By Andrea Riquier. Rates for home loans slid again, even as the ongoing government shutdown poses a fresh threat for a wobbly housing market. The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage averaged 4.45% in the January 10 week, mortgage liquidity provider Freddie Mac said Thursday. That was down 6 basis points and marked the lowest point for the…

by: Diana Olick  @DIANAOLICK A sharp drop in interest rates to the lowest level since April sparked a mini-boom in mortgage refinancing. Buyers returning to the market after the holidays may have been inspired by the drop in rates, but stock market volatility and the government shutdown could keep some of those mortgage applications from closing.…

By: Diana Olick @DianaOlick Home values are still rising, but the gains have now shrunk to the lowest level since January 2017, as rising mortgage rates cut into affordability. Prices increased 5.5 percent annually in September, down from 5.7 percent in August, according to the S&P CoreLogic Case-Shiller U.S. National Home Price Index. The 10-City…

By Clare Trapasso | Oct 19, 2018 Home sales should be surging. The economy is booming and more people are earning good-sized paychecks again. Millennials are starting to settle down and have children, so they need more space. And the crazy price gains of the last few years are beginning to slow down, with more…

Ever since the whiplash-inducing, bust-and-boom cycle of the U.S. housing market kicked into high gear with last decade’s devastating crash and this decade’s ever-escalating home prices, bidding wars, and inventory shortages, one question has been top of mind for buyers and sellers alike: Is this “party” ending anytime soon? Lately, those who read economic tea…

At its annual Day of Giving, the Concord-Carlisle Community Chest awarded $510,000 in grants to 29 local organizations that serve Concord and Carlisle residents. The chest also acknowledged The Attias Group Real Estate for their generous support as one of two Presenting Business Sponsors. Board Members Paul Mahoney and Ali Sullivan presented the award to…

Should I Sell My House or Rent It? by: DONA DEZUBE When it comes to deciding whether you should rent or sell your house, are you worried you’ll make the wrong financial moves? Here’s how to make the right call. When your current home no longer suits you, selling it is a popular option. But in…

Does a Pool Add Value to a Home? Diving Into the Pros and Cons By Terri Williams | Sep 11, 2018 There’s nothing like diving into a crystal-clear swimming pool on a hot day. To many homeowners and buyers, a pool is a plus—an upscale amenity that will enhance your life and make your home…

With housing inventory shortages rampant across the nation, the summer of 2018 was suppose to be “the most competitive housing market in recorded history,” as realtors braced to field a deluge of offers for every house for sale, allowing sellers to name their price. But as July turns into August, reports suggest that in many…

Potential home buyers form their first impression of a home from its curb appeal. Yet often a home’s outdoor landscaping is overlooked, or underdone, in the preparation for the sales process. An attractive and well-maintained landscape can add as much as 10 percent to the value of your home. Ideally the time to get started…