Entries by John Freeland

Unconventional Mortgages Attract Warning From Regulator

September 4, 2019 in /by

By Lalita Clozel posted Sep 2, 2019 on realtor.com LightFieldStudios/iStock WASHINGTON—A type of unconventional mortgage that focuses on a borrower’s assets to vet repayment ability has drawn a warning from regulators for banks to maintain tight underwriting standards. Asset-depletion loans, also known as asset-dissipation loans, are part of a small but growing subset of the mortgage market […]

What Is a Homestead Exemption? Protecting the Value of Your Home

August 22, 2019 in /by

By Terri Williams posted Aug 21, 2019 on www.realtor.com alexsl/iStock Owning a home is likely your biggest asset, but also your biggest expense. Between the mortgage, insurance, unexpected repairs like roof damage, property taxes, and possibly homeowners association fees, your home can take a big chunk out of your wallet. But fortunately, a homestead exemption can provide a degree of […]

124 Apartments Delivering in Downtown Silver Spring this October

August 21, 2019 in /by

By Nena Perry Brown posted August 21st, 2019 on dc.urbanturf.com Rendering inside unit. Click to enlarge. Another 124 rental units are on the cusp of delivering at the Fenton Silver Spring. The development at 900 Thayer Avenue (map) will contain 5,500 square feet of ground-floor retail or restaurant space. Forty of the units are set aside for households […]

Arlington and Alexandria Most Competitive Housing Markets Nationwide, Per Report

August 21, 2019 in /by

By Nena Perry Brown posted August 19th, 2019 on dc.urbanturf.com Map of the areas impacted by the HQ2 effect, courtesy of Redfin. Click to enlarge. In case you needed more evidence of the Amazon effect in northern Virginia, look no further. Redfin’s most recent ranking of the nation’s most competitive housing markets places both Arlington and Alexandria at the top of the […]

Housing Supply Not Keeping Up with Population Increase

August 20, 2019 in /by

By SimplifyingTheMarket Staff posted August 20th, 2019 on simplifyingthemarket.com Many buyers are wondering where to find houses for sale in today’s market. It’s a true dilemma. We see an increase in buyer demand, but the supply available for purchase isn’t keeping up.   The number of new housing permits issued prior to the great recession […]

The Benefits of Growing Equity in Your Home

August 20, 2019 in /by

By SimplifyingTheMarket Staff posted August 14th, 2019 on simplifyingthemarket.com  Over the last couple of years, we’ve heard quite a bit about rising home prices. Today, expert projections still forecast continued growth, just at a slower pace. One of the often-overlooked benefits of rising home prices is the positive impact they have on home equity. Let’s break […]

Developers Want To Sell Site Approved for Building Near Walter Johnson High

August 15, 2019 in /by

By Caitlynn Peetz posted August 15th, 2019 on bethesdamagazine.com Project allowed to proceed before moratorium took effect Pooks Hill apartments site RENDERING VIA CBRE The owners of property near Walter Johnson High School are selling the property, marketing it as one of the few Bethesda development projects allowed to proceed during a residential building freeze. […]

The Benefits of Growing Equity in Your Home

August 14, 2019 in /by

By SimplifyingTheMarket Staff posted  August 14th, 2019  on simplifyingthemarket.com Over the last couple of years, we’ve heard quite a bit about rising home prices. Today, expert projections still forecast continued growth, just at a slower pace. One of the often-overlooked benefits of rising home prices is the positive impact they have on home equity. Let’s break down […]

What Is Fair Market Value? How Much a Home Is Really Worth

August 14, 2019 in /by

By Kimberly Dawn Neumann posted Aug 12, 2019 on www.realtor.com StockFinland/iStock Whether you’re buying or selling a home, one question that’s always front and center is the price: How much is a home worth? That’s a tricky question to answer, but probably the best starting point is to know a home’s fair market value, or FMV. A home’s fair market […]