Connecticut Financing Update and Today's Mortgage Rates June 24, 2015

Rates drop a bit giving borrowers with floating rates closing in the next 15 days or so to lock in a rate.  Rates are rising over the last month or so but still look very attractive at these low levels and it’s time to jump into refinancing your existing mortgage with my help or purchase a new home with Realtor Judy Szablak’s help.  The 10 year is at 2.28

Mortgage Rates:

Conventional 30 year fixed – 4.25% - APR 4.307%

Conventional 15 year fixed - 3.625% - APR 3.719%

FHA 30 year fixed – 3.875% - APR 5.502%

FHA 15 year fixed – 3.375% - APR 5.038%

The above rates are based on a loan amount of $417,000 for a single family home, a borrower’s middle credit score of 780 and a 20% down payment.  If you would like a customized rate quote for your own specific loan scenario then please feel free to email me at nima@primeres.com or call me directly at 203.913.6016.

 This is not an extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. This is not an offer to enter into a rate lock agreement under any applicable law.

As a lending professional, Nima Rezvan meets a wide range of real estate lending needs, whether it be a first time purchase, second home purchase, or refinance. He welcomes the opportunity to serve your needs with quick and accurate real estate financing advice. With his expertise and knowledge, he will make sure you understand the features associated with the loan program you choose and that it meets your unique financial situation.

With more than 10 years of mortgage lending experience, Nima specializes in  Conventional Mortgages,  Jumbo Loan Financing, Refinance, First Time Home Buyers and Federal Housing Administration/Veterans' Administration (FHA/VA)

782 Clinton Avenue

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Phone: 203.913.6016

Email: nima@primeres.com

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com      www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

and www.BestWestportHomes.com

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Happy Fathers Day 2015

For fathers everywhere- Whether you're a new dad, a soon to be dad, or a mom doing double duty, you are very much appreciated. Don't ever forget it.

For those whose Dads are in heaven, we think of you and your family on this day as well.

"Pop, you were the coolest. Miss you much. Thinking of you today."

Five Ways to Boost Your Home's Value Before Selling

Planning to put your house on the market? Some carefully chosen improvements can boost your home’s value and help you make a quicker and more profitable sale. But how do you know what to renovate and whether it will help you sell the house for a better price?

Here is where the realtor comes into picture. A qualified local real estate agent can tell you what buyers want and what upgrades are, though good to have, unnecessary given the current condition of the market and the house. It is also a good idea to hire a professional inspector to find out if your house has hidden problems such as weak roofs or termites that can ultimately affect your sale price.

 In the meantime, check out our top five ways to increase a home’s value without burning a huge hole in your pocket.

Clean, de-clutter and organize

Dirt, clutter and grime can put off a buyer the minute they walk in through that door. If your house needs a thorough cleaning job from top to bottom, consider investing a few hundred dollars in a professional cleaning service to have your house sparkling in no time at all.

But before that, de-clutter your house, room by room, and get rid of all unnecessary stuff that you have lying around. At the end, if you still have a lot of belongings that you need but doesn’t fit anywhere, consider putting them in temporary storage. Storage space is one thing that most homebuyers will not want to compromise on and visible clutter only adds to the impression of a cramped and constrained space.

Upgrade the kitchen

With the kitchen being the heart of any home, it makes good sense to carry out some reasonable updates to give it a clean and modern look. A shiny, new kitchen sink and faucet set, new doorknobs for your existing cabinets or new light fixtures don’t cost much, but they can give your kitchen an instant makeover. If your budget permits, consider resurfacing the cabinets to make them look new again. You can also get matching panels for your kitchen appliances to make the room appear more cohesive.

Fix up the bathroom

 Asin the case of the kitchen, even simple bathroom updates can add to your home’s value. Give your bathroom an instant facelift by re-grouting the tiles in the shower, replacing old shower curtains with new and installing a new toilet seat. Make sure that there are no leaks and all fixtures are sparkling clean.

Freshen up the exterior

Make a great first impression by freshening up your “curb appeal”. A clean front yard, a nicely mowed lawn, well-trimmed bushes and hedges, and healthy potted plants makes your house appealing to potential buyers and increases its value.

 Be creative with the extra space   

Do you have an extra room that can be used as an office or a nursery? Talk to the realtor and find out what buyers are looking for. While young professionals may be looking for a home office, a nursery or a guest room may be more useful for families. Your loft or basement can also be remodeled into living spaces. However, it will require professional help and can turn out to be an expensive and lengthy process.

Kurt Jacobson is a snowboarding enthusiast with a background in real estate. Having moved 11 times in the past nine years, he thrives on helping others learn from his experiences. When he’s not out shredding the mountain, he writes about all things home related for the website HouseHunter.co.

