Roundup: Broad Ripple T-shirt shop adding Carmel store; Stompin Barley opens

Plus: New places for chicken and popcorn downtown, another Stacked Pickle location, and an expansion by Biscuits Cafe.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64768-roundup-broad-ripple-t-shirt-shop-expanding-to-carmel-stompin-barley-opens-in-the-burb

Pending Sales Increase is 1st in 4 Months; Price Index Wavering; Rates Modestly Lower

Pending home sales recovered from a three-month swoon in June, increasing 1.5 percent in June. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) said its Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI) rose to 110.2. NAR also revised the May PHSI up slightly, from 108.5 to 108.6. The index in June was 0.5 percent higher than a year earlier. NAR said it was the first time the Index ran higher on an annual basis since last March. The Index is a forward-looking indicator based on contracts for existing home purchases. Those contracts are generally expected to result in completed transactions in about two months. Analysts were expecting an increase in contract signings, although at a more modest level. The index came in at the top of predictions from those polled by Econoday which ranged from 0.3 to 1.5 percent

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/31/2915

Homeowners Can Spend More Than $9,000 a Year on Hidden Homeownership and Maintenance Costs

From property taxes to basic maintenance projects like lawn care, homeowners can spend between $7,000 and $16,000 a year in hidden homeownership costs

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-07-31-Homeowners-Can-Spend-More-Than-9-000-a-Year-on-Hidden-Homeownership-and-Maintenance-Costs

What is Causing the Lean Inventory of Houses?

We're halfway through 2017 and macroeconomic conditions are essentially unchanged from the last couple of years. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/outlook/20170726_lean_inventory_of_houses.html?attr=rssCB

Multifamily 2017 Mid-year Outlook

As expected, the multifamily market remained strong in the first half of 2017 as it continued to moderate from the cyclical peak. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/outlook/20170726_multifamily_midyear_outlook.html?attr=rssCB

Watercolors on Walls? You Bet!

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Want to make a bigger statement with a wall? Watercolor wallpaper can add some pizzazz and wispiness to an otherwise blah wall in the home.

Pinterest called watercolor wallpaper one of the hottest trends that emerged from its home design survey in the U.K., in which the site analyzed user data from May 2016 to May 2017 to see the most popular “pins.” More homeowners seem to want to know more about watercolor wallpaper, as it was among one of the most pinned trends in home design.

It can be chic with an abstract design in one or two colors. It can add a soft colorful dimension to a wall.

But instead of leaving this job to a DIY job channeling your old grade-school watercolor skills, you can now get the effect in wallpaper to get your design just right.

Check out some pins about it at Pinterest.

Here are some photos from Houzz showing off some watercolor wallpaper:

Photo by Brewster Home Fashions – Browse living room photos

Photo by Brewster Home Fashions – Browse living room photos

Photo by Robert Passal Interior & Architectural Design – Search living room pictures

Photo by Brewster Home Fashions – More living room photos

from
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2017/07/31/watercolors-on-walls-you-bet/

"Secrets of the Pros - Show 442

Real Estate Today Radio - SHOW 442

On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "Secrets of the Pros."

This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Be Prepared – Buyers
- Be Prepared – Sellers
- Ask The Millennial
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)

Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!

from
http://retradio.com

5 Ideas to Increase the Value of a Basement

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

Article Submitted by Fixr.com

The basement doesn’t just have to be a space to throw all of that extra storage. Show it as usable space, and it may even help you increase the value of the home. Basement remodels typically recoup about 70 percent of their costs at time of resale, which can add a tremendous amount of value to your home.

Making it the coolest room in the house may not be too difficult either. After all, basements tend to stay cooler during the summer months, making this an ideal place for the family to hang out when the weather heats up outside.

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

1. Create an In-Home Theater

Basements not only are typically cooler than the rest of the home, but they’re also usually darker. For that reason, they’re an excellent place to add a theater to watch movies on those hot summer nights. Best of all, you don’t have to do a complete basement remodel, with costs around $50,000, to gain this space. A TV mount costs around $250, while built in seating costs around $840 – $1,680. (Just be sure for safety to completely waterproof the room before running wires through the basement.)

2. Make a Children’s Play Area

Basements are often neglected areas of the home, used primarily for storage and not much else. So why not turn your unused basement space into a new playroom for your kids?

Start with the staircase. Most basements have only partially finished staircases so installing a new one will help make the space more comfortable as well as safer. Next, ensure that you have egress windows installed, and that the basement is fully waterproofed. From there, you can carpet the floors to make the space more comfortable, and move your children’s toys downstairs to make more space in their rooms.

3. Create an Adult Entertainment Space

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

If you love to entertain, consider building a bar into your basement. Basements are already the ideal place to install a wine cellar, so why not take it a step further and put in an entertainment area and bar for parties as well? Basements that walkout onto patios can be the ideal place for summer entertaining, giving guests a way to get in out of the heat or a summer rainstorm. Consider putting in a tile floor to give the room a finished look and keep the floors easy to clean. Match the bar countertop to the color of the floors for a fresh, stylish appearance.

4. Create a Garden Utility Room

If you spend any time out in the garden, you probably know about the dirt, tools, and pots that accompany this hobby. Basements are a great place to install a utility sink and counter, and to store all of your garden paraphernalia. Installing a french drain and a hose will make cleanup a snap, while shelving placed just beneath the windows will give your plants a place to sprout before you take them outside for the summer.

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

5. Create a New Family Room

Family rooms often get even more use than the more formal living room, so family rooms in a cooler basement can get a lot of use during the summer months. Basements finished as family rooms may be coveted by homebuyers too, giving you the maximum return on investment. This includes not only tiling or carpeting the floors, but also putting up drywall to complete the walls as well. Consider adding a suspended acoustic ceiling to help insulate the basement from the sounds above, while making the rooms more attractive at the same time.

To find out more about projects to tackle around the home, be sure to visit the Cost Guides.

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/2X5z6fCZdgE/

Rates Starting to Look Paralyzed; Millennial Homeownership Improves; Why Aren't Builders Building?

Mortgage rates were generally flat today, despite improvements in underlying bond markets. Although several lenders did offer price improvements throughout the course of the day, the improvements were generally "token" in nature and did little to alter the sense of paralysis in the bigger picture. This is the third straight day with essentially no change. Uncertainty, fear, a lack of inspiration, or some combination of the three all have the ability to paralyze rates from time to time. Uncertainty is leading the charge at the moment. On the one hand, we have global central banks chomping at the bit to drain the proverbial punch bowl (buying fewer bonds and raising rates). On the other hand, those central banks admit they can't be too aggressive without justification from rising inflation, and

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/28/2911

Rates Steady to Slightly Lower After Fed; New Home Sales Fall; Fed Statement Differences

Mortgage rates were steady to slightly lower today, despite fairly substantial movement in underlying bond markets. Bond prices ultimately do more to inform mortgage rates than anything else. Prices moved higher today by an amount that would typically result in effective rates falling 0.03-0.05% depending on the lender. But as it stands, the average lender is only 0.01% lower than yesterday's latest offerings. Given recent volatility, it's not outside the realm of possibility that lenders are simply waiting to make sure the gains are still around tomorrow before they adjust rate sheets more aggressively. This would fit with recent patterns of lender rate sheet movement lagging bond market movement. As for today's market motivation, the lion's share of the movement happened after the Fed Announcement

