Tax Breaks Granted By The 2012 Fiscal Cliff Negotiations
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
There was plenty of discussion and debate leading up to the New Year's looming "fiscal cliff".Ultimately, the event was avoided, but not before legislation was passed which may benefit homeowners in Plymouth and nationwide.If you have yet to file your 2012 taxes, take a minute to review the tax...

Case-Shiller Index Shows Near 6% Home Price Gain
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Home prices continue their upward climb.. Last week, the S&P/Case-Shiller Index showed home prices gaining 5.5 percent during the 12-month period ending November 2012, marking the largest one-year gain in home prices since May 2010.. The Case-Shiller Index measures changes in home prices by tracking same-home...

6 Tips For Buying An Older Home
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Older Maple Grove homes sometimes offer more charm and character than the newer houses of today. They boast gabled roofs, crown moldings, hardwood floors and antique fixtures.. Buying an old house is like buying a piece of local history. Its beautiful period features can give it a timeless beauty and grace that is...

Help Your Home Office Shine When Selling Your Property
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
With telecommuting continuing to rise, and with more jobs requiring after-hours attention, showcasing your home's "home office" can help it show better with a prospective home buyer.. It's wise to have your kitchen, bedrooms and bathrooms show well, but a great-looking home office can make a huge...

Breaking Down The Federal Reserve Statement (January 2013 Edition)
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
The Federal Reserve's Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to maintain the Federal Funds Rate within its current range of zero to 0.25 percent, and to continue its current stimulus program of purchasing $85 billion monthly in Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities (MBS).. Citing...

How To Paint Your Home's Exterior Walls
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
When preparing to sell a home, few things improve its curb appeal more than a fresh coat of exterior paint.. Many people are intimidated by the thought of painting their home's exterior, and choose to hire a third-party to handle the work. But, you can do it yourself, with these easy steps.. First, before...

Pending Home Sales Post 20th Consecutive Month Of Annual Gains
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
The National Association of REALTORS(R) (NAR) reports that the Pending Home Sales Index fell 4.3 percent in December as compared to the month prior. The index now reads 101.7.. The Pending Home Sales Index measures the number of U.S. homes that have gone "into contract", but have not yet closed. The report is based on...

Reasons To Attend Your Own Home Inspection
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
As a home buyer in Maple Grove , you can get a feel for whether a home's systems and appliances are in working order. However, you can't know for certain until after the home's been inspected.. This is why real estate agents recommend that buyers hire a licensed home inspectors immediately after...

Existing Homes For Sale At Lowest Point In 11 Years
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Home sales dropped last month, but not because demand was lacking. There are fewer homes for sale than at any time in the last 11 years.. According to the National Association of REALTORS(R), Existing Home Sales for December 2012 fell to a seasonally-adjusted, annualized rate of 4.94 million homes from...

Buying A Home In A Golf Community
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
It's January, but home sales in golf communities remain strong like in the rest of the country.If you're looking to buy a home in a golf course community, either as a primary residence or as a vacation or retirement home, there are additional home traits which make buying on a golf course different from...

Tips For Selling Your Home In The Colder Winter Months
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Real estate agents in |**CITY**| will tell you that it can be harder to sell a home in the winter.The days are colder and shorter, leaving less time to show a home to potential buyers.. The good news, though, is that most buyers looking at houses in the winter aren't just killing time. They're serious enough...

Simple Fixes To Help Your Home Sell More Quickly
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
If one of your New Year's Resolutions is to sell your Plymouth home, there are a few simple steps you can take to help prepare it for showings.. With a prospective buyer in mind, take a tour of your home, making a list of the good, the bad, and the not-so-bad. You may spot areas in need of major renovation; and areas...

Homebuilder Confidence Nearly Triples In 2 Years
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
The National Association of Homebuilders (NAHB) Housing Market Index ended its 8-month winning streak this month, posting a value of 47. The January 2013 reading is on level with last month, and remains at a near 7-year high.. The Housing Market Index (HMI) is a measure of home builder confidence.. HMI readings...

Improve Your Credit Score To Get Better Mortgage Rates
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
For home buyers in Minneapolis and nationwide, credit scores can change low mortgage rates and alter home loan approvals.. Borrowers with high credit scores get access to lower mortgage rates, for example, and can find the mortgage approval process to be more smooth that borrowers with low credit scores.. If your...

Selling? Improve The Appearance Of Your Home's Bathrooms.
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Full-scale bathroom remodeling can be expensive and, in today's Plymouth housing market, you won't likely get all of the money back that you put into it at the time of sale.. Knowing that bathroom projects tend to have a low return on investment, therefore, here are a few inexpensive changes which you...

Help Your Pets Adjust To Your New Home
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Moving to a new home can be a difficult transition for everyone in the family, including the furry, four-legged members.Dogs and cats develop a strong bond with their environment so when they are relocated from their territory it can cause them stress.Here are some tips to ease your pets' transition to a new...

What To Do When Your Home Doesn't Appraise At Its Purchase Price
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Experienced home sellers in Plymouth know that reaching a sales agreement with a potential buyer can be just the start of the negotiation process. There are often inspection issues to resolve, among other items.One particular negotiation point which can present difficulties for both buyers and sellers is...

27 Months Of Consecutive Job Growth Helping Home Prices Rise
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Non-Farm Payrolls report for December exceeded Wall Street's expectations by 5,000 net new jobs, showing 155,000 positions created in December.. The December tally raised the economy's 12-month total to 1.84 million net new jobs created nationwide. Jobs added...

Choosing "Green Homes"
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
"Green" homes can be great for the environment and can save you money over time.. For environmentally-conscious homeowners wanting to minimize their footprint and their energy bills, there are four areas upon which to focus.. In-Home Energy-EfficiencyAccording to the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA),...

Pending Home Sales Index Cruises To Multi-Year High
Updated Oct. 9, 2013
Home buyers continue to push the U.S. housing market forward.. In November, for the second straight month, the Pending Home Sales Index eclipsed its benchmark reading of 100, posting a value of 106.4.. The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) is published monthly by the National Association of REALTORS(R). It tracks homes...