Consumers who were approved for mortgage loans were required by lenders to make down payments equal to 20% of the value of the home they were interested in buying. This helped to solidify the lender’s trust in the buyer and minimize their risk in giving out a loan. With many lenders today, the mandatory 20% [...]
Previously, you could expect a lender to require you to pay up to 20 percent down before they would finance your purchase. These days, this isn't true anymore. From government programs to lenders offering unique financing, you can buy by putting next to nothing down. Many people jump on such financing without asking the fundamental [...]
Some people are interested in buying land instead of an existing home, whether it is the preference of building your dream home or buying property in an area you prefer, when it comes down to financing this endeavor, you may find that obtaining a mortgage loan is more difficult than if you were house-hunting in [...]
Private Mortgage Insurance, also known as PMI, is something that many people don’t want to have (but can’t avoid) and they want to get rid of it as soon as possible, especially since it means that their monthly payment will go down and that they have a sizable amount paid off on their home. Mortgage [...]
Home renovations are something that many long-term homeowners can’t evade, after a time, homes will need major maintenance and updating. Don’t let the costs of such tasks make you feel overwhelmed, there are several mortgage options and mortgage loans that you can request to help pay for home renovations. There are two main options: you [...]
No one ever wants to default on a mortgage because of the consequence attached to it, but being held down by this same mortgage for an extended period is also a burden that everyone wants to get off their shoulders. This is the reason why it is sometimes advised to pay off the mortgage bills [...]
There are indications that the mortgage application volume is currently on the rise. According to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted report, the total mortgage application volume increased 1.6 percent a few weeks ago compared to the other previous weeks. Reports also have it that the interest rates for home loans are climbing again and [...]
One of the most significant and most essential purchases any individual will make in life is buying a home. It often requires a considerable sum of money in the form of mortgage payments, and because of this, the buyer or seller involved needs a safe, tested and secure way via which they can carry out [...]
If you are looking to purchase a new home, there are a lot of exciting things to consider like what your new home will look like. Less exciting for most people is considering what their new mortgage will look like. But if you are getting ready to purchase a new home, it is important for [...]
When it comes to choosing a mortgage loan there is no one size fits all option that works for everyone. Because there are so many factors to consider when choosing the mortgage that is right for you, it can be difficult to know if you are choosing the right one. A professional mortgage broker has [...]
An oil stain will likely be one of the easiest stains to identify on your driveway, sidewalk, or garage floor as it will leave a very dark brown or black colored stain and can range in size from a few small drops to a very large stain. There are many different methods that can be [...]
If you are looking to buy a condo, townhouse, or even a single-family home in a planned community development, chances are you will need to know everything you can about homeowner’s associations before you decide to buy. HOAs are not necessarily a bad thing, but they do come with their own pros and cons and [...]
When purchasing a home many buyers are attracted to recently flipped houses because of their picture-perfect updates. But there are definitely some things you need to pay close attention to when looking at a flipped house. Here’s what to look out for to make sure your newly purchased home doesn’t flip into a nightmare. Hire [...]
Reaching the point of purchasing a home, especially if it is your first home, is typically a time of excitement and joy of reaching a life-long dream. But once you actually begin the process, you realize there is a lot more information involved in the process of buying a home and many terms used throughout [...]
Buying a home is probably one of the largest investments you will ever make, and because it is such a large investment the risk of you defaulting on a mortgage loan is higher than the risk of you defaulting on a smaller loan. Because of the risk involved with such a large investment, your credit [...]
Repairing your credit history and raising your credit score isn’t impossible, but it is important to have realistic expectations with regard to the amount of time it will take to do so. There are some things you can do quickly that will help repair and raise your credit score in a short amount of time [...]
It is suggested that everyone has about three to six months income saved away as a “rainy day” fund, but the average American has far less than this amount saved. According to a recent poll, 57% of American’s have less than $1,000 put away in a savings account! So, what can you do to start [...]
Becoming a first-time homebuyer is an exciting time in your life. This is most likely the biggest and most important buying decision you will make in your life! But with buying your first home you may begin to realize that there are many more costs associated with home ownership than you may have expected. So, [...]
To read part one of this series, click here. To read part two of this series, click here. KNOW WHAT IS REASONABLE TO NEGOTIATE ON So what issues are considered reasonable for the buyer to expect the seller to be willing to negotiate repairs on, and what issues are reasonable for the seller to expect [...]
To read part one of this series, click here. Once you have the home inspection report, it is important to know what your options are in the negotiating process moving forward. There are typically four different ways you can approach negotiations after a home inspection. These options include: Ask the seller to complete necessary repairs. [...]
