Consumer confidence in housing is on the rise, reaching an all-time-high. According to Fannie Mae’s National Housing Survey for October 2014, 45% of survey participants believe that they will be more financially secure within the next year. Many of the participants also expect the economy to improve, and 44% expect housing prices to jump and believe now is prime time to sell. The chief economist at Fannie Mae, Doug Duncan said, “consumers are growing more optimistic about the housing market in the face of broader improvement in economic sentiment.” More here

The National Association of Home Builders/First American Leading Markets Index (LMI) reports the housing market continues to make successful strides toward recovery. The U.S. housing market reached 90% of its normal economic housing activity last quarter, up 1% from the second quarter of 2014. Positive recovery is expected to maintain gradual growth. Kevin Kelly,  the NAHB Chairman said, “continued job creation, economic growth and increasing consumer confidence should help spur pent-up demand for housing.” More here

According to Freddie Mac’s most recent Primary Mortgage Market survey, mortgage rates increased for the second week in a row. The survey reports that the 30-year fixed-rate mortgage jumped over 4%, coming in at 4.02% averaged nationally while the 15-year fixed-rate mortgage also increased 0.8%, and averaged 3.21% nationally. Additionally, the national averages for the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage increased to 2.97% and the 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM averaged 2.45%. More here

According to a survey that involved 2,000 home-buyers, 80% said they regretted at least one thing about their house, post-purchase. The study found that the number-one complaint was that the home was too small. Following close behind, the main regrets were, lack of closet space and not enough bathrooms. Experts have given a few tips to help you be sure you are making the right choice when buying a home, here. 

Sealing your asphalt driveway is a necessary preventative measure to ensure protection from water. Cracks and potholes from water damage can result in expensive repairs. Here are a few tips for applying asphalt sealant: When sealing your driveway, make sure there is no expectation of rain for up to 72 hours after application. Also, the ground temperature must be above 45 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid coming into contact with sealant and avoid vapor inhalation. Clean off the surface of the asphalt with detergent and rinse well before you begin. When finished, allow time for the sealant dry completely. Apply the sealant in thin layers, and try to work on one small section at a time. Finally, the sealant will take approximately 24 hours to dry, do not drive or walk on the driveway during this time. More here

According to Black Knight Financial Services, as many as 25% of American borrowers with 30-year mortgages could benefit from refinancing their homes. Trey Barns, the senior vice president of Loan Data Products for Black Knight Financial Services said, “before the most recent reductions in the average 30-year mortgage interest rate, approximately six million borrowers met broad-based ‘refinancibility’ criteria. These criteria assume loan-to-value ratios of 80% or below, good credit, non-delinquent loan status and current interest rates high enough that borrowers have an incentive to refinance.” More here

Reverse mortgages have begun to gain more positive attention as new laws make the option more attractive to both borrowers and loan officers. In the past, there were some concerns, but now that new laws protect the borrower, the option has become safer, and ultimately, more appealing. Reverse mortgages have ensured that many older Americans can stay in their homes by tapping into their home equity, and it’s overall popularity is rising. Many experts are now promoting reverse mortgages to older individuals as a way to escape financial hardship. More here 

Insurance payments can be burdensome, but they are a necessity for you, your family, and your home. A few things you can do to help reduce your insurance costs are: Don’t switch companies too often, this may help reduce your payments or provide you with free credit from companies who reward for loyalty. Shop around for the best prices; check out comparison sites on the internet. Have plenty of smoke alarms throughout the house, and a burglar alarm to reinforce the fact that you are low-risk. Don’t be afraid to ask about discounts, you may be surprised by special perks. Bundling can sometimes reduce costs, consider bundling your auto and home insurance together for a discount. Also, maintain a good credit score, and if your score is low, take steps to improve it. More here

Garage doors get a great deal of use and require special care to continue working properly. A few things you can do to keep your garage door well maintained are: Check all components of your door to make sure they are functioning correctly. Look for broken or bent pieces that may need repair. Lubricate the axles and rails and be sure they are in place and tight. If adjusting the sensitivity of your door, be certain the setting is in accordance with the manual. The weather sealant should be intact and free from cracks. You can also wash your garage door with car wax to control dirt and extra moisture. More here

According to recent data, foreclosure inventory in the United States declined this month, falling to the lowest level seen since February of 2008. There are currently around 893,000 loans in or starting the foreclosure process, down 435,000 from this time last year, and a 3.9% decrease from last month. Additionally, seriously delinquent loan inventory, mortgages 90 days late or more, has also decreased by 25,000, the lowest rate since August of 2008. More here