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/26/2909

6th Straight Home Price Record; Rates Spike; Unsealed Court Docs Add to GSE Drama

Mortgage rates moved abruptly higher today, erasing the improvement seen last week. An entire week's worth of movement may or may not be worth stressing out about depending on your perspective. On one hand, we're only talking about a change of roughly 0.06% in terms of the "effective rate" on the average 30yr fixed loan. That'll cost you about $7/month on a $200k loan. On the other hand, last week was the best in more than 2 months. While erasing those gains might not be dramatic in terms of outright financial impact, it could signal a shift in the overall trend. There are 2 trends to consider at the moment. The first only stretches back to early July, and that's the one that's clearly under attack. The other trend is one of general improvement since March 2017, and we'd need to see several

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/25/2907

Fannie/Freddie Joint Venture Too Far Under Radar; Existing Sales Foiled by Same Old Villain

Most of the major proposals for reforming the housing finance system rely on two steps to minimize the risk that any one or two institutions, and in today's environment that would mean the GSEs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, can pose to the mortgage market. Current proposals require that any institution that issues mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the government share most of the related credit risk with others in the private market, and that there be a government or government-like utility to manage the infrastructure used in issuing these securities . In a research paper written for the Urban Institute's Housing Finance Policy Center, Jim Parrott, a non-resident fellow at the Urban Institute (UI) and owner of Falling Creek Advisors, says that the GSE's and their conservator/regulator

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/24/2905

Roundup: Broad Ripple T-shirt shop adding Carmel store; Stompin Barley opens

Plus: New places for chicken and popcorn downtown, another Stacked Pickle location, and an expansion by Biscuits Cafe.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64768-roundup-broad-ripple-t-shirt-shop-expanding-to-carmel-stompin-barley-opens-in-the-burb

Distillery opening tasting room, eatery in newly vibrant East 16th Street area

West Fork Whiskey will move from the northwest side and expand from a production facility to offer whiskey by the glass, plus dining, a bar and a lounge.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64722-distillery-opening-tasting-room-in-newly-vibrant-east-16th-street-area

5 Ideas to Increase the Value of a Basement

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

Article Submitted by Fixr.com

The basement doesn’t just have to be a space to throw all of that extra storage. Show it as usable space, and it may even help you increase the value of the home. Basement remodels typically recoup about 70 percent of their costs at time of resale, which can add a tremendous amount of value to your home.

Making it the coolest room in the house may not be too difficult either. After all, basements tend to stay cooler during the summer months, making this an ideal place for the family to hang out when the weather heats up outside.

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

1. Create an In-Home Theater

Basements not only are typically cooler than the rest of the home, but they’re also usually darker. For that reason, they’re an excellent place to add a theater to watch movies on those hot summer nights. Best of all, you don’t have to do a complete basement remodel, with costs around $50,000, to gain this space. A TV mount costs around $250, while built in seating costs around $840 – $1,680. (Just be sure for safety to completely waterproof the room before running wires through the basement.)

2. Make a Children’s Play Area

Basements are often neglected areas of the home, used primarily for storage and not much else. So why not turn your unused basement space into a new playroom for your kids?

Start with the staircase. Most basements have only partially finished staircases so installing a new one will help make the space more comfortable as well as safer. Next, ensure that you have egress windows installed, and that the basement is fully waterproofed. From there, you can carpet the floors to make the space more comfortable, and move your children’s toys downstairs to make more space in their rooms.

3. Create an Adult Entertainment Space

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

If you love to entertain, consider building a bar into your basement. Basements are already the ideal place to install a wine cellar, so why not take it a step further and put in an entertainment area and bar for parties as well? Basements that walkout onto patios can be the ideal place for summer entertaining, giving guests a way to get in out of the heat or a summer rainstorm. Consider putting in a tile floor to give the room a finished look and keep the floors easy to clean. Match the bar countertop to the color of the floors for a fresh, stylish appearance.

4. Create a Garden Utility Room

If you spend any time out in the garden, you probably know about the dirt, tools, and pots that accompany this hobby. Basements are a great place to install a utility sink and counter, and to store all of your garden paraphernalia. Installing a french drain and a hose will make cleanup a snap, while shelving placed just beneath the windows will give your plants a place to sprout before you take them outside for the summer.

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

5. Create a New Family Room

Family rooms often get even more use than the more formal living room, so family rooms in a cooler basement can get a lot of use during the summer months. Basements finished as family rooms may be coveted by homebuyers too, giving you the maximum return on investment. This includes not only tiling or carpeting the floors, but also putting up drywall to complete the walls as well. Consider adding a suspended acoustic ceiling to help insulate the basement from the sounds above, while making the rooms more attractive at the same time.

To find out more about projects to tackle around the home, be sure to visit the Cost Guides.

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/2X5z6fCZdgE/

Rates Starting to Look Paralyzed; Millennial Homeownership Improves; Why Aren't Builders Building?

Mortgage rates were generally flat today, despite improvements in underlying bond markets. Although several lenders did offer price improvements throughout the course of the day, the improvements were generally "token" in nature and did little to alter the sense of paralysis in the bigger picture. This is the third straight day with essentially no change. Uncertainty, fear, a lack of inspiration, or some combination of the three all have the ability to paralyze rates from time to time. Uncertainty is leading the charge at the moment. On the one hand, we have global central banks chomping at the bit to drain the proverbial punch bowl (buying fewer bonds and raising rates). On the other hand, those central banks admit they can't be too aggressive without justification from rising inflation, and

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/28/2911

Roundup: Broad Ripple T-shirt shop adding Carmel store; Stompin Barley opens

Plus: New places for chicken and popcorn downtown, another Stacked Pickle location, and an expansion by Biscuits Cafe.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64768-roundup-broad-ripple-t-shirt-shop-expanding-to-carmel-stompin-barley-opens-in-the-burb

Distillery opening tasting room, eatery in newly vibrant East 16th Street area

West Fork Whiskey will move from the northwest side and expand from a production facility to offer whiskey by the glass, plus dining, a bar and a lounge.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64722-distillery-opening-tasting-room-in-newly-vibrant-east-16th-street-area

"Secrets of the Pros - Show 442

Real Estate Today Radio - SHOW 442

On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "Secrets of the Pros."

