Mortgage rates trended lower this week and continue to hover historic lows. Home builder sentiment rebounded after a record drop the previous month. Housing starts and building permits each declined. New purchase mortgage application submissions increased but refinance mortgage application submissions declined. The Federal Open Market Committee released the minutes from its previous meeting. Jobless...
Hanging out with your family or hosting friends on your old, dingy deck is not very appealing. Lucky for you, refreshing it doesn’t have to be difficult or expensive. Try your hand at the makeover ideas below! Restore your decking. Depending on the shape it’s in, sometimes all your deck needs is a little...
We are all adjusting to changes going on around us in regard to COVID-19. Businesses are closing to help with social distancing, grocery stores are going the extra mile to keep their facilities sanitized and shelves stocked, and social media is full of posts – encouraging, funny and sometimes irritating too. Many Americans are finding this time stressful concerning physical health, finances and concern about the...
Record Breaking Followup: This week I attended a very informative meeting with the Harris County Flood Control Dept director, Jeff Lindner. You might be asking why are we still talking about Harvey? The highest storm total rainfall report from Harvey was 60.58 inches near Nederland, Texas with Houston reporting maximum rainfall of 48 inches in...
If you only do five routine maintenance tasks for your home during the month of April, here are the ones that we suggest that you do, that will help you prepare your home for spring, save energy, and protect your home. Prepare Central Air-Conditioning April is a good month to begin to prepare your air-conditioning...
Moving into a new home is an exciting time, and you’re probably daydreaming about decor and paint schemes and new furniture. But before you get into the fun stuff, there are some basics you should cover first. Change the locks Even if you’re promised that new locks have been installed in your home, you can...
You’ve most likely heard the rule: Save for a 20-percent down payment before you buy a home. The logic behind saving 20 percent is solid, as it shows that you have the financial discipline and stability to save for a long-term goal. It also helps you get favorable rates from lenders. But there can actually...
When you’re getting ready to list your home, it’s of the upmost importance to ensure you are showing it in the best light. Taking time to highlight its strengths and fix up some of its possible weaknesses can make a big difference in how fast it sells. Here are some things to consider repairing or...
An accent wall can totally transform a room, taking it from boring and drab to bold and exciting. Accent walls create a new focal point for your space, add liveliness and contrast, and are typically a very inexpensive DIY project. The starter accent wall You can easily add an accent wall to your room in...
Once your tax evaluation comes in for the New Year, you may need to protest the tax appraisal. One way to go about it is to hire a company to manage the process for you. Usually a fee is collected on if they are successful in having the tax value reduced. You might also manage...