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Limit to reverse mortgages set to increase in 2020, according to Federal Housing Administration
The Federal Housing Administration is increasing its maximum claim amount for reverse mortgages in the coming year, according to HousingWire. This is the fourth consecutive year of an increase to the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), a program that enables...
Home refinance applications soar by 300 percent, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association
In the span of just one year, refinance applications surged by 300 percent, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. With favorable borrowing terms, homeowners are as motivated as ever to take advantage of these conditions and reap the short- and long-term...
Mortgage lending to reach 12-year high, according to Mortgage Bankers Association
Homebuyers continue to take advantage of historically low mortgage rates. Given the high accessibility to affordable mortgages, lending may reach a 12-year high of $2.07 trillion, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. The volume of loans may hit $1.27...
Home bidding wars reach lowest point in decade, according to CNBC
One of the biggest obstacles to new buyers in the real estate market can be competition. It may lead to being outbid, and disappointed. This year, however, about 10 percent of offers made were countered by another buyer. That’s compared to 39 percent a year ago,...
Millennials remain active in real estate market, according to Realtor.com
More than any other generation, millennials are taking on more mortgages and dominating the real estate landscape. This trend has continued for more than a year. According to Realtor.com, millennial buyers comprise 46 percent of the market share for mortgage...
The ideal time to purchase a home might be December, according to ATTOM Data Solutions
When people think about the real estate season, springtime typically comes to mind. Data from ATTOM Data Solutions, however, tells us a different story. Seven out of the 10 top days of the year to purchase a home for less occur in the wintry month of December. Why?...
Many homebuyers are willing to relocate to purchase a home, according to TransUnion
Many first-time homebuyers are willing to move to buy a house. Specifically, about 60 percent of aspiring homebuyers say they are willing to relocate to another city or state to find a home they love and can comfortably afford, according to data from TransUnion. This...
Best pumpkin patches around Roseville
Before the month of October comes to a close, we must first celebrate with some candy, costumes and pumpkin carving. If you’re looking for a great place for the family to select a pumpkin, and enjoy a little extra fun, here are a few farms and patches near Roseville...
Roseville to welcome New York-based Shake Shack, according to Sacramento Business Journal
A piece of the Big Apple is heading to Roseville. New York-based Shake Shack, which opened a permanent food kiosk in 2004, is known for its delicious burgers, frozen custard and shakes. Plans are in place for a new restaurant in Roseville, according to the Sacramento...
Millennial buyers want to buy homes, but this where they disagree
Not too long ago, millennials of all ages wondered if they could ever afford to buy a home. That is no longer an issue. With today’s low interest rates and strong economic conditions, millennials are split on home-buying, but only in terms of location. A recent survey...
House flippers turning to loans to make real estate deals, according to ATTOM Data Solutions
As home prices remain high and the availability of foreclosed properties remains low, some investors are finding it difficult to profit from house flipping. With this new reality, investors are turning to financing to flip their homes, according to ATTOM Data...
Consecutive months of home sale gains erase last year’s slump, according to the National Association of Realtors®
The home sales slump of 2018 has been erased thanks to some home sale gains this summer, according to the National Association of Realtors®. Existing home sales in August improved for the second month in a row. The National Association of Realtors® is crediting this...
As rental rates go up, here are 5 reasons to purchase a home
Renting a home just got pricier. The average rent nationwide increased by $47 this summer, driving the monthly amount to around $1,500 a month, representing a 3.3 percent hike from a year ago, according to data from RentCafé. Demand for multifamily homes is one factor...
Mortgage applications and volume jumps, according to Mortgage Bankers Association
The housing market appears to be heating up toward the end of summer if new data from the Mortgage Bankers Association is any indication. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association, the number of mortgage applications jumped 2 percent over the last week. The...
Gains in home prices expected to accelerate over the next year, according to CoreLogic
If you are thinking about purchasing a home, doing it sooner rather than later could be ideal. That is because a new forecast from CoreLogic predicts that home price increases will gain momentum over the next year. Specifically, the CoreLogic report indicates that...
