new york: Is Your Credit Score Good Enough To Buy A House? - 03/20/19 12:17 PM
A lot of Americans are holding back on buying homes because of their credit score. The sad truth is the majority of this group are misinformed and should have already started earlier than they plan to.
Only 25% of the Americans have a FICO Score between 740 and 800. Here is the breakdown according to Experian: 1
6% Very Poor (300-579)
18% Fair (580-669)
21% Good (670-739)
25% Very Good (740-799)
20% Exceptional (800-850)
Randy Hopper, Senior Vice President of Mortgage Lending for Navy Federal Credit Union said,
"Just because you have a low credit score doesn't mean you can't purchase a … (3 comments)

new york: Benefits Of Owning A Home - 03/06/19 03:16 PM
Although it can be said that the amount of the benefits depend on where you live, the fact remains that there are many financial and non-financial reasons favoring homeownership
Non-Financial Benefits
Educational Achievement: Homeownership has a positive impact on academic achievement, including reading and math performance in children 3-12 years old. Civic Participation: "Owning a home means owning a part of the neighborhood." Homeowners have a stronger connection to their neighborhood and are more committed to volunteer. Health Benefits: Adjusting for a range of demographic, socioeconomic and housing-related characteristics, homeowners have a substantial health advantage over renters. Public Assistance: The report shows … (0 comments)

new york: Three Key Indicators Of A Healthy Real Estate Market - 03/05/19 03:33 PM
With the traumatic devastation caused by the last housing bubble, it's understandable why a lot of Americans can be a little paranoid when it comes to market fluctuations. We tend to worry about heading into another housing crash whenever we see changes in the market. Good news is, we no longer have to go through all that unnecessary stress for here are three indicators to let us know how the market then and now are different from each other.
Home Prices Mortgage Standards Foreclosure Rates HOME PRICES
A decade ago, home prices depreciated dramatically, losing about 29% of their value over … (3 comments)

new york: Buying A House Is Easier With The Power Of Two - 02/22/19 03:21 PM
Statistics show that the majority of homebuyers last year were couples, this totally makes sense as the down payment is particularly easier to tackle when shared with a partner.

According to the National Association of REALTORS most recent Profile of Home Buyers & Sellers, married couples once again dominated the first-time homebuyer statistics in 2018 at 54% of all buyers.
If you're single, don't fret! Single women made up 18% of first-time buyers in 2018, while single men accounted for 10% of buyers. One recent article pointed to a sense of responsibility and commitment that drives many single women to want to … (2 comments)

new york: Setting The Best Price For Your Home - 02/21/19 03:00 PM
Pricing your home right is one of the most challenging part of the sales process, too low may mean a loss on your end, on the other hand, you can be at risk of having a stale listing if you price it too high.
If your plan for 2019 includes selling your home, you will want to pay attention to where experts believe home values are headed. According to the latest Home Price Index from CoreLogic, home prices increased by 4.7% over the course of 2018. The map below shows the results of the latest index by state.

Real estate is … (0 comments)

new york: Are You Spending Your Money On Your Own Mortgage? - 02/14/19 03:43 PM
Would you rather pay rent so someone else can afford to pay the mortgage or buy your own home so all the money you spent on it monthly will leave you with something to call your own?
As Entrepreneur Magazine, a premier source for small business explained in their article, "12 Practical Steps to Getting Rich":
"While renting on a temporary basis isn't terrible, you should most certainly own the roof over your head if you're serious about your finances. It won't make you rich overnight, but by renting, you're paying someone else's mortgage. In effect, you'e making someone else rich." … (0 comments)

new york: Knowing Your Home's Actual Value Helps In Selling - 02/12/19 03:51 PM
The value of a certain property plays a vital role in pricing during the selling process. It is essential to know your home's current value to reinforce and be able to competitively set a price for it. Here is a list of factors that affect a home's value.
"Homeowners with mortgages have seen their home equity more than double since 2011, increasing to a record-setting $8.3 trillion in 2017."
The average homeowner gained $16,200 in home equity between Q2 2017 and Q2 2018 according to the latest release of CoreLogic's Home Equity Report. Since 2011 home values have increased significantly throughout … (2 comments)

new york: Selling In Winter Is Indeed A Wise Move - 02/07/19 03:16 PM
Historically, most people wait until spring to enter the market either to sell or buy. In recent years, however, there has been quite a number of Americans observed to be active in the market and has been successful with their endeavors. Taking advantage of less competition is indeed a wise approach.
The supply of homes for sale dramatically increases every spring, according to the National Association of Realtors (NAR).
As an example, here is what happened to housing inventory at the beginning of 2018: Putting your home on the market now, rather than waiting for increased competition in the spring, might … (1 comments)

new york: Don't Let Student Loan Stop You From Owning a Home - 02/06/19 03:17 PM
One of the most common reasons preventing young Americans from owning a home is student loans. This is not necessarily a bad thing, on the contrary, it's good to know the millennials know their priorities.
Recent studies show that having a bachelor's degree actually brings up the chance of a person becoming a homeowner.
In a recent Forbes article, the author explained that "in just the class of 2017, the average student has about $40,000 in debt - almost enough for a 20% down payment on a median-priced home."
The Federal Reserve set out to determine exactly how much impact student … (1 comments)

