April Real Estate News - Mortgage Rates Hit Lowest Point So Far This Year

  If you’ve been holding off on buying a home because of high mortgage rates, you might want to take another look at the market. That’s because mortgage rates have been trending down lately – and that gives you a chance to jump back in. Mortgage rates have been declining for seven straight weeks now, according to  data  from  Freddie Mac . And the average weekly rate is now at the lowest level so far this year ( see graph below ): While that may not sound like a significant shift, it is noteworthy. Because the meaningful drop from over 7% to the mid-6’s can change your mindset when it comes to buying a home. Especially when the  forecasts  said we wouldn’t hit this  number  until roughly  Q3  of this year ( see graph below ): Why Are Rates Coming Down? According to Joel Kan, VP and Deputy Chief Economist at the  Mortgage Bankers Association  (MBA), recent economic uncertainty is playing a role in pushing rates lower: "Mortgage ...

A TO-DO LIST YOU’LL LOVE: JANUARY GARDENING

Ah, a whole year of gardening is ahead of us. January is the best time to pause, reflect and prepare for a year of incredible gardening.
OK, tired of reflecting? Here are a few winter gardening tips to keep you busy this January!


Things to Do in the Garden in January:
Ward off those winter blues with a hearty helping of green, gardening thoughts.  
Dream Big. Plan or rework your garden design. Pin inspiration, flip through gardening magazines and daydream ways to make your garden even better. Illustrate your garden plan to visualize the entire space.
Plan Small. Make a list of organic edible and flower seeds to grow. Get the most of seed starting by growing unique varieties, heirlooms and expensive grocery store plants. See what seeds to start indoors and when to plant them. 
Listen to the Songbirds. Nothing livens up a dreary, wintry day like a flock of fluttering birds. Fill bird feeders with tasty seeds this winter. 
Take a Look. Walk around your home and garden with a notebook. Imagine how you could reduce water usage, recycle more, compost or conserve energy. Each week in January, try one idea to see what works! Start by recycling your Christmas tree.
Clean It Up. Gather your trusty garden tools, and give them a good scrub. Rinse off the dirt, sharpen the blades and rub vegetable oil on the metal. 
  1. Taste Summer Flavors. Get your green thumb back in the potting soil. Start an indoor herb garden to harvest a garden-fresh taste on the coldest winter days. See what herbs do best indoors here.
Here’s to a home filled with fresh herbs, the sweet song of birds and a stack of gardening magazines. January’s looking quite charming after all!
Original article via espoma.com

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