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Current news on the housing market, including articles on home trends, home buying, home selling, and homeowner advice.
What is Mortgage Escrow?
First-time home buyers can sometimes feel like lenders are speaking a different language. Find out what mortgage escrow is, how it is calculated, and why you might want to take advantage of it. There’s definitely a learning curve when it comes to buying your first home. Realtors, lenders, and mortgage brokers can sometimes assume you…
Should You Get A Pre-Approval For Your Mortgage?
You are ready to take the plunge into home ownership. You’ve already started browsing the home listing websites and have put together your “must have” list. But if you are like many first-time home buyers, you may not have thought that much about your mortgage. Find out why getting pre-approval now is a good idea, and what…
5 Tips to Help First-Time Homebuyers Get Ahead
Thinking about buying a house? First-time homebuyers face a daunting task when it comes financing their starter homes. Here are some tips to help the process run smoothly. 1. Start Planning Early Don’t wait until your lease is up to decide whether you plan on buying a home. A person’s home is often the single…
What To Do Before Applying for Mortgage First Approval
Getting Mortgage First approval is the first formal step toward buying a home. But there are plenty of things you can do to be ready even before you complete an application. By being prepared before you talk to a mortgage loan officer, you can make the process faster and easier. Look At Your Credit History…
5 Reasons To Refinance Your Mortgage, and 1 Reason Not To
Does it make sense to refinance your mortgage? How do you know if a re-fi loan is right for you? Here are 5 things to think about if you are ready to make a change, and one thing to watch out for. 1. Lock In Your Interest Rate Some home financing options, including home equity loans,…
Weigh Your Mortgage Options Through an Independent Broker
There is no one mortgage solution that works for everyone. But if you go directly to the bank, you may leave some options on the table. Find out how an independent broker can help you weigh all your mortgage options and find the one that is best for you. Why Use a Broker? The simple…
VA Loans: What Military Families Need to Know
Military families have a lot on their plate. Whether you or your spouse is on active duty or in the reserves, the demands of serving your country can make getting and keeping home financing a challenge. VA loans can help. VA Loans Save Military Families Money and Trouble Home purchase and refinancing loans backed by…
New Build Construction Lending: You Do Have Options
When you are looking to build, the last thing you want standing between you and your dream home is a bank. New build construction loans can sometimes be difficult, but you do have options to get the money you need to build your next home. Traditional Construction Loans Before the recession, construction loans were a tool home…
Refinance or Home Equity Loan: Which One Works for You?
When your mortgage doesn’t match your financial situation it can cause a lot of stress. You don’t need to be trapped with a high-interest or variable-rate mortgage when there are other options available. But which one should you choose? Is it better to refinance your mortgage or take out a home equity loan? Not everyone…
5 First-Time Building Mistakes to Avoid
Designing your own home can be exciting, but it’s a lot more work than buying an existing house. With so many moving pieces involved, knowing what works and what doesn’t is key. Protect your home’s long-term value by sidestepping these five avoidable pitfalls of building a new home. 1. Forgetting About Storage SpaceFrom seasonal items…