Island Living Blog
Forecasters: Home Buyers, Sellers May Have Tough Road Ahead
Rising mortgage rates and home prices may prove a bigger thorn to home buyers in 2019 as buying a home gets more expensive in the new year. Meanwhile, as more homeowners list their homes, sellers will face greater competition, possibly increasi...
More Buyers Turn to ARMs for Lower Borrowing Costs
Rising interest rates are prompting more home buyers to turn to adjustable-rate mortgages—which come with potential financial risks. Though these mortgages typically come with lower interest rates initially, they reset to market rates after f...
Side by Side Comparison of House & Senate Tax Legislation
Click here for the NAR Article. NAR is OPPOSED to H.R. 1, the “Tax Cut and Jobs Act” tax reform legislation. This bill is a direct threat to consumers, to homeowners and to our businesses. Not only will millions of homeowners not benefit...
Over Half of Housing Markets Hit Price Peaks
More than half of housing markets saw home sale prices peak at the end of 2016, according to the National Association of REALTORS®’ (NAR) recently released quarterly report, contributing to the best quarterly sales pace of the year. Eighty-n...
If You’re Buying a Home This Year, Whip Your Taxes Into Shape Now
Ah, tax time—that magical time when all your accomplishments of the previous year can be used against you. After all, the more you made, the more you owe! No wonder there’s so much advice out there about finding (perfectly legal) ways to w...
Timing a Black Friday-Like Sale When Buying a Home
Home buyers looking for the best deal of the year on housing may want to wait until the day after Christmas to close on a home. ATTOM Data Solutions, a real estate data firm, analyzed the best days and months for advantageous pricing at state a...
Turning Buyers Into an LLC
If you’re working with a couple interested in buying a second home as an investment property, you might suggest they talk to a lawyer about setting up a limited liability corporation or other legal entity before they buy. That way, if they’...
3 Ways to Spruce Up a Home in the Winter
The colder months can make selling tougher. The home’s exterior can look dreary against a gray sky backdrop and buyers may want to go into hibernation rather than shop for homes in the chilly weather. But real estate and staging professionals...