This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Be Prepared – Buyers
- Be Prepared – Sellers
- Ask The Millennial
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)

Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!

from
http://retradio.com

Rates Steady to Slightly Lower After Fed; New Home Sales Fall; Fed Statement Differences

Mortgage rates were steady to slightly lower today, despite fairly substantial movement in underlying bond markets. Bond prices ultimately do more to inform mortgage rates than anything else. Prices moved higher today by an amount that would typically result in effective rates falling 0.03-0.05% depending on the lender. But as it stands, the average lender is only 0.01% lower than yesterday's latest offerings. Given recent volatility, it's not outside the realm of possibility that lenders are simply waiting to make sure the gains are still around tomorrow before they adjust rate sheets more aggressively. This would fit with recent patterns of lender rate sheet movement lagging bond market movement. As for today's market motivation, the lion's share of the movement happened after the Fed Announcement

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/26/2909

6th Straight Home Price Record; Rates Spike; Unsealed Court Docs Add to GSE Drama

Mortgage rates moved abruptly higher today, erasing the improvement seen last week. An entire week's worth of movement may or may not be worth stressing out about depending on your perspective. On one hand, we're only talking about a change of roughly 0.06% in terms of the "effective rate" on the average 30yr fixed loan. That'll cost you about $7/month on a $200k loan. On the other hand, last week was the best in more than 2 months. While erasing those gains might not be dramatic in terms of outright financial impact, it could signal a shift in the overall trend. There are 2 trends to consider at the moment. The first only stretches back to early July, and that's the one that's clearly under attack. The other trend is one of general improvement since March 2017, and we'd need to see several

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/25/2907

Fannie/Freddie Joint Venture Too Far Under Radar; Existing Sales Foiled by Same Old Villain

Most of the major proposals for reforming the housing finance system rely on two steps to minimize the risk that any one or two institutions, and in today's environment that would mean the GSEs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, can pose to the mortgage market. Current proposals require that any institution that issues mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the government share most of the related credit risk with others in the private market, and that there be a government or government-like utility to manage the infrastructure used in issuing these securities . In a research paper written for the Urban Institute's Housing Finance Policy Center, Jim Parrott, a non-resident fellow at the Urban Institute (UI) and owner of Falling Creek Advisors, says that the GSE's and their conservator/regulator

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/24/2905

Mortgage Rates Lowest in July; NAR/NAHB Applaud Flood Insurance Renewal; Significance of Light Volume

Mortgage rates moved lower today, setting yet another new low for the month of July. For the past 2 weeks, rates have been pushing back against a fairly abrupt spike that took place heading into the month. Concerns over the European Central Bank's (ECB's) bond buying plans sparked the move higher, but those concerns were officially put to rest as of yesterday. In simpler terms, extra demand for bonds pushes bond prices higher and rates lower. The ECB buys LOTS of bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds (thus the rate spike heading into July). While that day will likely come eventually

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/21/2901

What is Causing the Lean Inventory of Houses?

We're halfway through 2017 and macroeconomic conditions are essentially unchanged from the last couple of years. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/outlook/20170726_lean_inventory_of_houses.html?attr=rssCB

Roundup: Broad Ripple T-shirt shop adding Carmel store; Stompin Barley opens

Plus: New places for chicken and popcorn downtown, another Stacked Pickle location, and an expansion by Biscuits Cafe.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64768-roundup-broad-ripple-t-shirt-shop-expanding-to-carmel-stompin-barley-opens-in-the-burb

Rates Steady to Slightly Lower After Fed; New Home Sales Fall; Fed Statement Differences

Mortgage rates were steady to slightly lower today, despite fairly substantial movement in underlying bond markets. Bond prices ultimately do more to inform mortgage rates than anything else. Prices moved higher today by an amount that would typically result in effective rates falling 0.03-0.05% depending on the lender. But as it stands, the average lender is only 0.01% lower than yesterday's latest offerings. Given recent volatility, it's not outside the realm of possibility that lenders are simply waiting to make sure the gains are still around tomorrow before they adjust rate sheets more aggressively. This would fit with recent patterns of lender rate sheet movement lagging bond market movement. As for today's market motivation, the lion's share of the movement happened after the Fed Announcement

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/26/2909

6th Straight Home Price Record; Rates Spike; Unsealed Court Docs Add to GSE Drama

Mortgage rates moved abruptly higher today, erasing the improvement seen last week. An entire week's worth of movement may or may not be worth stressing out about depending on your perspective. On one hand, we're only talking about a change of roughly 0.06% in terms of the "effective rate" on the average 30yr fixed loan. That'll cost you about $7/month on a $200k loan. On the other hand, last week was the best in more than 2 months. While erasing those gains might not be dramatic in terms of outright financial impact, it could signal a shift in the overall trend. There are 2 trends to consider at the moment. The first only stretches back to early July, and that's the one that's clearly under attack. The other trend is one of general improvement since March 2017, and we'd need to see several

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/25/2907

Fannie/Freddie Joint Venture Too Far Under Radar; Existing Sales Foiled by Same Old Villain

Most of the major proposals for reforming the housing finance system rely on two steps to minimize the risk that any one or two institutions, and in today's environment that would mean the GSEs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, can pose to the mortgage market. Current proposals require that any institution that issues mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the government share most of the related credit risk with others in the private market, and that there be a government or government-like utility to manage the infrastructure used in issuing these securities . In a research paper written for the Urban Institute's Housing Finance Policy Center, Jim Parrott, a non-resident fellow at the Urban Institute (UI) and owner of Falling Creek Advisors, says that the GSE's and their conservator/regulator

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/24/2905

Mortgage Rates Lowest in July; NAR/NAHB Applaud Flood Insurance Renewal; Significance of Light Volume

Mortgage rates moved lower today, setting yet another new low for the month of July. For the past 2 weeks, rates have been pushing back against a fairly abrupt spike that took place heading into the month. Concerns over the European Central Bank's (ECB's) bond buying plans sparked the move higher, but those concerns were officially put to rest as of yesterday. In simpler terms, extra demand for bonds pushes bond prices higher and rates lower. The ECB buys LOTS of bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds (thus the rate spike heading into July). While that day will likely come eventually

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/21/2901

Rates Hold 3-Week Lows After ECB; Fannie/Freddie Single Security; Origination Stats Steady -EllieMae

Mortgage rates held relatively steady today, keeping them in line with the lowest levels in more than 3 weeks. There was relatively little market movement in response to the policy announcement from the European Central Bank (ECB). That's a good thing considering much of the recent gains in rates can be attributed to traders growing more optimistic about the ECB's stance. To put all this in plain English , the ECB buys bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds. While that day will likely come eventually, today's announcement assures markets that it hasn't been discussed yet. The relatively

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/20/2899

Rates Steady to Slightly Lower After Fed; New Home Sales Fall; Fed Statement Differences

Mortgage rates were steady to slightly lower today, despite fairly substantial movement in underlying bond markets. Bond prices ultimately do more to inform mortgage rates than anything else. Prices moved higher today by an amount that would typically result in effective rates falling 0.03-0.05% depending on the lender. But as it stands, the average lender is only 0.01% lower than yesterday's latest offerings. Given recent volatility, it's not outside the realm of possibility that lenders are simply waiting to make sure the gains are still around tomorrow before they adjust rate sheets more aggressively. This would fit with recent patterns of lender rate sheet movement lagging bond market movement. As for today's market motivation, the lion's share of the movement happened after the Fed Announcement

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/26/2909

Multifamily 2017 Mid-year Outlook

As expected, the multifamily market remained strong in the first half of 2017 as it continued to moderate from the cyclical peak. More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/outlook/20170726_multifamily_midyear_outlook.html?attr=rssCB

6th Straight Home Price Record; Rates Spike; Unsealed Court Docs Add to GSE Drama

