Story from Craig Donofrio, 10 Home Buying Costs You Need to Know About, talks about first time buyers and their fees ... If you’re a first-time home buyer, you might get a little queasy when the last line of your good-faith estimate comes in at several thousand dollars. And after the color returns to your face, you might also be a little more than perplexed by some of those fees. Knowing what you’re paying for—like these 10 common costs—can ease that check-writing pain. 1. Earnest money To prove you’re “earnest” in your purchase commitment, expect to plunk down 1% to 2% of the total purchase price as an earnest money deposit. This amount can change depending on market factors. If demand in your area is high, a seller could expect a larger deposit. If the market is cold, a seller could b... 03/12/2015

This story from Catey Hill, The $25,000 Mortgage Mistake Nearly Half of Borrowers Make, talks about how many people pay to much for their mortgage ... Did you pay too much for your mortgage? If you’re like millions of Americans, the answer is probably yes — and that means you may be throwing tens of thousands of dollars of your hard-earned money at the bank, when you might not need to. A report released Tuesday by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau finds that almost half (47%) of Americans don’t shop around for a mortgage when they purchase a home. “Consumers put great thought into the choice of a home, but the mortgage process continues to be intimidating,” CFPB Director Richard Cordray said in a statement.   If you don’t shop around for a mortgage, you’re probably leaving free m... 02/22/2015

Lapeer Michigan home values, how to increase yours! ... These tips are to help increase your homes value and get your home sold in the fastest time possible based on our experience working with home owners who have sold their homes and feedback from home buyers that buy homes. This weeks tip: The Kitchen In most homes, buyers will spend the most time in the kitchen. Make sure your kitchen is ready for this. If you have appliances that are dirty or old, get them cleaned spotless or consider replacing them. You do not need to spend a lot of money replacing your stove or refrigerator with top end appliances, but you do not want buyers walking into a kitchen, see a dirty stove or refrigerator and then walking out because of it. And do not forget the drawers and cabinets as buyers will open ... 01/17/2015

This article I found, 5 Housing Market Predictions For 2015, talks about economic recovery for homeowners and first time home buyers ... It’s a new year—and the outlook on the housing market is definitely brighter. After all, 2014 was the best year in the U.S. economic recovery since the recession of 2008-2009. With an accelerating economic recovery fueling job and income growth, prospects are good for homeowners and would-be home buyers. 1. Mortgage Rates Will Head Back Up The flip side of the improving economy is that (sigh) mortgage rates will inevitably head up again. We’ve had a great run, but the honeymoon is over, and it’s time to settle in for a relationship that balances job growth with higher-but-still-reasonable interest rates. The Federal Reserve has indicated it will increa... 01/12/2015

Lapeer Michigan, condos for sale in Lapeer Township, market report January 2015. "Notable features to Lapeer’s downtown business district is the Piety Hill Historic District, 29 properties that are largely 19th century dwellings, one-sixth of the buildings are churches. A significant number of the structures are Greek Revival in style, dating from the 1830s through the 1850s. We are known for many historical buildings including the old Lapeer County Courthouse, which was built in 1846 and is the oldest in the state. Some of the other historic buildings include the old post office, several churches, City Hall, the Pix Theatre and the Marguerite De-Angeli Library". ASK AN AGENT A QUESTION         ASK A LENDER A QUESTION Current market overview for the last 45 days: Sold properties was at ... 01/09/2015

Lapeer Michigan Real Estate, Homes For Sale, Search Lapeer County Michigan Real Estate, December 2014. Market overview for the last 45 days in 48446 area: Total sold properties was 30, average sold price was at $130,851.00. The average days on market until sold was 79, all properties on market as of 12/21/2014 is 18. Pending sales expected to close by 01/20/2015 is 7 and there is 5 months of inventory available for sale. With these latest figures, Lapeer is still in a sellers market with sales up 2.5% for the month. ASK YOUR AGENT A QUESTION ASK YOUR LENDER A QUESTION MEET DONALD HORNE      WHAT IS THE VALUE OF MY HOME     YOU TUBE VIDEOS HOW WE MARKET YOUR HOME      GET STARTED TODAY Donald Horne, Team Success ListingAssociate Broker for Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realtydonaldhorne.realto... 12/23/2014

 This article I found from Craig Donofrio in the current issue of Housing Trends eNewsletter, Do Insurance Companies Discriminate Against Your Dog? Talks about insurance companies keeping an unofficial list of .. While a number of experts, animal welfare societies and local governments have concluded that no breed of dog is inherently dangerous, your insurance company may beg to differ. Most insurance companies keep an unofficial list of “dangerous dogs,” according to a reportby Forbes. If your pup is either a full or mixed breed on their list, you may face problems when you attempt to insure your home. What Gives? It’s frustrating if your dog’s breed makes the list, because you know your dog would never hurt anyone. And that may very well be the case. So why does this doggie discrimina... 12/11/2014

