From the monthly archives:

March 2011

Spring Fever Sends Mortgage Thermometer Up

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for Spring Fever Sends Mortgage Thermometer Up

Tweet A spring fever swept mortgage interest higher this week as investors took an optimistic view of mixed economic signals. The benchmark 30-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 5 basis points this week, to 5.01 percent, according to the Bankrate.com national survey of large lenders. The benchmark 15-year fixed-rate mortgage rose 9 basis points, to 4.25 percent. [...]

Read the full article →

What It Will Take To Fix The Housing Market

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for What It Will Take To Fix The Housing Market

Tweet The conventional wisdom at the moment is that the housing bust still has a ways to go. But smart money rarely follows conventional wisdom, and there are good reasons to buy, even now. Prices may fall a bit further, but it’s very likely that interest rates will go up over the next several months, [...]

Read the full article →

What To Buy In April

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for What To Buy In April

Tweet Oh, April, you cherry-blossom-imbued harbinger of summer to come. When the warmer weather hits, many of us feel the urge to get out of the house and get some exercise, and what better exercise than that American tradition, shopping? Here are some suggestions on what to buy in April. While you might negotiate a [...]

Read the full article →

7 Ways To Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for 7 Ways To Increase Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Tweet If your home is on the market then you might be feeling some despair right now. After all, you’re right on the cusp of the busiest real estate buying season. Your home, and your “curb appeal,” need to look amazing right now – especially since many buyers are likely doing initial drive-bys before they [...]

Read the full article →

Lennar California: 83 Condos Sold At Irvine’s Urban-Themed Project

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for Lennar California: 83 Condos Sold At Irvine’s Urban-Themed Project

Tweet Lennar’s 42-acre, urban-themed Central Park West condo project has sold 83 homes during the first nine months since the project reopened last May, the company announced. That’s 27 units more than it reported sold in August. Lennar reported that it sold 16 units in one four-week period. A company release said that buyers consist [...]

Read the full article →

Fact Or Fiction: Affordable Mortgages

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for Fact Or Fiction: Affordable Mortgages

Tweet Interest rates and fees are rising. Are there still ways to save? Are adjustable-rate mortgages the least expensive? SmartMoney’s AnnaMaria Andriotis looks at some steps home buyers can take to save thousands. [Watch this video]

Read the full article →

Consumer Comfort In U.S. Increases For First Time In Five Weeks

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for Consumer Comfort In U.S. Increases For First Time In Five Weeks

Tweet Consumer confidence in the U.S. rose for the first time in five weeks as Americans said their finances were in better shape. The Bloomberg Consumer Comfort Index improved to minus 46.9 in the period ended March 27 from a seven-month low of minus 48.9 the prior week. Readings this low are historically seen during [...]

Read the full article →

Lennar Is Gearing Up For The Model Grand Opening Of The Ridge In Mission Viejo On April 16th

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for Lennar Is Gearing Up For The Model Grand Opening Of The Ridge In Mission Viejo On April 16th

Tweet Lennar has much to celebrate this month! On Saturday, April 16th, Lennar will grand open their highly anticipated townhomes at The Ridge in Mission Viejo, where prices begin from the $400,000’s. The Ridge represents an all-new homeownership opportunity for Orange County buyers who have wanted a brand-new home in Mission Viejo – and offers [...]

Read the full article →

Jobless Claims In U.S. Fell By 6,000 Last Week To 388,000

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for Jobless Claims In U.S. Fell By 6,000 Last Week To 388,000

Tweet Fewer Americans filed applications for unemployment benefits last week, signaling the labor market is improving heading into the second quarter. Jobless claims fell by 6,000 to 388,000 in the week ended March 26, Labor Department figures showed. A slowdown in firings and growing payrolls may bolster further gains in consumer spending, which accounts for [...]

Read the full article →

Central Florida: Don’t Miss Lennar’s Now Or Never Inventory Home Clearance Event

March 31, 2011
Thumbnail image for Central Florida: Don’t Miss Lennar’s Now Or Never Inventory Home Clearance Event

Tweet Just announced and for a limited time only, Lennar is offering zero down, zero closing costs and monthly mortgage payments from only $615 a month based on a 3.99 percent (4.12 percent APR) 30-year fixed rate with 20 percent down. This payment includes property taxes and homeowners insurance. Financing is through Lennar’s preferred lender, [...]

Read the full article →