Mortgage rates moved abruptly higher today, erasing the improvement seen last week. An entire week's worth of movement may or may not be worth stressing out about depending on your perspective. On one hand, we're only talking about a change of roughly 0.06% in terms of the "effective rate" on the average 30yr fixed loan. That'll cost you about $7/month on a $200k loan. On the other hand, last week was the best in more than 2 months. While erasing those gains might not be dramatic in terms of outright financial impact, it could signal a shift in the overall trend. There are 2 trends to consider at the moment. The first only stretches back to early July, and that's the one that's clearly under attack. The other trend is one of general improvement since March 2017, and we'd need to see several

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/25/2907

Fannie/Freddie Joint Venture Too Far Under Radar; Existing Sales Foiled by Same Old Villain

Most of the major proposals for reforming the housing finance system rely on two steps to minimize the risk that any one or two institutions, and in today's environment that would mean the GSEs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, can pose to the mortgage market. Current proposals require that any institution that issues mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the government share most of the related credit risk with others in the private market, and that there be a government or government-like utility to manage the infrastructure used in issuing these securities . In a research paper written for the Urban Institute's Housing Finance Policy Center, Jim Parrott, a non-resident fellow at the Urban Institute (UI) and owner of Falling Creek Advisors, says that the GSE's and their conservator/regulator

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/24/2905

Mortgage Rates Lowest in July; NAR/NAHB Applaud Flood Insurance Renewal; Significance of Light Volume

Mortgage rates moved lower today, setting yet another new low for the month of July. For the past 2 weeks, rates have been pushing back against a fairly abrupt spike that took place heading into the month. Concerns over the European Central Bank's (ECB's) bond buying plans sparked the move higher, but those concerns were officially put to rest as of yesterday. In simpler terms, extra demand for bonds pushes bond prices higher and rates lower. The ECB buys LOTS of bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds (thus the rate spike heading into July). While that day will likely come eventually

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/21/2901

Rates Hold 3-Week Lows After ECB; Fannie/Freddie Single Security; Origination Stats Steady -EllieMae

Mortgage rates held relatively steady today, keeping them in line with the lowest levels in more than 3 weeks. There was relatively little market movement in response to the policy announcement from the European Central Bank (ECB). That's a good thing considering much of the recent gains in rates can be attributed to traders growing more optimistic about the ECB's stance. To put all this in plain English , the ECB buys bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds. While that day will likely come eventually, today's announcement assures markets that it hasn't been discussed yet. The relatively

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/20/2899

Construction Numbers End Slump; Apps Bounce Back; Rates at 3-Week Lows

Mortgage rates moved lower today, despite slightly weaker underlying bond markets. This has been an ongoing phenomenon in recent days. Bonds improve, implying lower mortgage rates, but lenders wait to drop rates until bond market improvement is vetted. In the current case, yesterday's market gains remained relatively intact despite today's market losses, thus giving lenders the green light to pass the gains through to mortgage rate sheets. Although today's rates aren't appreciably lower than yesterday's, they're technically the best we've seen since June 28th. More lenders are quoting top tier conventional 30yr fixed rates of 4.0% instead of 4.125%, and some of the aggressive lenders are back down to 3.875%. If there's been an underlying reason for the hesitation on the part of lenders, the

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/19/2897

Foreign Buyers Surge into U.S.; Affordability Troubling Builders; Rates Edge Lower

Our neighbors to the north seem to think the grass is pretty green on this side of the fence. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) says that foreign investment in the U.S. residential market skyrocketed to a new high during the 12 months that ended in March. Those sales were fueled by a substantial increase from Canadian buyers. NAR released results from its 2017 survey of international residential buyers on Tuesday. It shows buyers from each of the top five home countries increased their activity from 2016, and that nearly half of all foreign sales were in Florida, California and Texas. Between April 2016 and March 2017, foreign buyers and recent immigrants purchased $153.0 billion of residential property. This is 49 percent more than was indicated in the 2016 survey ($102.6 billion

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/18/2895

Fannie/Freddie Joint Venture Too Far Under Radar; Existing Sales Foiled by Same Old Villain

Most of the major proposals for reforming the housing finance system rely on two steps to minimize the risk that any one or two institutions, and in today's environment that would mean the GSEs Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, can pose to the mortgage market. Current proposals require that any institution that issues mortgage-backed securities guaranteed by the government share most of the related credit risk with others in the private market, and that there be a government or government-like utility to manage the infrastructure used in issuing these securities . In a research paper written for the Urban Institute's Housing Finance Policy Center, Jim Parrott, a non-resident fellow at the Urban Institute (UI) and owner of Falling Creek Advisors, says that the GSE's and their conservator/regulator

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/24/2905

Mortgage Rates Lowest in July; NAR/NAHB Applaud Flood Insurance Renewal; Significance of Light Volume

Mortgage rates moved lower today, setting yet another new low for the month of July. For the past 2 weeks, rates have been pushing back against a fairly abrupt spike that took place heading into the month. Concerns over the European Central Bank's (ECB's) bond buying plans sparked the move higher, but those concerns were officially put to rest as of yesterday. In simpler terms, extra demand for bonds pushes bond prices higher and rates lower. The ECB buys LOTS of bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds (thus the rate spike heading into July). While that day will likely come eventually

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/21/2901

Rates Hold 3-Week Lows After ECB; Fannie/Freddie Single Security; Origination Stats Steady -EllieMae

Mortgage rates held relatively steady today, keeping them in line with the lowest levels in more than 3 weeks. There was relatively little market movement in response to the policy announcement from the European Central Bank (ECB). That's a good thing considering much of the recent gains in rates can be attributed to traders growing more optimistic about the ECB's stance. To put all this in plain English , the ECB buys bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds. While that day will likely come eventually, today's announcement assures markets that it hasn't been discussed yet. The relatively

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/20/2899

Construction Numbers End Slump; Apps Bounce Back; Rates at 3-Week Lows

Mortgage rates moved lower today, despite slightly weaker underlying bond markets. This has been an ongoing phenomenon in recent days. Bonds improve, implying lower mortgage rates, but lenders wait to drop rates until bond market improvement is vetted. In the current case, yesterday's market gains remained relatively intact despite today's market losses, thus giving lenders the green light to pass the gains through to mortgage rate sheets. Although today's rates aren't appreciably lower than yesterday's, they're technically the best we've seen since June 28th. More lenders are quoting top tier conventional 30yr fixed rates of 4.0% instead of 4.125%, and some of the aggressive lenders are back down to 3.875%. If there's been an underlying reason for the hesitation on the part of lenders, the

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/19/2897

Foreign Buyers Surge into U.S.; Affordability Troubling Builders; Rates Edge Lower

Our neighbors to the north seem to think the grass is pretty green on this side of the fence. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) says that foreign investment in the U.S. residential market skyrocketed to a new high during the 12 months that ended in March. Those sales were fueled by a substantial increase from Canadian buyers. NAR released results from its 2017 survey of international residential buyers on Tuesday. It shows buyers from each of the top five home countries increased their activity from 2016, and that nearly half of all foreign sales were in Florida, California and Texas. Between April 2016 and March 2017, foreign buyers and recent immigrants purchased $153.0 billion of residential property. This is 49 percent more than was indicated in the 2016 survey ($102.6 billion

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/18/2895

Distillery opening tasting room, eatery in newly vibrant East 16th Street area

West Fork Whiskey will move from the northwest side and expand from a production facility to offer whiskey by the glass, plus dining, a bar and a lounge.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64722-distillery-opening-tasting-room-in-newly-vibrant-east-16th-street-area

5 Ideas to Increase the Value of a Basement

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

Article Submitted by Fixr.com

The basement doesn’t just have to be a space to throw all of that extra storage. Show it as usable space, and it may even help you increase the value of the home. Basement remodels typically recoup about 70 percent of their costs at time of resale, which can add a tremendous amount of value to your home.

