 | Mortgage Rates Tick Up
In Freddie Mac's results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.05 percent for the week ending February 25, 2010 - up from the previous week when it averaged 4.93 percent.
Last year at this time, the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 5.07 percent.
Rates for 30-year fixed mortgages followed long-term bond yields higher and rose above 5 percent
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this week amid a mixed set of economic data reports," said Frank Nothaft, Freddie Mac vice president and chief economist.
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Put Your Tax Return To Use
 Tax season can be a challenging time of the year. Some people wait until the last minute to file their taxes, while others filed and received their funds before the mid April deadline, or paid the IRS if the case may be. But if you are one of the lucky who get a return, what will you do with those long awaited greenbacks? A popular choice amongst consumers is to pay off credit card debt; another is indulging in something extravagant. But why not consider how your tax return can help maximize your mortgage product ?
Consider refinancing if you have an ARM or a high interest rate loan. Refinancing into a fixed rate and/or a lower interest rate can save you money in the long run. Why not do it now when rates are at all time lows? You could use your tax return for closing costs. | |
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Bathroom Addition:
Return on Investment
 As an investment, a new bathroom should be carefully considered. The cost of a new bathroom ranges from $39,000 to $75,800, but the return on that investment averages a modest 59%, according to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report. That value has been steadily declining over the past several years due to rising construction costs.
Nevertheless, national averages may not be a reliable predictor of value in your particular neighborhood. Before committing to a bathroom addition, call your REALTOR® to evaluate whether an additional bathroom makes sense in your situation. Buyers tend to prefer houses where the number of bathrooms equals the number of bedrooms. | | |
| | How High Tech is Your Home?
 We live in a wired world. At the lightning pace that home Internet technology develops, so do other arenas of home tech.
Technology experts say homebuyers in every price range want security. A simple system might include a front door intercom. In a more upscale house, the intercom might have a security camera and a link to the telephone.
If the latest technology or entertainment options are important in your new home, add the following questions to your buyer’s checklist.Are there enough jacks in every room for cable TV and high-speed Internet hookups? Are there ample telephone extensions or jacks? Is the home pre-wired for home theater or multiroom audio and video? Does the home have a local area network (LAN) for linking computers? Does the home already have wiring for DSL or another high-speed Internet connection? Does the home have multizoning heating and cooling controls with programmable thermostats? Does the home have multiroom lighting controls, window-covering controls, or other home automation features? Is the home wired with multipurpose in-wall wiring that allows for reconfigurations to update services as technology changes? | |