Median age for homebuyers on the rise, according to realtor.com
In the span of a decade, the median age of homebuyers has risen by nearly 10 years and reached the age of 47, according to realtor.com. It was 31 in the 80s. This trend may come to a surprise as data also shows that younger generations are entering the real estate...
FHA insurance fund as healthy as ever, according to Department of Housing and Urban Development
The real estate market has come a long way since the housing crisis of nearly a decade ago. Since its turnaround, it's hardly looked back. The strength of the market is also showing in the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) insurance fund, which is in its best shape...
New performance arts center on the horizon in Fort Collins, according to Coloradoan
A new 800-seat performance arts theater will soon open in Fort Collins, according to the Coloradoan. The Candlelight Dinner Playhouse of Johnstown has plans for the new venue, which fills the void left by Midtown Arts Center, on the corner of Boardwalk Drive and Mason...
Real estate activity will drive economic boost in 2020, according to Fannie Mae
The new decade will start with a big economic boom, and we’ll have the real estate market to thank. Fannie Mae, the federal mortgage association, is predicting housing will fuel economic growth in the first part of 2020. For the first time in a year-and-a-half, the...
Shell on Wheels brings taste of Maryland to Fort Collins
Love crab cakes? Then you're in luck. Authentic Maryland seafood is wheeling and flying over to a food truck near you, according to the Coloradoan. The Shell on Wheels food truck is a welcome addition to Fort Collins’ growing list of 60 food trucks. Shell on Wheels...
In-N-Out coming to Fort Collins, according to The Denver Post
Fort Collins burger lovers rejoice! The California-based In-N-Out restaurant is making its way into town with plans for its third Colorado location, according to The Denver Post. The company submitted concept plans for the restaurant in October, and the plans call for...
Home price gains fall substantially, according to Federal Housing Finance Agency
The real estate market is tapping the brakes when it comes to pricing. Home price gains have slowed down by 50 percent, according to the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHA). The FHA’s House Price Index increased 4.6 percent annually in August, which is lower than 5...
Qualifying for a mortgage may be more reachable than you think
Do you think you can buy a home today? Among individuals who do not own a home, about 30 percent of them feel it is very difficult to buy a home, with another 31 percent viewing the path to homeownership as somewhat difficult, given their current financial picture,...
Whitewater park opens in Fort Collins
A highly anticipated play area along the Poudre River development project in Fort Collins is now open for business and thrills. This month, the community celebrated the project’s opening with a splash. Kayakers sped through a ribbon-cutting at the new whitewater park,...
Home-price gains expected to grow through next year, according to CoreLogic
Historically low interest rates will likely lead to sustained home-price gains, according to CoreLogic, a provider of consumer and financial analytics. Projections indicate that home prices will increase by 5.8 percent through around this time next year, outpacing the...
Some misconceptions about pre-qualifications
After falling slightly earlier this summer, pending home sales rebounded and increased last month, according to the National Association of Realtors®. The upward trend came following a 2.5 percent decline in July. The positive numbers mean that for the last four...
Mortgage rates on 30-year loan falls again, according to Ellie Mae
For the eighth straight month, the average rate paid on a 30-year mortgage* loan fell to 4.07 percent, according to Ellie Mae. This continual dip in interest rates may be attributed to an increased number of individuals refinancing their homes. Those accounted for 43...
Worried about rent prices in Fort Collins? Here’s what to know about your mortgage loan options
The price jumps for single-family homes in Fort Collins are showing signs of de-escalation. Yet, the median price for rent keeps climbing, according to the Coloradoan. Even as new units are being built, there isn’t much relief as consumers face a higher price point...
Fort Collins considered one of the most educated cities in the country, according to Fox31 report
Fort Collins has a lot going for it, including the various places to eat, recreational activities, parks and more. Add an educated population to mix. Fort Collins is one of the most educated cities in the U.S., according to a report from Fox31. Specifically, Fort...
Second Dutch Bros set to open in Fort Collins, according to the Coloradoan
For all you coffee fans out there, we have some good news! Dutch Bros Coffee is set to open a second spot in Fort Collins, according to the Coloradoan. The new location will be at 121 Kensington Drive and be a drive-thru only. The other Fort Collins location is at...