Making it the coolest room in the house may not be too difficult either. After all, basements tend to stay cooler during the summer months, making this an ideal place for the family to hang out when the weather heats up outside.

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

1. Create an In-Home Theater

Basements not only are typically cooler than the rest of the home, but they’re also usually darker. For that reason, they’re an excellent place to add a theater to watch movies on those hot summer nights. Best of all, you don’t have to do a complete basement remodel, with costs around $50,000, to gain this space. A TV mount costs around $250, while built in seating costs around $840 – $1,680. (Just be sure for safety to completely waterproof the room before running wires through the basement.)

2. Make a Children’s Play Area

Basements are often neglected areas of the home, used primarily for storage and not much else. So why not turn your unused basement space into a new playroom for your kids?

Start with the staircase. Most basements have only partially finished staircases so installing a new one will help make the space more comfortable as well as safer. Next, ensure that you have egress windows installed, and that the basement is fully waterproofed. From there, you can carpet the floors to make the space more comfortable, and move your children’s toys downstairs to make more space in their rooms.

3. Create an Adult Entertainment Space

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

If you love to entertain, consider building a bar into your basement. Basements are already the ideal place to install a wine cellar, so why not take it a step further and put in an entertainment area and bar for parties as well? Basements that walkout onto patios can be the ideal place for summer entertaining, giving guests a way to get in out of the heat or a summer rainstorm. Consider putting in a tile floor to give the room a finished look and keep the floors easy to clean. Match the bar countertop to the color of the floors for a fresh, stylish appearance.

4. Create a Garden Utility Room

If you spend any time out in the garden, you probably know about the dirt, tools, and pots that accompany this hobby. Basements are a great place to install a utility sink and counter, and to store all of your garden paraphernalia. Installing a french drain and a hose will make cleanup a snap, while shelving placed just beneath the windows will give your plants a place to sprout before you take them outside for the summer.

Photo courtesy Shannon Dittmann

5. Create a New Family Room

Family rooms often get even more use than the more formal living room, so family rooms in a cooler basement can get a lot of use during the summer months. Basements finished as family rooms may be coveted by homebuyers too, giving you the maximum return on investment. This includes not only tiling or carpeting the floors, but also putting up drywall to complete the walls as well. Consider adding a suspended acoustic ceiling to help insulate the basement from the sounds above, while making the rooms more attractive at the same time.

To find out more about projects to tackle around the home, be sure to visit the Cost Guides.

from
http://styledstagedsold.blogs.realtor.org/2017/07/24/5-ideas-to-increase-the-value-of-a-basement/

Your Mortgage - Show 441

Real Estate Today Radio - SHOW 441

On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "Your Mortgage."

This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Own It!
- Finding a Lender
- Ask The Millennial
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)

Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!

from
http://retradio.com

Roundup: Carmel winemaker expanding downtown; butchery taking Fountain Square space

Milhaus has attracted three retail tenants to its new 747 apartment building on Mass Ave, while the vacant Marrow space has added some meat to its bones.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64670-roundup-carmel-winery-expanding-downtown-butchery-taking-fountain-square-space

Typical U.S. Home Worth More Than $200,000 for First Time

Home values across the country are up 7.4 percent over the past year, to a median home value of $200,400, according to the June Zillow Real Estate Market Reports

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-07-20-Typical-U-S-Home-Worth-More-Than-200-000-for-First-Time

If Housing Is So Affordable, Why Doesn't It Feel That Way?

Don't take my word for it. The Housing Affordability Index (HAI) developed by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and published on the HUD website backs me up... More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20170719_affordability.html?attr=rssCB

Gen X Homeowners Lag Behind in Building Equity, Showing Scars from Housing Crash

Zillow's new report examines equity across generations and markets, revealing how the housing recession and recovery affected homeowners across the country.

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-07-18-Gen-X-Homeowners-Lag-Behind-in-Building-Equity-Showing-Scars-from-Housing-Crash

Wine shop opens at prominent north-side intersection

The new Vine & Table location at the southeast corner of College Avenue and Kessler Boulevard follows the original shop in Carmel. A liquor store chain acquired the business last year.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64631-wine-shop-opens-at-prominent-north-side-intersection

Hot Home Trend to Watch: The Two-Toned Kitchen

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Two-toned colored kitchens are gaining popularity this year. White and gray painted cabinets are dominating kitchen color schemes, according to the 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends survey conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Particularly gray-toned kitchen cabinets are seeing a surge in popularity lately.

 

 

Photo by Shaddock Caldwell Builders & Developers – Browse kitchen ideas

 

Other colors are getting mixed in too, adding a little more pizzazz to kitchen design. For example, the surrounding kitchen cabinets may be white and then the center island may feature gray cabinets. Or, white cabinets may be on the top and then gray cabinets on the bottom.

 

Photo by Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. – Browse kitchen ideas

Photo by Marvin Windows and Doors – Search kitchen design ideas

 

Other materials are getting mixed in the kitchen too.  The combinations, however, are mostly muted and simple. “Clean lines with no fussy moldings or trims,” one NKBA survey respondent said. “White kitchens are never going away, but I’ve recommended mixed countertop materials, mixed cabinet colors and frequently use lots of light/dark materials for contrast.”

 

Photo by Mulcahy Ralphs Architects – Discover kitchen design inspiration

 

 

That said, for the more daring, blue or black-toned cabinets as well as high-gloss finishes are gaining popularity in kitchen designs too, according to NKBA’s survey.

 

 

Photo by Ebstone – More kitchen photos

 

 

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/D4MwMUV7IvE/

Typical U.S. Home Worth More Than $200,000 for First Time

Home values across the country are up 7.4 percent over the past year, to a median home value of $200,400, according to the June Zillow Real Estate Market Reports

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-07-20-Typical-U-S-Home-Worth-More-Than-200-000-for-First-Time

Gen X Homeowners Lag Behind in Building Equity, Showing Scars from Housing Crash

Zillow's new report examines equity across generations and markets, revealing how the housing recession and recovery affected homeowners across the country.

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-07-18-Gen-X-Homeowners-Lag-Behind-in-Building-Equity-Showing-Scars-from-Housing-Crash

Hot Home Trend to Watch: The Two-Toned Kitchen

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Two-toned colored kitchens are gaining popularity this year. White and gray painted cabinets are dominating kitchen color schemes, according to the 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends survey conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Particularly gray-toned kitchen cabinets are seeing a surge in popularity lately.

