 2021, up almost 17 percent … Read more
There will be more luxury sellers in 2022 than in 2021, and while there will be fewer actual luxury buyers, it is still a seller’s market,’ the president of Luxury Portfolio International predictsSeller’s market is here to stay — but with fewer luxury buyers in 2022 Luxury real estate had a strong 2021, with demand … Read more
Cities such as Phoenix, Tampa and Boise are seeing huge increases, forcing tenants to decide about their budgets and what matters. Rising inflation is hitting the wallets of many Americans. The cost of rent is where some are feeling it most. Over the past year, the median cost of rent has risen by nearly 20% … Read more
Inflation is heating up and could accelerate further, but the impact on mortgage rates is likely to be modest thanks to the Federal Reserve laying out a clear roadmap of its plans to withdraw its support for mortgage markets in the months ahead. That’s according to the latest economic and housing forecast from economists at … Read more
When homeowners get their property value assessment from the local government this year, they might find themselves with sticker shock. Thanks to sale prices that have risen as much as 20 percent year-over-year, those estimates are likely to be much higher than they were the year before, leading to a spike in property taxes. With … Read more
Americans would no longer be able to use some popular strategies to move money into tax-free Roth individual retirement accounts under a roughly $2 trillion education, healthcare and climate package House Democrats approved on Friday. The bill, passed along partisan lines and expected to be amended by the Senate, includes a series of provisions Democrats … Read more
Let’s face it: We often waste money on stuff we don’t really need. But there’s a big difference between splurging and wasting money on purchases and services that, while marketed as useful, are bad buys. At Washington Consumers’ Checkbook, they’re often warning about products, services and extras that aren’t worth shelling out money for, such … Read more
Whether you’re making a repair that could be covered by your insurance policy or will need to update your policy to reflect the changes you make to your home, it’s smart to keep your insurance company in the loop. When you’re in the thick of making plans and interviewing contractors for a home renovation, you … Read more
While a 20 percent down payment is preferable, there are many programs offering financial assistance to first-time buyers and mortgages requiring as little as 3 percent down. If you’ve been longing to buy your first home, it might be the right time to make a move as mortgage rates are among the lowest ever. Yet … Read more
The Federal Reserve could begin tapering its purchases of mortgage-backed securities as soon as November, adding momentum to market forces that have been pushing mortgage rates up in recent weeks. The Fed has been careful to telegraph its intentions, in order to avoid surprising investors and sending rates soaring too quickly, as happened during the … Read more