Prices for homes in Oahu fell slightly last month, according to Honolulu Board of Realtors
Home prices in Oahu fell slightly last month, but the number of sales increased, according to the Honolulu Board of Realtors. The Honolulu Board of Realtors reported the gain in sales volume was greater for single-family homes than they were for condos. The median...
Honolulu makes list of ‘30 underrated’ food cities
Oahu is paradise for all the senses. Where else can you take in stunning views, great weather, peaceful sounds and delicious flavors? The answer is Honolulu, which was recently recognized by 24/7 Tempo as one of 30 American cities underrated for its food scene. The...
Renting preferences differ between Millennials and Gen Z, according to Housing Wire
The number of millennials who plan on keeping their rental homes is on the rise. A new survey found that more than 12 percent will hang on to the rental lifestyle, at least for now, according to Housing Wire. In the study, it’s revealed that some respondents are...
Oahu restaurant recognized as worth traveling the world for, according to Open Table
Oahu is a gem. And one of its restaurants was named to an exclusive list. The 12th Avenue Grill is worth traveling for, according to Kayak and Open Table. It is among 25 of the world’s hidden gem restaurants. OpenTable’s list includes locations that are under the...
VA loan popularity growing among younger buyers, according to Department of Veterans Affairs
The VA Loan program saves borrowers money. So, there's no surprise that more people are taking advantage of this powerful lending product. VA loans are immensely popular because they require no down payment or mortgage insurance and often boast low interest rates. Our...
Paying for home improvement projects through a VA loan
Thousands of Veterans can make homeownership a reality thanks to the Veterans Affairs loan program (VA Loan). The path toward homeownership is made easier through the loan’s features. No down payment or mortgage insurance is necessary. And more often than not,...
Homeownership increases to five-year high, according to Census Bureau
Great news: The U.S. homeownership rate rose in the third quarter, matching a five-year high, according to the Census Bureau. About 65 percent of American households live in residences they owned, representing a nearly three-point increase from the second quarter in...
Pacific University named best college in Hawaii for 2020, according to KITV
Hawaii Pacific University was named as the top university in Hawaii in the 2020’s Best College and University Rankings, according to KITV. The big news comes as students begin to submit their early decision applications. Rankings were determined using student-faculty...
Some Veterans may be eligible for a mortgage funding fee refund, funding fee wavier
There is good news for eligible Veterans who purchased a home over the last several years or are thinking about buying in the future. First, a refund may be in order for those who recently bought a home as a Veteran. If you used a VA Loan to purchase your home, you...
Now may be the time to refinance your home
Forces in the real estate market such as low interest rates, strong home prices and a low mortgage-payment-to-income ratio may have you wondering about refinancing your home. A new report from Black Knight shows the 30-year fixed rate at the end of September fell to...
5 great hiking trails in Oahu
There’s nothing quite like hiking in paradise. If you live in or visit Oahu, you know that an outdoor adventure isn’t far away. After visiting the many stunning beaches and enjoying some local dining, you may want to partake in some world-class hiking, which is...
The 2020 changes to the VA loan program Hawaii Veterans should be aware of
There are some new provisions coming to VA loan programs. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announced a change to the VA guaranty limits, which impacts the lender of the loan if the borrower is unable to follow through on payments. The Blue Water Navy Vietnam...
Oahu celebrates completion of largest utility-scale solar block, according to PV Magazine
The largest block of utility-scale solar power is online in Oahu, providing a centralized grid across the islands, according to PV Magazine. Already a national leader in solar energy, the project represents a new approach to clean energy in Hawaii. Rooftop solar...
A refinance could help 80% of those who took out a mortgage last year save, according to Black Knight
Did you purchase a home in Hawaii in 2018? If so, there is a strong chance that you could save money if you were to refinance. According to new data from Black Knight, 80 percent of loans that originated last year came with an interest rate that was, at a minimum, .75...
The amount of equity available to U.S. homeowners reaches record high, according to Black Knight
The amount of equity homeowners have built up in their houses continues to soar. In fact, homeowner equity that could be accessible across the country has hit a record high of $6.3 trillion, according to Black Knight. In the second quarter of 2019, the amount of...