 

 

Photo by Shaddock Caldwell Builders & Developers – Browse kitchen ideas

 

Other colors are getting mixed in too, adding a little more pizzazz to kitchen design. For example, the surrounding kitchen cabinets may be white and then the center island may feature gray cabinets. Or, white cabinets may be on the top and then gray cabinets on the bottom.

 

Photo by Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. – Browse kitchen ideas

Photo by Marvin Windows and Doors – Search kitchen design ideas

 

Other materials are getting mixed in the kitchen too.  The combinations, however, are mostly muted and simple. “Clean lines with no fussy moldings or trims,” one NKBA survey respondent said. “White kitchens are never going away, but I’ve recommended mixed countertop materials, mixed cabinet colors and frequently use lots of light/dark materials for contrast.”

 

Photo by Mulcahy Ralphs Architects – Discover kitchen design inspiration

 

 

That said, for the more daring, blue or black-toned cabinets as well as high-gloss finishes are gaining popularity in kitchen designs too, according to NKBA’s survey.

 

 

Photo by Ebstone – More kitchen photos

 

 

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/D4MwMUV7IvE/

Mortgage Rates Lowest in July; NAR/NAHB Applaud Flood Insurance Renewal; Significance of Light Volume

Mortgage rates moved lower today, setting yet another new low for the month of July. For the past 2 weeks, rates have been pushing back against a fairly abrupt spike that took place heading into the month. Concerns over the European Central Bank's (ECB's) bond buying plans sparked the move higher, but those concerns were officially put to rest as of yesterday. In simpler terms, extra demand for bonds pushes bond prices higher and rates lower. The ECB buys LOTS of bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds (thus the rate spike heading into July). While that day will likely come eventually

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/21/2901

Rates Hold 3-Week Lows After ECB; Fannie/Freddie Single Security; Origination Stats Steady -EllieMae

Mortgage rates held relatively steady today, keeping them in line with the lowest levels in more than 3 weeks. There was relatively little market movement in response to the policy announcement from the European Central Bank (ECB). That's a good thing considering much of the recent gains in rates can be attributed to traders growing more optimistic about the ECB's stance. To put all this in plain English , the ECB buys bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds. While that day will likely come eventually, today's announcement assures markets that it hasn't been discussed yet. The relatively

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/20/2899

Construction Numbers End Slump; Apps Bounce Back; Rates at 3-Week Lows

Mortgage rates moved lower today, despite slightly weaker underlying bond markets. This has been an ongoing phenomenon in recent days. Bonds improve, implying lower mortgage rates, but lenders wait to drop rates until bond market improvement is vetted. In the current case, yesterday's market gains remained relatively intact despite today's market losses, thus giving lenders the green light to pass the gains through to mortgage rate sheets. Although today's rates aren't appreciably lower than yesterday's, they're technically the best we've seen since June 28th. More lenders are quoting top tier conventional 30yr fixed rates of 4.0% instead of 4.125%, and some of the aggressive lenders are back down to 3.875%. If there's been an underlying reason for the hesitation on the part of lenders, the

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/19/2897

Foreign Buyers Surge into U.S.; Affordability Troubling Builders; Rates Edge Lower

Our neighbors to the north seem to think the grass is pretty green on this side of the fence. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) says that foreign investment in the U.S. residential market skyrocketed to a new high during the 12 months that ended in March. Those sales were fueled by a substantial increase from Canadian buyers. NAR released results from its 2017 survey of international residential buyers on Tuesday. It shows buyers from each of the top five home countries increased their activity from 2016, and that nearly half of all foreign sales were in Florida, California and Texas. Between April 2016 and March 2017, foreign buyers and recent immigrants purchased $153.0 billion of residential property. This is 49 percent more than was indicated in the 2016 survey ($102.6 billion

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/18/2895

Rates Up Despite Bond Gains; New Home Apps Take Seasonal Hit; Fannie Outlook; Buyer's Remorse?

Mortgage rates are largely dictated by movements in bond markets--specifically mortgage-backed securities (MBS). When bonds improve, prices rise and investors are willing to pay more to buy loans. This results in rates moving lower. In other words, bond market improvement = lower rates. With all of that in mind, today is a bit of a paradox as the average lender is quoting slightly higher rates today, despite general improvements in bond markets. Nothing too terribly mysterious is at work here though. The inconsistency has more to do with the timing of Friday's market movements and the generally narrow range over the past four days. Specifically, bonds weakened progressively into Friday afternoon and most lenders never fully adjusted rate sheets to account for that weakness. This left the average

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/17/2893

Mortgage Rates Lowest in July; NAR/NAHB Applaud Flood Insurance Renewal; Significance of Light Volume

Mortgage rates moved lower today, setting yet another new low for the month of July. For the past 2 weeks, rates have been pushing back against a fairly abrupt spike that took place heading into the month. Concerns over the European Central Bank's (ECB's) bond buying plans sparked the move higher, but those concerns were officially put to rest as of yesterday. In simpler terms, extra demand for bonds pushes bond prices higher and rates lower. The ECB buys LOTS of bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds (thus the rate spike heading into July). While that day will likely come eventually

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/21/2901

Your Mortgage - Show 441

Real Estate Today Radio - SHOW 441

On this week's Real Estate Today, it's our special show "Your Mortgage."

This Week's Show Includes:
- Top News Of The Week
- Own It!
- Finding a Lender
- Ask The Millennial
- Smart Home Technology
- Get REALTOR(R)

Become a part of the community at http://retradio.com!

from
http://retradio.com

Roundup: Carmel winemaker expanding downtown; butchery taking Fountain Square space

Milhaus has attracted three retail tenants to its new 747 apartment building on Mass Ave, while the vacant Marrow space has added some meat to its bones.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64670-roundup-carmel-winery-expanding-downtown-butchery-taking-fountain-square-space

Typical U.S. Home Worth More Than $200,000 for First Time

Home values across the country are up 7.4 percent over the past year, to a median home value of $200,400, according to the June Zillow Real Estate Market Reports

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-07-20-Typical-U-S-Home-Worth-More-Than-200-000-for-First-Time

Gen X Homeowners Lag Behind in Building Equity, Showing Scars from Housing Crash

Zillow's new report examines equity across generations and markets, revealing how the housing recession and recovery affected homeowners across the country.

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-07-18-Gen-X-Homeowners-Lag-Behind-in-Building-Equity-Showing-Scars-from-Housing-Crash

Wine shop opens at prominent north-side intersection

The new Vine & Table location at the southeast corner of College Avenue and Kessler Boulevard follows the original shop in Carmel. A liquor store chain acquired the business last year.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64631-wine-shop-opens-at-prominent-north-side-intersection

Hot Home Trend to Watch: The Two-Toned Kitchen

By Melissa Dittmann Tracey, REALTOR® Magazine

Two-toned colored kitchens are gaining popularity this year. White and gray painted cabinets are dominating kitchen color schemes, according to the 2017 Kitchen & Bath Design Trends survey conducted by the National Kitchen and Bath Association.

Particularly gray-toned kitchen cabinets are seeing a surge in popularity lately.

