By: d-mars.com News Provider StatePoint Running a small business is one of the most challenging journeys you can embark on, according to those in the know. “Being a small business owner within an ever-changing landscape can feel intimidating without support,” says Michelle Van Slyke, senior vice president of sales and marketing at The UPS Store,…
By: d-mars.com News Provider BrandPoint The YORK brand of Johnson Controls, the global leader for smart, healthy and sustainable buildings, has compiled six proven tips to help homeowners reduce cooling bills this spring and summer as energy costs nationwide remain above pre-pandemic rates. The Energy Information Administration (EIA) estimates that home cooling accounts for 12%…
By: d-mars.com News Provider BrandPoint There comes a time when every homeowner looks around at their house and ponders a few upgrades. Sometimes, those ideas turn into full-on renovations as you reimagine your space to better meet your lifestyle. But before you start calling contractors, ask yourself: Does remodeling make financial sense? Here are three…
Black Knight is a data and analytics company that drives innovation in the mortgage lending and servicing in real estate industries. The data and analytics division of Black Knight, Inc. (NYSE: BKI) released its latest Mortgage Monitor report, based on the company’s industry-leading mortgage, real estate and public records data sets. A modest rise in…
Initiatives have been passed by Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner and City Council in support of creating more affordable housing projects, in alignment with the affordability objectives that will span over 40 years by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. This flexible roadmap to homeownership is tailored specifically for households earning 120% or below…
by d-mars.com News Provider Whether you’re putting down roots or putting your home on the market, kitchen upgrades make a huge impact. Not only do they have daily “good feeling” appeal for current homeowners, they can offer a great return on investment when it’s time to sell. So it’s no surprise that kitchens were the…
By Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association Before even starting to search for your dream home, get pre-approved or pre-qualified for a mortgage to know your limits and the best type of financing available. With the current limited supply of homes on the market and the multiple offers many properties draw,…
by d-mars.com News Provider Owning a home is the cornerstone of the American dream. There’s nothing like having a permanent plot of land you can call your own. But, if you’ve hit a rough patch with your credit score, this dream might feel like it’s out of reach. However, finding a suitable mortgage with a…
By Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association If you plan to buy a home or condominium this year, keep in mind that the property may be governed by a homeowners association, or HOA. More than 63 million people live within communities that are overseen by HOAs, according to the Community Associations…
By d-mars.com News Provider Approximately 35 million Americans move every year. But unlike most times when homeowners largely change addresses within the same city or county, 2020 saw a sharp increase in relocations between 50 to 500 miles away. “The pandemic has opened the eyes to many that they can effectively work remotely. Thus, homeowners…
Owning a home has long been an aspiration for many people across America, and one of the most effective ways to build generational wealth. Yet, due to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and housing affordability concerns, including the lack of affordable housing supply, homeownership may seem out of reach for…
by d-mars.com News Provider Thinking of remodeling your home? From safety and security to product and contractor selection, there are many factors to consider. Follow these eight remodeling tips to help minimize hassles during a renovation: Bottom line: working with reputable professionals makes all the difference in the quality of the work and the materials…
By Chuck Bishop, Head of Diverse Segments for Wells Fargo Home Lending Despite ongoing challenges due to the pandemic, Black Americans joined the many homebuyers looking for a space to call their own during the past year. But even against that backdrop, the homeownership gap for the Black community remains significant, and concerns remain about…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association If you are setting your sights on buying a home or condominium, keep in mind that the property may be governed by a homeowners association (HOA). More than 63 million people live within communities that are overseen by HOAs, according to the…
More veterans are taking advantage of an important benefit for service members: A Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 1.4 million VA loans were taken out in 2021, a 15.6% increase from the previous year. However, there are still many veterans who are not using this…
Evictions have been front-page news during the pandemic, and for a good reason. At the start of the pandemic, the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that without assistance, 30 to 40 million Americans would be in danger of eviction by the end of that year. It’s a heart-wrenching situation, which was largely avoided through…
Owning a home has long been an aspiration for many people across America, and one of the most effective ways to build generational wealth. Yet, due to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and housing affordability concerns, including the lack of affordable housing supply, homeownership may seem out of reach for…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association Whew. The buyer and seller both signed the contract, so that’s it, right? The house is sold, and everyone moves on. Not so fast. There’s still a long way to go. Unfortunately, sometimes real estate transactions that start out smoothly can unravel…
If you dream of homeownership, having your mortgage application denied can be devastating. If this does happen to you, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Thirteen percent of all purchase mortgage applications — a total of nearly 650,000 — were denied in 2020, according to federal government data. Before quickly reapplying for a…
Bank of America announced a new zero down payment, zero closing cost mortgage solution for first-time homebuyers, which will be available in designated markets, including certain African American and Hispanic neighborhoods in Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Miami. According to a news release, the Community Affordable Loan Solution aims to help eligible individuals and…