This article in the RealtorMag dated 11/14/2014, Mortgage Rates Still Near Yearly Lows, quotes Freddie Mac on last weeks mortgage rates ... The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage is hovering around 4 percent. This has been keeping borrowing costs low for refinancers and home buyers for the last few weeks, Freddie Mac reports in its weekly mortgage market survey. Freddie Mac reported the following national averages for mortgage rates for the week ending Nov. 13: 30-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 4.01 percent, with an average 0.5 point, dropping from last week’s 4.02 percent. A year ago, 30-year rates averaged 4.35 percent. 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 3.2 percent, with an average 0.5 point, dropping from last week’s 3.21 percent average. Last year at this time, 15-year rates averag... 11/17/2014

Lapeer condos for sale, in Lapeer Michigan under $106,000 / market report November 2014. "For the past 16 years, Lapeer has been a Tree City USA and has many parks (4) throughout the city, including along the riverside. The parks include a 2.2 mile paved foot path that winds through some of the parks, through wooded areas and across ponds. Whether you are out for a stroll or an afternoon picnic, Lapeer is a wonderful place to come and relax and enjoy all of Michigan’s nature." Real Estate Market Overview: In the last 45 days there has been 0 condos or townhouses sold, as of today (11/09/2014) there is 2 condos on the market from $89,900 with about 13 days (average) on market. Also at this time, there are 2 pendings waiting to close. An example of Lapeer County condos for sale: Carriage ... 11/14/2014

Lake Nepessing is a 414 acre, all sports lake in southwest Lapeer County- just minutes from I-69. Whether you own a cottage or year 'round home, when you buy real estate on Lake Nepessing you are buying a lifestyle. With 2 lakeside restaurant/bars, an 18 hole golf course on the north side of Hunt Rd across from the lake, and Lake Nepessing Golfland, a miniature golf, driving range, go cart, etc on Lake Nepessing Rd. There's a public access with a hard-surfaced ramp on the north shore on Hunt Rd; it accommodates 19 vehicles. And Hill Top Campground on the east shore offers boat rentals and has a camp store. Lake Inn Restaurant & Bar Castaways Food and Spirits Lapeer Country Club   Lapeer Lakefront Homes for Sale Lapeer MI www.Search-The-MLS.net  10/26/2014

Lapeer Michigan Real Estate, Homes For sale, Real Estate Listings in Lapeer County, Market Report October 2014. Real estate market data for Lapeer MI, provided by Donald Horne of Coldwell Banker Shooltz Realty and Realcomp. FREE search of all properties in and around Lapeer Market Overview For The 48446 Zip Code Area: Total homes sold in the last 45 days was 15, average sold price was at $167,838.00 which is up 23%. Average days on market until sold is 64 days, up 30%, as of today (10/20/14) we have 10 months of inventory making this a buyers market for now. Given these conditions with today's low interest rates, this is an excellent market for buying a Lapeer home as long as terms are favorable to you. Examples of Homes Sold: Court St. in Lapeer / sold for $109,000 in 20 days / 1263 sq... 10/21/2014

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Trend: Squeezing More Homes Onto Smaller Lots. RealtorMag reports in its 10/03/2014 issue how homes are getting bigger but the lots are smaller ... While single-family homes have been getting larger, the lots these homes sit on have been getting smaller, according to the U.S. Census Bureau’s Characteristics of New Single-Family Houses Sold. Smaller Lot Trends Can You Squeeze an Outdoor Retreat onto a Smaller Lot? Upsized Homes on Downsized Lots Builders See Growth in Master Communities Price Tags Rise as Homes Get Costlier to Build Indeed, the median lot size of a new single-family detached home sold from 1992 through 1995 was 10,000 square feet. By 2013, that median lot size was down to 8,720 square feet, one of the smallest numbers (along with 2012... 10/08/2014

Spring was healthiest market in 3 years, RealtorMag reports in the 08/21/2014 issue dealing with July housing data... July housing data shows that price appreciation and inventory increases during the peak home-buying season helped the market to post the largest spring gains in three years, realtor.com® reports in its National Housing Trend Report. Dissecting the Recovery Taking the Long View on Recovery 4 Big Drivers of the Housing Market Recovery Uneven Recovery to Continue for 5 Years "In July 2012 and 2013, we saw external economic factors overwhelm the healthy gains established in the housing market during the spring home-buying season," says Jonathan Smoke, chief economist for realtor.com®. "This year, we're ending the traditional season with high buyer and seller confidence demon... 08/30/2014

