Monthly Archives: January 2014

Fixed Mortgage Rates Start the Year Higher | Bedford NY Real Estate

Freddie Mac (OTCQB: FMCC) today released the results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey® (PMMS®), showing average fixed mortgage rates continuing to edge higher as we enter the new year.

News Facts
•30-year fixed-rate mortgage (FRM) averaged 4.53 percent with an average 0.8 point for the week ending January 2, 2014, up from last week when it averaged 4.48 percent. A year ago at this time, the 30-year FRM averaged 3.34 percent.

•15-year FRM this week averaged 3.55 percent with an average 0.7 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.52 percent. A year ago at this time, the 15-year FRM averaged 2.64 percent.

•5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM) averaged 3.05 percent this week with an average 0.4 point, up from last week when it averaged 3.00 percent. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 2.71 percent.

•1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.56 percent this week with an average 0.5 point, unchanged from last week. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 2.57 percent.

Average commitment rates should be reported along with average fees and points to reflect the total upfront cost of obtaining the mortgage. Visit the following links for the Regional and National Mortgage Rate Details and Definitions. Borrowers may still pay closing costs which are not included in the survey.

Quotes
Attributed to Frank Nothaft, vice president and chief economist, Freddie Mac.

“Mortgage rates edged up to begin the year on signs of a stronger economic recovery. The pending home sales index inched up 0.2 percent in November, after five consecutive months of decline. The Conference Board reported that confidence among consumers rose in December and the S&P/Case-Shiller® 20-city composite house price index rose 13.6 percent over the 12-months ending in October 2013.”

What a midsize home costs in 15 cities | Bedford Hills Real Estate

We can envision a tiny house or a sprawling mansion. But how big, exactly, is a “midsize” home?

According to the latest available data (PDF) from the Census Bureau, the median size for a U.S. single-family house is 2,306 square feet. This means that half of all homes in the country are smaller than this size, and half are larger.

What this kind of home costs, however, varies greatly by city.

Here’s a look at homes for sale that are at or near the median home size in 15 parts of the country.

http://realestate.msn.com/what-a-midsize-home-costs-in-15-cities

DIY Center: Projects Are Calling | Bedford Corners NY Homes

Organizational shoe-in

Finding the right organization and storage solutions for your home can be hard. But making your own is much easier than you’d think! These 38 DIY organizing ideas may inspire you.

Don’t you just love it when a storage solution that is ideal for one type of organization turns out to be equally useful for another? Hang a clear shoe organizer on your pantry door, label the pockets with colorful tags, and use them to store a variety of kitchen utensil and supplies. You’ll find it’s a perfect fit.

http://living.msn.com/home-decor/diy-center-projects-are-calling/slideshow?cp-documentid=259178005

Major snowstorm coming; up to 8 inches expected; schools dismissing early | Armonk NY Homes

The region’s worst storm so far this winter is expected to bear down Thursday with up to 8 inches of snow, with near-blizzard conditions forecast to kick up as soon as the evening rush hour.

Officials are encouraging commuters to take public transportation and consider leaving work early, as heavy snow and strong winds are expected from Thursday night into Friday.

The storm also will bring with it the possibility of even more of a holiday break for students after the traditional Christmas-to-New Year stretch. Half of the 54 school districts in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam were scheduled to resume classes Thursday; some schools will dismiss students early on Thursday and Lakeland schools are closed. List:

http://lohud.com/schoolclosings

A winter storm warning is in effect from 4 a.m. Thursday until 1 p.m. Friday for northern Westchester, Putnam and Rockland, and from 6 p.m. Thursday until 1 p.m. Friday for southern Westchester, the National Weather Service said Wednesday

Light snow started falling in parts of Westchester, Rockland and Putnam counties before dawn on Thursday, and it could be followed by a few inches during the day. The bulk of the snow is expected Thursday night into Friday. Winds could be close to 30 miles per hour after midnight Thursday. Friday’s high will be near 13 degrees and blustery winds will make it feel like below zero.

The National Weather Service is calling for total accumulations of 6 to 8 inches in Westchester, Rockland and Putnam. Map: Projected snowfall totals:

http://1.usa.gov/1gKMOXe