You are on your path to buying a home and you have reached the point of the home inspection. The home inspection is important because it will let you know of any potential issues the home may have in the future, and any immediate repairs that will be needed. So, who would be responsible for [...]
If you are thinking about selling your home in the near future, there may be a few home improvement projects you want to consider completing before you determine the asking price and list your home for sale. Or maybe you would simply like to make some improvements to your home but don’t have any intentions [...]
Buying a home is a difficult process and there is a lot that goes into it. There is no exception when it comes to the loan approval process. Prior to 2007, it was common for homebuyers to be approved for loans with almost no documentation being provided, and this is often considered the primary catalyst [...]
As technology has continued to improve and expand, our use of technology has also grown and developed overtime. We now use technology in about every facet of our lives and are on some form of social media at least once a day. But did you know you can use the power of social media to [...]
Before you start your house hunt, one question that should come to your mind is, "how much can I afford to buy?" Answering this question is very important to help you make the right choice. You can also narrow down your options when you know how much you can spend on a house. Knowing how [...]
Attaining a mortgage without a full-time job can be challenging, but it is possible. However, because you work as a part-time does not make have fewer rights than your full-time counterparts. Although there is no strict definition of the number of hours a person must work to be considered a part-time worker, there is no [...]
When it comes to home buying and selling it is important for the buyer to know what they need to look for when viewing the home and it is important for the seller to know what potential buyers will be looking for in their home. With home staging becoming more popular it is easier for [...]
Staging is an essential step in the home selling and buying process. A well-staged home is more likely to sell quicker and at a higher price. According to the National Association of Realtors, a staged home will sell for 17% more on average than a non-staged home and 95% of staged homes sell in 11 [...]
If you are thinking about selling your house, there are a few key points to consider before having an open house to encourage a bid on it. Buyers usually have important thoughts and visions before committing to a forever home. Make sure your home is up to code. This could hinder buyers from taking the [...]
What is PMI? When a borrower mаkеѕ a dоwn рауmеnt of lеѕѕ than 20 реrсеnt, the lender requires thе borrower to buу рrivаtе mоrtgаgе insurance, or PMI. Thiѕ рrоtесtѕ thе lender from lоѕing money if the borrower еndѕ up in fоrесlоѕurе. PMI is аlѕо required if a bоrrоwеr rеfinаnсеѕ the mоrtgаgе with lеѕѕ thаn 20 [...]
One of our biggest dreams in life is owning a home. Also, buying a house is never an easy task. The reason why preparation is necessary is because homes are expensive. If you’re planning to buy a home, you must be prepared for the out-of-pocket costs that come with it. Once you complete the gruelling [...]
Veterans of the U.S. Military or National Guard should have the greatest benefits. Their lives have been compromised protecting the country and its citizens. As a way of giving back to them, the government instituted the Veteran Home Loan Program entitling veterans to avail housing without cashing out a single cent from their own pockets [...]
One of the moments that mark an extraordinary passage in one's life is when you are buying your first home. You are progressing from being a renter to being a proud home owner. First time home buyers are often overwhelmed when it comes to all the decisions that have to be made as to [...]
Times are tough for everyone nowadays with home values plummeting, job cuts, and the stock market fluctuating at degrees of absurdity; the last thing a homeowner needs is to be tricked or scammed by a crook. The newest trend in criminal activity toward homeowners is mortgage scam and tricks. This crime is devious, deceptive, and [...]
Purchasing a home is one of the biggest decisions that you will make in your lifetime, so it is important that you do so with the loan that is best for you. There a numerous loans out there, including conventional mortgage loans, and each with its out set of pros and cons. This article will [...]
So, you just found the best home that suits you and your loving family, but you don’t have the down payment? Then you just found the gold mine for you and your family. We are happy to share with you, our new discovery to the NO down payment trend! Trying to save enough for a [...]
Buying your own home rather than renting is everyone's dream these days. But if you have had a financial mishap, such as missed credit payments or debt defaults, it can be challenging to get a loan. Mortgage companies will always check your credit score before they approve any house loans and if you have had [...]
Once you have discovered the house that you want to call home, it is time to decide what type of mortgage option is right for you financially. Buying a new home can be very expensive so choosing the best mortgage loan should be your top priority. Choosing the right mortgage to fit your needs and [...]
A home is a solid investment and one of the most significant that any individual or family can make. Just like any investment, wise and careful planning are the most vital keys to get the most from your investment. If you are a homeowner, then there are many things you can do to improve the [...]
Shopping for the best mortgage rate can be stressful and often, borrowers may feel that they have been lied to when they are not offered the rate that the lender was advertising or that they were expecting to get. However, there is a reason for this. There are ten factors that affect the mortgage rate [...]