 

 

Photo by Shaddock Caldwell Builders & Developers – Browse kitchen ideas

 

Other colors are getting mixed in too, adding a little more pizzazz to kitchen design. For example, the surrounding kitchen cabinets may be white and then the center island may feature gray cabinets. Or, white cabinets may be on the top and then gray cabinets on the bottom.

 

Photo by Tobi Brockway Interiors Inc. – Browse kitchen ideas

Photo by Marvin Windows and Doors – Search kitchen design ideas

 

Other materials are getting mixed in the kitchen too.  The combinations, however, are mostly muted and simple. “Clean lines with no fussy moldings or trims,” one NKBA survey respondent said. “White kitchens are never going away, but I’ve recommended mixed countertop materials, mixed cabinet colors and frequently use lots of light/dark materials for contrast.”

 

Photo by Mulcahy Ralphs Architects – Discover kitchen design inspiration

 

 

That said, for the more daring, blue or black-toned cabinets as well as high-gloss finishes are gaining popularity in kitchen designs too, according to NKBA’s survey.

 

 

Photo by Ebstone – More kitchen photos

 

 

from
http://feedproxy.google.com/~r/StyledStagedSold/~3/D4MwMUV7IvE/

Rates Hold 3-Week Lows After ECB; Fannie/Freddie Single Security; Origination Stats Steady -EllieMae

Mortgage rates held relatively steady today, keeping them in line with the lowest levels in more than 3 weeks. There was relatively little market movement in response to the policy announcement from the European Central Bank (ECB). That's a good thing considering much of the recent gains in rates can be attributed to traders growing more optimistic about the ECB's stance. To put all this in plain English , the ECB buys bonds. This puts downward pressure on rates around the world (more so in Europe than in the US, but we still get some indirect benefit). There was some concern at the end of June that the ECB was getting closer to announcing it would buy fewer bonds. While that day will likely come eventually, today's announcement assures markets that it hasn't been discussed yet. The relatively

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/20/2899

Construction Numbers End Slump; Apps Bounce Back; Rates at 3-Week Lows

Mortgage rates moved lower today, despite slightly weaker underlying bond markets. This has been an ongoing phenomenon in recent days. Bonds improve, implying lower mortgage rates, but lenders wait to drop rates until bond market improvement is vetted. In the current case, yesterday's market gains remained relatively intact despite today's market losses, thus giving lenders the green light to pass the gains through to mortgage rate sheets. Although today's rates aren't appreciably lower than yesterday's, they're technically the best we've seen since June 28th. More lenders are quoting top tier conventional 30yr fixed rates of 4.0% instead of 4.125%, and some of the aggressive lenders are back down to 3.875%. If there's been an underlying reason for the hesitation on the part of lenders, the

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/19/2897

Foreign Buyers Surge into U.S.; Affordability Troubling Builders; Rates Edge Lower

Our neighbors to the north seem to think the grass is pretty green on this side of the fence. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) says that foreign investment in the U.S. residential market skyrocketed to a new high during the 12 months that ended in March. Those sales were fueled by a substantial increase from Canadian buyers. NAR released results from its 2017 survey of international residential buyers on Tuesday. It shows buyers from each of the top five home countries increased their activity from 2016, and that nearly half of all foreign sales were in Florida, California and Texas. Between April 2016 and March 2017, foreign buyers and recent immigrants purchased $153.0 billion of residential property. This is 49 percent more than was indicated in the 2016 survey ($102.6 billion

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/18/2895

Rates Up Despite Bond Gains; New Home Apps Take Seasonal Hit; Fannie Outlook; Buyer's Remorse?

Mortgage rates are largely dictated by movements in bond markets--specifically mortgage-backed securities (MBS). When bonds improve, prices rise and investors are willing to pay more to buy loans. This results in rates moving lower. In other words, bond market improvement = lower rates. With all of that in mind, today is a bit of a paradox as the average lender is quoting slightly higher rates today, despite general improvements in bond markets. Nothing too terribly mysterious is at work here though. The inconsistency has more to do with the timing of Friday's market movements and the generally narrow range over the past four days. Specifically, bonds weakened progressively into Friday afternoon and most lenders never fully adjusted rate sheets to account for that weakness. This left the average

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/17/2893

Inventory Juices Price, Plagues Sales; Guidelines Loosen; CFPB Proposes HELOC Change; Rate Volatility

Redfin, the Seattle-based real estate company, says that the drought in listings that has affected the inventory of homes for sale marked its 21 st month in June. This is driving prices up and marketing time down , with each setting new records during the month. The typical home found a buyer in 36 days, a day less than the record set in May. More than a quarter, of homes that sold, 26.6 percent, did so above their list price, driving the average sale-to-list price ratio to a record high of 95.5 percent. Redfin's estimate of annual home prices increases is in line with that of other companies that track them; a 7.3 percent gain from the previous June, to a median of $298,000. This is the highest since the company began tracking it in 2010. Their estimate of the month-over-month gain was wildly

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/14/2889

Rates Give Back Some of Yesterday's Gains; What Homeowners are Buying When They Move; Appraisal Trends

Mortgage rates had their first great day in several weeks yesterday, but ended up giving back some of those gains today. Bond markets that underlie interest rates took their cues from central bank statements. In Europe, unnamed officials suggested the European Central Bank (ECB) would announce a plan to decrease its bond buying in September. Because central bank bond buying puts downward pressure on rates, this sort of news puts upward pressure on rates! Granted, we're talking about limited comments from the other side of the world. As such, the impact on mortgage rates in the US is limited, but there was impact nonetheless. Bond markets also took some damage from Fed Chair Yellen's 2nd day testifying before congress. This time around, she showed a bit more conviction on the topic of removing

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/13/2887

Roundup: Carmel winery expanding downtown; butchery taking Fountain Square space

Milhaus has attracted three retail tenants to its new 747 apartment building on Mass Ave, while the vacant Marrow space has added some meat to its bones.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64670-roundup-carmel-winery-expanding-downtown-butchery-taking-fountain-square-space

If Housing Is So Affordable, Why Doesn't It Feel That Way?

Don't take my word for it. The Housing Affordability Index (HAI) developed by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and published on the HUD website backs me up... More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20170719_affordability.html?attr=rssCB

Typical U.S. Home Worth More Than $200,000 for First Time

Home values across the country are up 7.4 percent over the past year, to a median home value of $200,400, according to the June Zillow Real Estate Market Reports

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-07-20-Typical-U-S-Home-Worth-More-Than-200-000-for-First-Time

Construction Numbers End Slump; Apps Bounce Back; Rates at 3-Week Lows

Mortgage rates moved lower today, despite slightly weaker underlying bond markets. This has been an ongoing phenomenon in recent days. Bonds improve, implying lower mortgage rates, but lenders wait to drop rates until bond market improvement is vetted. In the current case, yesterday's market gains remained relatively intact despite today's market losses, thus giving lenders the green light to pass the gains through to mortgage rate sheets. Although today's rates aren't appreciably lower than yesterday's, they're technically the best we've seen since June 28th. More lenders are quoting top tier conventional 30yr fixed rates of 4.0% instead of 4.125%, and some of the aggressive lenders are back down to 3.875%. If there's been an underlying reason for the hesitation on the part of lenders, the

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/19/2897

Foreign Buyers Surge into U.S.; Affordability Troubling Builders; Rates Edge Lower

Our neighbors to the north seem to think the grass is pretty green on this side of the fence. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) says that foreign investment in the U.S. residential market skyrocketed to a new high during the 12 months that ended in March. Those sales were fueled by a substantial increase from Canadian buyers. NAR released results from its 2017 survey of international residential buyers on Tuesday. It shows buyers from each of the top five home countries increased their activity from 2016, and that nearly half of all foreign sales were in Florida, California and Texas. Between April 2016 and March 2017, foreign buyers and recent immigrants purchased $153.0 billion of residential property. This is 49 percent more than was indicated in the 2016 survey ($102.6 billion

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/18/2895

Rates Up Despite Bond Gains; New Home Apps Take Seasonal Hit; Fannie Outlook; Buyer's Remorse?

