ARCHIVED BLOG POSTS
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
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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
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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
Real estate agents in many cities will tell you that it can be harder to sell a home in the winter. The days are colder and shorter, leaving less time to show a home to potential buyers. The good news, though, is that most buyers looking at houses in the winter aren't just killing time. They're s...
01/22/2013
If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to sell your San Mateo home, there are a few simple steps you can take to help prepare it for showings. With a prospective buyer in mind, take a tour of your home, making a list of the good, the bad, and the not-so-bad. You may spot areas in need of major ...
01/18/2013
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Housing Market Index ended its 8-month winning streak this month, posting a value of 47. The January 2013 reading is on level with last month, and remains at a near 7-year high. The Housing Market Index (HMI) is a measure of home builder confidence....
01/18/2013
For home buyers in San Mateo and nationwide, credit scores can change low mortgage rates and alter home loan approvals. Borrowers with high credit scores get access to lower mortgage rates, for example, and can find the mortgage approval process to be more smooth that borrowers with low credit sc...
01/18/2013
Rainmaker
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Michael Haigh
Production Manager/Top Producing Sr. Loan Officer