Over the past year, mortgage rates have fallen more than a full percentage point. This is a great driver for homeownership, as today’s low rates provide consumers with some significant benefits. Here’s a look at three of them:
Refinance: If you already own a home, you may want to decide if you’re going to refinance. It’s one way to lock in a lower monthly payment and save substantially over time, but it also means paying upfront closing costs too. You have to answer the question "Should I refinance my home?"
Move-up or Downsize: Another option is to consider moving into a new home, putting the equity you’ve likely gained in your current house toward a down payment on a new one that better meets your needs – something that’s truly a perfect fit for your family.
Become a First-Time Homebuyer: There are many financial and non-financial benefits to owning a home, and the most important thing is to first decide when the time. ...

Around this time each year, many homeowners decide to wait until after the holidays to list their houses. Similarly, others who already have their homes on the market remove their listings until the spring. Let’s unpack the top reasons listing your house now or keeping it on the market this winter may be the best choice you can make.
Here are seven great reasons not to wait:
Relocation buyers are out there now. Many companies are still hiring throughout the holidays, and they need their new employees to start as soon as possible.
Purchasers who are looking for homes during the holidays are serious buyers and are ready to buy now.
You can restrict the showings on your home to days and times that are most convenient for you. You will remain in control.
Homes show better when decorated for the holidays.
There is minimal competition for you as a seller right now. Over the past few months we’ve seen the supply of homes for sale decreasing year-over-year, as shown in the 0 ...

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Still trying to figure out what to make for that upcoming Thanksgiving feast?  PRG agent Kelley Snyder found a unique yet simple pumpkin flavored recipe and she couldn't keep it to herself!  One could go as far as saying this dessert is "the bomb diggity".  Okay, maybe that was too far.  Either way, here it is!

Pumpkin Pie Bombs
Ingredients
1 cup pumpkin puree
3 ounces cream cheese, softened
1 large egg
2/3 cup granulated sugar, divided
3 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, divided
1 teaspoons pure vanilla extract
Pinch kosher salt
3 (8 ounce) tubes refrigerated crescent rolls
2 tablespoons melted butter
1/3 cup powdered sugar
1 tablespoon milk

Directions
Preheat oven to 375.  Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
In a large bowl using a hand mixer, mix pumpkin, cream cheese, egg, 1/3 cup sugar, 2 teaspoons pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla.  Mix until smooth and season with a punch of salt.
Unroll one tube crescent d ...

In a recent article, First American shared how millennials are not really any different from previous generations when it comes to the goal of homeownership; it's still a huge part of their American Dream. The piece, however, also reveals,
 “Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest obstacles faced by first-time home buyers. Dispelling the 20 percent down payment myth could open the path to homeownership for many more.”
 Myth #1: “I Need a 20% Down Payment”
Buyers often overestimate how much they need to qualify for a home loan. According to the same article:
“Americans still overestimate the qualifications needed to get a mortgage, resulting in qualified potential buyers not even considering homeownership. Indeed, the Urban Institute report revealed that 16 percent of consumers believed that the minimum down payment required by lenders is 20 percent or more, and another 40 percent didn’t know at all.”
While many p! ...

Home Hazards 101
Keep yourself and your family safe by ensuring the home is free of these 5 hazards every home owner - or prospective buyer - should be aware of.

1. Radon
A colorless, odorless gas that can seep into your home from the ground, radon is often referred to as the second most common cause of lung cancer behind smoking.
What to look for: Basements or any area with protrusions into the ground offer entry points for radon. The Environmental Protection Agency publishes a map of high-prevalence areas.  A radon test can determine if high levels are present.

2. Asbestos
A fibrous material once popular as fire-resistant insulation, asbestos was banned in 1985.  However, it's often been found in the building materials, floor tiles, roof covering, and siding of older structures. If disturbed or damaged, it can enter the air and cause severe illness.
What to look for: Homes built prior to 1985 are at risk of having asbestos in their construction materials.   ...