Mortgage rates are largely dictated by movements in bond markets--specifically mortgage-backed securities (MBS). When bonds improve, prices rise and investors are willing to pay more to buy loans. This results in rates moving lower. In other words, bond market improvement = lower rates. With all of that in mind, today is a bit of a paradox as the average lender is quoting slightly higher rates today, despite general improvements in bond markets. Nothing too terribly mysterious is at work here though. The inconsistency has more to do with the timing of Friday's market movements and the generally narrow range over the past four days. Specifically, bonds weakened progressively into Friday afternoon and most lenders never fully adjusted rate sheets to account for that weakness. This left the average

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/17/2893

Inventory Juices Price, Plagues Sales; Guidelines Loosen; CFPB Proposes HELOC Change; Rate Volatility

Redfin, the Seattle-based real estate company, says that the drought in listings that has affected the inventory of homes for sale marked its 21 st month in June. This is driving prices up and marketing time down , with each setting new records during the month. The typical home found a buyer in 36 days, a day less than the record set in May. More than a quarter, of homes that sold, 26.6 percent, did so above their list price, driving the average sale-to-list price ratio to a record high of 95.5 percent. Redfin's estimate of annual home prices increases is in line with that of other companies that track them; a 7.3 percent gain from the previous June, to a median of $298,000. This is the highest since the company began tracking it in 2010. Their estimate of the month-over-month gain was wildly

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/14/2889

Rates Give Back Some of Yesterday's Gains; What Homeowners are Buying When They Move; Appraisal Trends

Mortgage rates had their first great day in several weeks yesterday, but ended up giving back some of those gains today. Bond markets that underlie interest rates took their cues from central bank statements. In Europe, unnamed officials suggested the European Central Bank (ECB) would announce a plan to decrease its bond buying in September. Because central bank bond buying puts downward pressure on rates, this sort of news puts upward pressure on rates! Granted, we're talking about limited comments from the other side of the world. As such, the impact on mortgage rates in the US is limited, but there was impact nonetheless. Bond markets also took some damage from Fed Chair Yellen's 2nd day testifying before congress. This time around, she showed a bit more conviction on the topic of removing

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/13/2887

Rates at 2-Week Lows After Yellen; Housing as Investment; HUD Suspends Lender; Refi Apps Tank

Mortgage rates had been holding in a narrow range near their highest levels in roughly 3 months over the past few days. Despite some stability in underlying bond markets, lenders had hesitated to make meaningful adjustments to rate sheets (in their defense, there wasn't much to work with). That all changed today after Fed Chair Yellen's congressional testimony. In fact, it was the prepared remarks for the testimony, released at 8:30am ET this morning that did the trick for bond markets (which underlie interest rate movement). Market participants were eager to see if Yellen would strike a similarly soft tone to some of the recent speeches from other members of the Fed. Indeed, that was the case as Yellen said the Fed doesn't need to hike much more in order to reach a neutral Fed Funds Rate.

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/12/2885

If Housing Is So Affordable, Why Doesn't It Feel That Way?

Don't take my word for it. The Housing Affordability Index (HAI) developed by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) and published on the HUD website backs me up... More

from
http://www.freddiemac.com/research/insight/20170719_affordability.html?attr=rssCB

Wine shop opens at prominent north-side intersection

The new Vine & Table location at the southeast corner of College Avenue and Kessler Boulevard follows the original shop in Carmel. A liquor store chain acquired the business last year.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64631-wine-shop-opens-at-prominent-north-side-intersection

Roundup: Sushi bar opens in downtown tower, while Starbucks readies spot in another

New eateries are taking root in downtown Indianapolis, Fountain Square, Fishers and Zionsville. And Twenty Tap, south of Broad Ripple, is expected to reopen by the end of the month.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64623-roundup-sushi-bar-opens-in-downtown-tower-while-starbucks-plans-to-open-in-another

One Sun hotel project hits snag while two others prepare to get under way

Sun Development & Management Corp. has three downtown hotel projects in its pipeline but says one needs $3 million to $4 million in city assistance to go forward.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64589-developer-makes-progress-on-two-of-three-downtown-hotel-projects

Foreign Buyers Surge into U.S.; Affordability Troubling Builders; Rates Edge Lower

Our neighbors to the north seem to think the grass is pretty green on this side of the fence. The National Association of Realtors® (NAR) says that foreign investment in the U.S. residential market skyrocketed to a new high during the 12 months that ended in March. Those sales were fueled by a substantial increase from Canadian buyers. NAR released results from its 2017 survey of international residential buyers on Tuesday. It shows buyers from each of the top five home countries increased their activity from 2016, and that nearly half of all foreign sales were in Florida, California and Texas. Between April 2016 and March 2017, foreign buyers and recent immigrants purchased $153.0 billion of residential property. This is 49 percent more than was indicated in the 2016 survey ($102.6 billion

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/18/2895

Gen X Homeowners Lag Behind in Building Equity, Showing Scars from Housing Crash

Zillow's new report examines equity across generations and markets, revealing how the housing recession and recovery affected homeowners across the country.

from
http://zillow.mediaroom.com/2017-07-18-Gen-X-Homeowners-Lag-Behind-in-Building-Equity-Showing-Scars-from-Housing-Crash

Rates Up Despite Bond Gains; New Home Apps Take Seasonal Hit; Fannie Outlook; Buyer's Remorse?

Mortgage rates are largely dictated by movements in bond markets--specifically mortgage-backed securities (MBS). When bonds improve, prices rise and investors are willing to pay more to buy loans. This results in rates moving lower. In other words, bond market improvement = lower rates. With all of that in mind, today is a bit of a paradox as the average lender is quoting slightly higher rates today, despite general improvements in bond markets. Nothing too terribly mysterious is at work here though. The inconsistency has more to do with the timing of Friday's market movements and the generally narrow range over the past four days. Specifically, bonds weakened progressively into Friday afternoon and most lenders never fully adjusted rate sheets to account for that weakness. This left the average

from
http://www.mortgagenewsdaily.com/reports/newsletter/2017/7/17/2893

Wine shop opens at prominent north-side intersection

The new Vine & Table location at the southeast corner of College Avenue and Kessler Boulevard follows the original shop in Carmel. A liquor store chain acquired the business last year.

from
https://www.ibj.com/blogs/3-property-lines/post/64631-wine-shop-opens-at-prominent-north-side-intersection