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com      www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

and www.BestWestportHomes.com

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

How to Buy Smart. Three Ways to Invest in a Home

Buy low, sell high. That's the investor's maxim that never fails. The trick is in knowing when to buy and when to sell. Investing in a home is never as easy or as quick to deliver returns as you may wish. We all want to ride the boom and avoid the crash. Here are three ways to buy a home safely.

Don't try to time the market

Some homebuyers believe that waiting for prices or interest rates to go lower is the way to buy a home. But there are two things wrong with that approach.

First, what is the market going to do? Unless you have a crystal ball, it's hard to know. Between 2006 and 2011, home prices fell an annualized 7.7% a year, or 27%, according to Fiserv Case/Shiller. Since 2011 and 2014, they've gained back that much and more on an annual basis.

Mortgage interest rates follow the U.S. Treasury yields. A quarter point rise in interest rates will cost you roughly $25 more per month. Lock in an interest rate with your lender and don't second-guess yourself. You'll have more peace of mind as well as a stronger negotiating position with the seller.

Buy within your means

Irresponsible lending led to one of the biggest recessions in modern history. Many homeowners lost their homes. You don't want to join them by buying a home that's bigger, more luxurious or pricier than you can reasonably afford.

Lenders are facing heavy government penalties for lending to unqualified borrowers, so they're insisting that lending standards return to historically safe and sustainable parameters.

That means you won't be able to pay half your income toward housing which was common during the housing boom. Today, you'll pay approximately no more than a quarter to a third of your gross monthly income for a home.

As your income improves, your home becomes even more affordable, allowing you to meet other life goals, such as adding new members to your family or starting a business of your own.

Buy long term

The longer you own your home, the more equity you build. Equity is the percent of ownership you have in the home. Think of equity as money you'll get back when it's time to sell.

To protect your equity, reinvest in your home to keep it in top condition. Then when it's time to sell, your home will be more appealing to buyers and sell for more money than similar homes that aren't as updated or attractive.

If you buy a new home every few years, you'll throw away thousands in moving and closing costs. It's far better to hold on to your first home for as long as you can. At some point, you can turn it into a rental property that produces income for you.

Choose the best home you can for the money and it will return the favor.

Written by Blanche Evans

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com      www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

and www.BestWestportHomes.com

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY

Connecticut Financing Update and Today's Mortgage Rates May 25, 2015

Rates continue on an upward trend, and have been steadily rising for the last few weeks.  Although rates are rising, they still look very attractive at these low levels, and it’s time to jump into refinancing your existing mortgage with my help or purchase a new home with Realtor Judy Szablak’s help.  The 10 year is at 2.21

 

Mortgage Rates:

Conventional 30 year fixed – 4.25% - APR 4.307%

Conventional 15 year fixed - 3.5% - APR 3.594%

FHA 30 year fixed – 3.875% - APR 5.502%

FHA 15 year fixed – 3.25% - APR 4.837%

The above rates are based on a loan amount of $417,000 for a single family home, a borrower’s middle credit score of 780 and a 20% down payment.  If you would like a customized rate quote for your own specific loan scenario then please feel free to email me at nima@primeres.com or call me directly at 203.913.6016.

This is not an offer for extension of credit or a commitment to lend. All loans must satisfy company underwriting guidelines. Information and pricing are subject to change at any time and without notice. This is not an offer to enter into a rate lock agreement under any applicable law.

As a lending professional, Nima Rezvan meets a wide range of real estate lending needs, whether it be a first time purchase, second home purchase, or refinance. He welcomes the opportunity to serve your needs with quick and accurate real estate financing advice. With his expertise and knowledge, he will make sure you understand the features associated with the loan program you choose and that it meets your unique financial situation.

With more than 10 years of mortgage lending experience, Nima specializes in  Conventional Mortgages,  Jumbo Loan Financing, Refinance, First Time Home Buyers and Federal Housing Administration/Veterans' Administration (FHA/VA)

782 Clinton Avenue

Bridgeport, CT 06604

Phone: 203.913.6016

Email: nima@primeres.com

Buying or Selling a Home in Fairfield County?  Contact us!

If you have a question about buying or selling Real Estate in  Fairfield County, and are in need of representation, I invite you to contact me. I know the market like the back of my hand, know marketing inside and out, am a skilled negotiator- and I'd love to be on your side :) - Judy

Search for properties on any of our sites, or get the very best visibility available for your home. Visit us online wherever you like: Find out more about Judy here

www.CThomesAndRealEstate.com      www.TheCTrealtyBlog.com     www.TheCTRB.com      www.CTfeaturedHomes.com 

and www.BestWestportHomes.com

 Email us or  call Toll Free (855) GET-JUDY