Your wild home-buying, selling stories: These 17 help paint the picture
We’ve all heard about it by now: Houses are selling like crazy (and they have been for quite some time now), interest rates have been at all-time lows, and it seems like everywhere you turn, you learn of another wild real estate story.
You paid HOW much over asking? Tell us your wild housing market stories here
We’ve all heard about it by now: Houses are selling like crazy (and they have been for quite some time), interest rates have been at all-time lows, and it seems like everywhere you turn, you learn of another wild real estate story.
Bing Crosby’s former estate with 'secret room' hits the market for $13.75 million — take a look inside
The Northern California home that movie star Bing Crosby once lived in hits the market for $13.75 millionThe 3 acre Northern California estate where "White Christmas" crooner Bing Crosby and his family once lived has just hit the market for $13.75 million. Living room Dennis Mayer | OMARSHALL Real EstateOne of the walls in the ballroom has a secret door that blends in into the wood paneling. Dennis Mayer | OMARSHALL Real Estate"Visitors are surprised to find such a secret alcove where one can enjoy scotch in private," Oliva said. Dining room Dennis Mayer | OMARSHALL Real EstateSteps away is the home's formal dining room, which opens to a terrace and lawn. Bathroom Dennis Mayer / OMARSHALL Real EstateIt has two full bathrooms, a walk-in closet and windows that overlook the gardens.
cnbc.comSt. Johns County homebuyers encountering stiff competition, high prices
ST. JOHNS COUNTY, Fla. – Real estate in St. Johns County is booming right now. Homebuyers are encountering stiff competition and high prices. 97Park Real Estate owner and broker Karen Zander said the coronavirus pandemic is changing the St. Johns County’s real estate landscape. Homes on the market are selling quickly in St. Johns County. Zander said another option is to buy inventory homes, which used to be a great option but are now no longer available.
Report finds more people recently moved to Jacksonville area despite pandemic
JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – Even in a pandemic, Jacksonville is attracting more people to move to the city. The report says more people are leaving the giant metro areas, such as New York and San Francisco, and making cities like Jacksonville their home. It says the net arrivals for those two cities have fallen more than 20% from April to August, while the Bold City’s arrivals are rising. For some people, it has, and cities, like Jacksonville, are reaping the benefits. The report says the Bold City’s net arrivals are up to 10.7%, especially with the addition of jobs.
Coronavirus pandemic fuels affordability crisis for homebuyers
Fierce competition for a limited supply of homes for sale has caused a surge in prices. Now, potential buyers, some fleeing urban areas hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic, are facing a national affordability crisis. Home prices are rising faster than incomes there, but for now at least, homes are still affordable. As homebuying becomes less affordable, buyers are getting by with a little help from friends and family. About 59% of millennial homebuyers are receiving help with their mortgage down payment according to a recent report from Lending Tree.
cnbc.comHard times hitting home? Here are ways to avoid foreclosure amid pandemic
As soon as you realize you might have trouble making your mortgage payments, you’ll want to get in touch with your lender. You do not want to wait until you can’t pay your bills to contact your lender. If foreclosure is something you fear you might face, the following are options you may have available to you. Mortgage forbearanceAccording to USA.gov, federally backed home loans can get six months of mortgage help, and Federal Housing Administration reverse mortgages are eligible, as well. There are many options available to you, but the bottom line is: Contact your lender, and do not wait until it’s too late.
Ready to tackle home improvement projects now that you finally have some time? 5 tips
More time at home has turned into more of an opportunity to do various home improvement projects, although that sometimes can be dangerous. Scott Frankel, co-president of Frankel Building Group in Texas, offered five tips for those who are currently attempting or about to start home renovation projects while quarantined. They aren’t things that are going to necessarily wow your neighbor, but they need to be done.”Don’t bring in outside workers. It’s a real easy way to throw your back out or slip off of a ladder.”Clean out items you don’t need anymore. “When you go to a professional and you say that this is what you want to do, your ideas are organized,” Frankel said.