Alarming but not devastating…

"Most analysts don’t expect higher interest rates to hurt the housing recovery, though they do believe rising rates will help tamp down home-price increases."

http://lnkd.in/crpbBj 

How Interest Rates Affect The Housing Market…

"A basic understanding of interest rates and the economic influences that determine the future course of interest rates can help consumers make financially sound mortgage decisions, such as making the choice between a fixed-rate mortgage or adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) or deciding whether to refinance out of an adjustable-rate mortgage."

http://www.forbes.com/sites/investopedia/2013/06/27/how-interest-rates-affect-the-housing-market/

Home prices trending upwards…

"The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index was up 12.1% in April, compared to a year ago, in the 20 top real estate markets across the nation. That was the biggest annual jump in prices in seven years. Prices climbed 2.5% from March, posting the biggest one-month rise in the 12-year history of the index."

http://lnkd.in/xzTupM 

Important items to consider…

The following article reports: Real estate is typically a person’s biggest investment. 

©Grand Canyon NPS

nwitimes.comSo why is it that more than half of U.S. homeowners (53 percent) do not perform maintenance on their homes…by Bettina Chang CTW Features

Port Orange appears financially strong…

Port Orange receives high credit rating Fitch Ratings of New York City reaffirmed last year's AA- credit rating — a "stable outlook." 
news-journalonline.com

What features do you have? What features are you looking for in your next home?

Make the Home Improvements Buyers Most Want 

What home improvements do buyers want the most? A new study surveyed buyers to find out which home features are the most desired…http://www.houselogic.com/news/home-improvement/make-home-improvements-buyers-most-want/

Valuable tips…

For More... - Budget Home Security Options - Bob Vila

©mikeh727

If the cost of a high-tech security system is beyond your means, consider these low-cost options to keep your home safe.bobvila.com 

Sinkhole insurance, check your policy…

Sinkhole: A Case for More Insurance?

©dstroup92

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/03/12/doris-jenkins-pennsylvania-sinkhole-insurance/

Great ideas…

The New Neutrals: Infusing Bold Color Into the Home
Neutral shades such as white and beige will always work in a home, but sometimes a space calls for bolder colors…

©Sarenawhite

http://www.zillowblog.com/2013-03-12/the-new-neutrals-infusing-bold-color-into-the-home/

Before the heat of summer, consider this…

Tips to Improve Your Home’s Insulation

©78xtc

How did you fare this winter? If you’re a homeowner in a cold climate, the level of insulation in your home might have made a huge difference in your comfort and also in your pocketbook these past few months. If you found your house...

http://www.zillowblog.com/2013-03-12/tips-to-improve-your-homes-insulation/

Return on Investment!

2012-13 Cost vs. Value: Make the First Impression Count

© Sardaka 

Updating the outside of a home pays off, according to this year’s Cost vs. Value Report. Real estate professionals ranked exterior improvement projects as winning the buyers’ eye and providing...realtormag.realtor.org

Interesting Perspective on Luxury Home Sales…

Luxury Sales Approach Sellers’ Market 

Top tier properties are getting close to ending their multi-year buyers’ market and quickly reaching a more equal balance between buyers and sellers, catching up with less expensive homes .Since early December, the Institute for...realestateeconomywatch.com

Valuable information…

8 Tips To Sell An Old Home To Young Buyers

© Ben Salter from Wales

Selling any home can be challenging, depending on the market. But if you have an old home and want to appeal to young buyers in their 20s and early 30s, you may need to take some extra steps...
bankrate.com

Economic Update…

Good to know—EmploymentIn each Economic Update, the Research staff analyzes recently released economic indicators and addresses what these indicators mean…

http://economistsoutlook.blogs.realtor.org/2013/03/08/employment-4/

HGTV provides the know-how in creative ways…

hgtvgardens.com
How to Create a Garden Entertainment Area :  Blend indoors and out with an outdoor kitchen, intimate dining area or simple relaxation space.

Interesting industry perspective…

Cheap home prices lure hordes of cash-wielding investors, causing a severe housing shortage in parts of the U.S. market…

http://www.reuters.com/video/2013/03/08/reuters-tv-investors-turn-housing-surplus-into-hous?&videoChannel=118058&videoId=241546456

Questions to Ask Your Loan Officer…

Good questions to know…
6 Questions to Ask Your Loan Officer Before Starting the Loan Process | A Real Estate News & Tips...

http://blog.homes.com/2013/03/6-questions-to-ask-your-loan-officer-before-starting-the-loan-process/

Home prices finally returning to normal…

Good to know…
Home prices are expected to increase by an average of 3.3% annually over the five years ending September 2017, reported Fiserv Case-Shiller.

http://money.cnn.com/2013/03/05/real_estate/home-prices/index.html?source=linkedin

Return on Investment…

Now you know» Exterior Replacement Projects Provide Biggest Return on Investment—According to the 2013 Remodeling Cost vs. Value Report, REALTORS® rated exterior projects...

© Jan Prucha

http://rismedia.com/2013-03-04/exterior-replacement-projects-provide-biggest-return-on-investment-for-homeowners-say-realtors-2/

Don't Obsess About Mortgage Rates…

When most people start shopping for a mortgage, the first thing they do is look for the lowest interest rate they can find. And that can get them into trouble. A low interest rate can save you money, obviously. But it's only part of the story. 

http://realestate.aol.com/blog/2013/02/14/mortgage-rates?ncid=edlinkusreal00000002&ts=1360953953