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Schmidt Mortgage Company Blog

Existing-Home Sales Rise for the First Time in Six Months

By on November 26, 2018   /   Mortgage Industry  

After six straight months of declines, the number of existing-home sales crept back up in October, according to the latest data from The National Association of Realtors® (NAR). Total existing-home sales are defined as completed transactions that include singe-family homes, townhomes, condominiums and co-ops that are already built; i.e., not new construction. The number of these home sales increased 1.4 percent from September to a seasonally adjusted rate of 5.22 million last month. Sales remain lower on a year-over-year basis with sales down 5.1 percent. What’s behind the trend? NAR’s Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says greater housing inventory has brought more

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Pending Home Sales See Slight Improvement in September

By on November 5, 2018   /   Real Estate  
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Pending home sales increased 0.5 percent in September with substantial gains in both the West and Midwest regions, according to the latest information from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). The Pending Home Sales Index (PHSI), a forward-looking indicator based on contract signings, increased 0.5 percent to 104.6 in September from 104.1 in August. Despite the small month-over-month improvement, contact signings continued to drop on an annual basis. September marked the ninth consecutive month of annual declines. NAR Chief Economist Lawrence Yun says that although we’re seeing year-over-year decreases, the latest monthly gain indicates a good, stabilizing trend. “This shows that

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What is a Mortgage Escrow Account and Why is it Needed?

By on October 28, 2018   /   Home Buying  
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When you buy a home using a mortgage, an escrow account is usually set up by your lender in order to help manage your property tax and insurance costs. Rather than having to save up and pay these bills separately, part of your mortgage payment is deposited into the escrow account every month. When your insurance premiums and taxes are due, they can be paid via the escrow account. Normally, your lender will use the funds in the escrow account to pay these bills on your behalf. Escrow Shortages It’s not uncommon for property taxes and insurance premiums to change over time,

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Rocky River

20545 Center Ridge Road
Suite 250
Rocky River, OH 44116
Phone: (440) 356-3242
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