Getting a mortgage easiest it’s been in over 10 years, according to Mortgage Bankers Association
Good news for aspiring homeowners: today is the easiest it’s been in over 10 years to get approved for a mortgage, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association. Data published by the Mortgage Bankers Association shows mortgage availability at an 11-year high....
Favorable real estate market conditions likely to continue in 2020, according to Freddie Mac
Key economic indicators, such as the 10-year Treasury Note, consumer price index and unemployment figures, are giving consumers a reason to be optimistic about the real estate market over the next two years. Americans may be able to expect to continue enjoying...
Dream of homeownership alive and well among Generation Z, according to Freddie Mac study
The millennial generation may soon have some company in the spotlight. A recent survey by Freddie Mac reveals that Generation Z is the next generation up with high housing hopes and dreams. This group has a more positive perception of homeownership compared to their...
Access to jumbo mortgage loan credit on the rise, according to Mortgage Credit Availability IndexAccess to jumbo mortgage loan credit on the rise, according to Mortgage Credit Availability Index
Fewer people are turning to government loans for their home purchasing. It’s a whole different story for conventional and jumbo loan credit, both of which saw increases to their usage in October, according to the Mortgage Credit Availability Index. A decline to this...
American households are getting bigger, according Census Bureau
The average American household is expanding. For the first time in nearly 170 years, the average size of households nationwide is on the rise, according to the Census Bureau. The emergence of multi-generational families is becoming more common. Today, around 20...
Higher ownership rates appearing in younger millennial age groups, according to Census Bureau
Not too long ago, a generation of potential homebuyers struggled to make their dream a reality. Today, millennial buyers in Seattle, Renton, Tacoma and beyond are a force in the real estate market. And it’s growing. A new report by the Census Bureau reports that...
Pending home sales rise to highest levels in two years, according to National Association of Realtors
Pending home sales have increased for the second consecutive month, a development that easily surpassed expert expectations. The National Association of Realtors reports that in September, the index, which measures pending home sales, rose to 108.7, up by nearly 1.5...
FHA loans preferred option among non-conventional loans, according to Census Bureau
More and more aspiring homebuyers are turning to a reliable way to buy a home: through an FHA loan. These federally backed loan programs were the most widely used among non-conventional loans, holding an 11 percent share in 2018, according to the Census Bureau....
As older populations grow larger, downsizing can be an ideal home option
The growing pool of aging Americans may cause ripple effects on the real estate market. The current demographics of heads of households over the age of 65 jumped from 27 million to 31 million in 2017, according to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. The next...
After summer increase, home affordability jumps, according to Black Knight
This summer, housing affordability trended below historical averages and even fell to a 10-year low, according to HousingWire. Unfortunately, summer’s low inventory and general affordability trends could have temporarily placed potential home buyers out of the market...
5 common misconceptions about refinancing your mortgage
Freddie Mac recently reported that its mortgage portfolio jumped by an impressive 12.9 percent year-over-year, including 42 percent growth to its refinance loans. Single-family refinance loan volume is up from $13.8 billion in July to $21.7 billion last month, adding...
National homeowner equity reaches all-time high, according to CoreLogic
There’s some exciting news to report: Nationwide home equity increased 4.8 percent, according to CoreLogic’s Homeowner Quarterly Insight Report. Home equity is the ratio between how much a home is worth compared to the amount owed. Year-over-year, the increase...
Average credit score reaches record levels, according to FICO
We’ve come a long way since the Great Recession – and so have the average FICO scores. With today’s continued economic expansion, job growth and more financial resources online, no wonder consumers make prudent decisions about their money. They’re also some of the...
Fannie Mae data says most expect rates to remain low over the next year
Americans are pretty confident that mortgage rates will decrease over the next 12 months, according to new data from Fannie Mae. Specifically, there has been an 11 percent jump in responses to a survey about whether rates will drop. As a result, and other factors, the...
Reports indicate there could be a drop in the number of people looking for homes, decreasing competition
A few recent reports are indicating that there may be less competition in the market right now for prospective homebuyers. A study from the National Association of Home Builders found that there has been a 9 percent drop in the number of people who are actively...