Condominiums in Lapeer Michigan Under $125,000 With 2+ Bedrooms. "One of the biggest draws of condo ownership is freedom from maintenance you might not have the time, desire or ability to tackle - like shoveling snow, mowing the lawn or repairing outside structures. Your monthly condo fees cover these services." Looking for a condo in or around Lapeer MI > click here. Mortgage information. Real Estate Market Overview: Number of condos recently sold, 7Average sale price, $103,472.00The average days on market, 168 daysAvailable inventory, 2 condos for saleAverage age of homeowner in the Lapeer area, 41 years oldTotal number of homes, 11,60537% of homeowners are married32% still have children living at home Examples of Condos For Sale And Sold: S. Village West Dr, for sale at $47,900 with ... 08/24/2014

Selling Lapeer Michigan Homes and Condos, Real Estate For Sale in Lapeer, Market Report for August 2014. Real estate market data for Lapeer provided by, Donald Horne, Realcomp and Realestate.com Real Estate Market Overview For The 48446 Area: $159,860 is the average listing price / up 4% from last reportAverage days on market is 45 days / down 25%There are 242 total active listings in this area / up 24%5.4% of these listings are foreclosures or short sales / down 17%69.01% are private owned properties, 20.99% are rentals and 10.00% is vacant landThe average sale price for homes in Lapeer over the last 12 months is $91,500 / no change$128,705 is the average mortgage debtAverage homeowner age is 41 years old37% of these homeowners are marriedThere are 11,605 homes in this area32% of these... 07/31/2014

Home buyers this summer are finding at least 4 reasons to breathe easier, according to RealtorMag from this article dated 06/30/2014...... Home shoppers may find there’s good reason to breathe a sigh of relief this summer, according to the real estate brokerage Redfin. They pointed to higher inventories, fewer bidding wars, and slowing home prices as welcoming signs for home buyers this year. Find out what buyers want most, region by region. In particular, home buyers this summer are finding: More options: Inventories of existing-homes are 6 percent higher than year-ago levels—currently representing a 5.6-month supply at the current sales pace, according to May housing data from the National Association of REALTORS®. The higher inventory levels of homes for-sale means that buyers have m... 07/06/2014

In this months blog, selling condominiums in and around Lapeer Michigan, condos for sale with 2 + bedrooms, contains these great links and informational content... Why do people want to live in this area? Lapeer school information. FREE search of all condos for sale in this area. Local mortgage information. Market Conditions: *  total sales this period  7*  total sales per month  2.33*  comparable listings  7*  months of housing supply  3.00*  average sale price  $65,000*  days on market  43*  average list price  $77,500*  sale price to list price  83.87% Examples of Sold Condos: *  S. Village West Dr, sold in 76 days for $46,500 / 3 bedroom end unit, basement*  E. First St, sold in 17 days for $58,500 / 2 bedroom bi-level, basement*  Wedgewood Dr, sold in 223 days for $125,000 / 3 bedr... 06/14/2014

This months market report, Selling Lapeer Michigan Real Estate, Lapeer Homes For Sale Between $100k And $300k, May 2014, will cover examples of homes listed and sold in the last 45 days, current market stats and links to helpful information. Real estate market data for Lapeer MI, provided by Donald Horne, Realcomp, Realestate.com. Search all of Lapeer and Lapeer Twp. for homes, condos and vacant land for sale. Market Overview For 48446. *  The average mortgage debt is $128,705.00*  Average listing price is $154,270.00 / up 3%*  Average days on market is 60 days / down 28%*  Total active listings is at 186 / up 9%*  6.5% of these listings are foreclosures and short sales / down 27%*  Private owned properties is 69.0%, rented properties 21.0% and vacant properties 10.0%*  The average sale... 05/19/2014

If you have been thinking about selling your Lapeer MI home this summer, this article from RealtorMag is a must read... More home sellers want to get aggressive with the pricing of their home. Forty percent of sellers say they plan to price their homes above market value, according to the latest Redfin Real-Time Seller Survey of 1,128 active home sellers. That can be a risky strategy and backfire, says Paul Reid. “Buyers this year are far less tolerant of overpricing, and homes that aren’t priced appropriately are likely to sit on the market until the seller is forced to reduce the price,” says Reid about the survey results. “Buyers often interpret a price drop as a sign there is something wrong with the home, leading some to negotiate even more aggressively or lose interest altogether.... 05/11/2014

This months, Selling Village Houses Condos in Lapeer Michigan, Condos For Sale blog, contains condos for sale and sold, FREE search of the MLS, neighborhood reports, school and mortgage information, informational links... Why do people want to live in this area? What are the schools like? Lapeer real estate overview. *  Average sold price of all condos in the last 12 months is $85,928.00*  Days on market is 160 days until sold*  Average square footage of condos sold is 1,377*  Price per square foot is $62.40*  Average number of bedrooms is 3 Examples of new listings and solds in the last 45 days. *  Village West Dr, 2 bedroom upper unit asking $49,000.00*  Village West Dr, 2 bedroom upper unit with 1176 sq.ft asking $51,000.00*  Carriage Hill Cir, 3 bedroom upper unit with 1507 sq.ft as... 04/11/2014