new york: Reasons Why Some Buyers Are More Interested In Existing Homes - 01/30/19 03:35 PM
Buying brand new things is always a delight, but recent surveys show that when it comes to buying homes, not all people prefer brand new units. This is good news to all homeowners who are thinking of moving out or upgrading.
According to a recent survey by Zillow, of the 38% of total buyers that added new construction to their list, only 11% ultimately purchased a newly constructed home! They added that 71% of these buyers are repeat buyers who are financially secure, with 45% using the money from the sale of their previous homes to make a purchase.
Below are … (0 comments)

new york: Is Now The Right Time To Sell? - 09/18/18 03:37 PM
Within the property market, there is much written about when the best time to buy and sell is. Just like trading other investments you can try to play the market to your advantage and this certainly applies with investment buyers, but when it comes to selling a home, it is often more about the right time for you rather than trying to judge the wider market.
Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist at the National Association of Realtors, recently commented:
"Contract signings inched backward once again last month, as declines in the South and West weighed down on overall activity."
Yun goes on to say:
"The reason … (2 comments)

new york: Now May Be A Great Time To Sell - 09/12/18 04:09 PM
If you're ready to sell your home but just waiting for the right time, then you're in luck my friend. There's a saying that goes, "strike while the iron is hot" and right now, the iron is ablaze. You should put your property up in the market while it's filled with able, willing and eager buyers.
Between 1987 and 1999, which is often referred to as the 'Pre-Bubble Period,' home prices grew at an average of 3.6% according to the Home Price Expectation Survey. ​
The chart below shows the forecasted year-over-year prices for 2018 (predictions made in 2017). According to their predictions, … (2 comments)

new york: There Is A Good Time For Everything - 09/06/18 04:12 PM
Timing is everything, selling homes included. In case your thinking of selling your home in the future. This fall is the best time for you, here are five great reasons why you should sell this season.
1. Demand Is StrongThe latest Buyer Traffic Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR) shows that buyer demand remains very strong throughout the vast majority of the country. These buyers are ready, willing and able to purchase...and are in the market right now! In fact, more often than not, multiple buyers end up competing with each other to buy the same homes. Take advantage of … (0 comments)

new york: New Players Are Coming In The Market - 08/14/18 02:29 PM
Currently, sellers are enjoying huge if not undivided attention from buyers as their visibility is at peak. There are reports, however, that this will change in the following months to come as permits for single-family units are granted.
According to the latest U.S. Census Bureau and U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development Residential Sales Report, the number of building permits issued in June was 850,000, a 0.8% increase from May.
​ How will this impact buyers? ​
More inventory means more options. Mark Fleming, First American's Chief Economist, explained that this is good news for the housing market – especially for those looking to buy:
"The continued year-over-year growth in completions means more homes … (1 comments)

new york: Awesome 2 unit Multiplex for Sale in Mount Vernon! - 10/22/12 10:21 AM
Awesome 2 unit Multiplex for sale in Mount Vernon! … (2 comments)

new york: Amazing 4BR Home in a Cul-de-sac For Sale - 10/22/12 10:11 AM
Wonderful 4BR colonial Home for Sale in White Plains! … (2 comments)

new york: Magnificent 4BR Custom Colonial Home in Whiteplains! - 10/22/12 10:09 AM
Magnificent 4BR Custom Colonial Home for Sale in Whiteplains! … (1 comments)

new york: SONYMA Products for First-Time Homebuyers in Yonkers - 09/21/12 01:45 AM
SONYMA Products for First-Time Homebuyers in Yonkers  

 
The State of New York Mortgage Agency (SONYMA) offers five mortgage programs to assist first-time homebuyers with the purchase of a home in New York State.
 
Our five mortgage programs feature competitive interest rates, low down payment requirements, flexible underwriting guidelines, no prepayment penalties and down payment assistance. Each of these features are designed to make your home purchase more affordable. All SONYMA loans are financed through the sale of tax exempt bonds.
Mortgage Programs:  
Homes for Veterans ProgramA program specifically designed for military veterans. Allows a qualified veteran … (0 comments)

new york: Yonkers Home Owners: Is The End of The Year A Good Time To Sell? - 09/17/12 12:10 AM
 
Yonkers Home Owners: Is The End of The Year A Good Time To Sell?

Selling your home as the end of the year approaches is actually a good idea, but you need to have the right strategy in place.
The holidays will be here before you know it and it’s vital that you put your plan of action into play now, to ensure that you get the best results for yourself 60 and 90 days into the future as you work through the process of your move.
The fourth quarter of the year can cause some sellers to worry … (0 comments)

new york: What is Labor Day? - 08/31/12 05:46 AM
 
What is Labor Day?
 
 
Celebrations
 
The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations", followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday … (2 comments)