Some locations boast short DOM, beating national trend
By Marcie Geffner, Cyberhomes.com
Homeowners typically have two questions top of mind when they decide to sell their home. The first concerns how much their home is worth. The second involves how long it will take to find a buyer. It’s the answer to that second question that real estate brokers refer to as “days on the market,” or “DOM,” in broker shorthand.
While sellers generally experienced significantly longer DOM in 2008, there were some counties where homes were sold comparatively quite briskly in November.
Chittenden County, pop. 150,000, in northwestern Vermont took tops honors for the shortest DOM among 470 counties across the nation. Homes in Chittenden were snapped up after being on the market for just 36 days, or a little longer than one month, on average, according to Cyberhomes.
Read the rest of this story: http://www.cyberhomes.com/content/news/09-01-07/Home_sellers_attentively_count_days_on_market_
Borrowers benefit as Fed lowers rates
Zero bank interest rate could make home loans more affordable.
By Marcie Geffner – LendingTree.com December 19, 2008
Homeowners jumped at the opportunity to refinance their existing mortgages this week after the Federal Reserve lowered two key interest rates, one to a new record low of zero.
The Fed lowered the federal funds rate to a target range of 0 to 0.25 percent, the lowest level on record for at least the last 40 years, and the discount rate 0.75 percent to just 0.50 percent. The federal funds rate is the rate banks charge one another for overnight loans. The discount rate is the rate the Fed charges banks for short-term loans.
Rates may stay low
Mortgage interest rates had already fallen to extremely low levels, yet managed to slip even a bit more after the Fed's action.
The interest rates set by the Fed aren't the same rates that borrowers pay for home, auto or consumer loans. But the Fed's actions indirectly affect how affordable those loans are for borrowers. The latest rate cuts look like a sure sign that the Fed is committed to keeping interest rates low.
How will borrowers benefit?
Lower mortgage interest rates are a boon for homeowners who want to lower their monthly mortgage payments or switch from an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed-rate loan. Homeowners who refinance now can take advantage of 30-year fixed rates that are hovering near historic lows. Homeowners who have an ARM or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may also benefit from a lower rate on their existing loan.
Home buyers can benefit from low interest rates as well. Today’s low rates mean buyers may be able to qualify for a mortgage with lower payments or a higher loan amount.
Fed aim is economic growth
Going forward, the Fed intends to support the functioning of the nation's financial markets and stimulate the economy through low interest rates and other actions. Specifically, the Fed plans to purchase mortgage-backed securities and debt issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to support the mortgage and housing markets. The Fed also will evaluate other actions that might also boost economic activity.
Indeed, the Fed said in its statement that it will "employ all available tools" to promote economic growth and keep prices stable. That determination should benefit borrowers in 2009.
© 2008 LendingTree, LLC. This story, "Borrowers benefit as Fed lowers rates," is reprinted by the author with written permission of LendingTree, LLC.
By Marcie Geffner – LendingTree.com December 19, 2008
Homeowners jumped at the opportunity to refinance their existing mortgages this week after the Federal Reserve lowered two key interest rates, one to a new record low of zero.
The Fed lowered the federal funds rate to a target range of 0 to 0.25 percent, the lowest level on record for at least the last 40 years, and the discount rate 0.75 percent to just 0.50 percent. The federal funds rate is the rate banks charge one another for overnight loans. The discount rate is the rate the Fed charges banks for short-term loans.
Rates may stay low
Mortgage interest rates had already fallen to extremely low levels, yet managed to slip even a bit more after the Fed's action.
The interest rates set by the Fed aren't the same rates that borrowers pay for home, auto or consumer loans. But the Fed's actions indirectly affect how affordable those loans are for borrowers. The latest rate cuts look like a sure sign that the Fed is committed to keeping interest rates low.
How will borrowers benefit?
Lower mortgage interest rates are a boon for homeowners who want to lower their monthly mortgage payments or switch from an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) to a fixed-rate loan. Homeowners who refinance now can take advantage of 30-year fixed rates that are hovering near historic lows. Homeowners who have an ARM or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may also benefit from a lower rate on their existing loan.
Home buyers can benefit from low interest rates as well. Today’s low rates mean buyers may be able to qualify for a mortgage with lower payments or a higher loan amount.
Fed aim is economic growth
Going forward, the Fed intends to support the functioning of the nation's financial markets and stimulate the economy through low interest rates and other actions. Specifically, the Fed plans to purchase mortgage-backed securities and debt issued by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to support the mortgage and housing markets. The Fed also will evaluate other actions that might also boost economic activity.
Indeed, the Fed said in its statement that it will "employ all available tools" to promote economic growth and keep prices stable. That determination should benefit borrowers in 2009.
© 2008 LendingTree, LLC. This story, "Borrowers benefit as Fed lowers rates," is reprinted by the author with written permission of LendingTree, LLC.
Flee, or stay the financial course?
By Marcie Geffner • Bankrate.com
If you're worried about the dramatic ups and downs in the U.S. stock market, you can still count on one thing for sure: You're not alone. Plenty of people have panicked and sold off their mutual funds, raided their bank accounts or taken other ill-considered steps they may well regret later on -- or at least that's the perspective of financial planners, who unanimously advise against hasty decisions and instead advocate calm.
"You can't make good decisions when you are emotional. You have to calm down," says Frank Boucher, principal of Boucher Financial Planning Services in Reston, Va. "Sit back, take a deep breath, relax and when you are ready to deal with it without emotion, you are ready."
Read the rest of this story: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/investing/20090106-financial-uncertainty-a1.asp
If you're worried about the dramatic ups and downs in the U.S. stock market, you can still count on one thing for sure: You're not alone. Plenty of people have panicked and sold off their mutual funds, raided their bank accounts or taken other ill-considered steps they may well regret later on -- or at least that's the perspective of financial planners, who unanimously advise against hasty decisions and instead advocate calm.
"You can't make good decisions when you are emotional. You have to calm down," says Frank Boucher, principal of Boucher Financial Planning Services in Reston, Va. "Sit back, take a deep breath, relax and when you are ready to deal with it without emotion, you are ready."
Read the rest of this story: http://www.bankrate.com/brm/news/investing/20090106-financial-uncertainty-a1.asp