Once you’re in the market to buy a home, you’re going to notice every little thing you hear about the housing market. It could be on the TV, a headline or article online, friends, family, coworkers — everyone has an opinion on how the real […]
5 financial benefits to owning your home instead of renting
Owning a home has great financial benefits. In a recent research paper titled “Homeownership and the American Dream,” Laurie S. Goodman and Christopher Mayer of the Urban Land Institute explained: “Homeownership appears to help borrowers accumulate housing and non-housing wealth in a variety of ways, […]
Your FICO score and how it affects your mortgage
Are you about to apply for a mortgage loan in order to buy a home? If so, you may be curious about your FICO credit score and how this might affect your financing. Here’s a look at how FICO scores can affect your mortgage and […]
‘Distressed’ properties: Foreclosures, REO’s, Short Sales
A “Distressed” property is the industry term encompassing foreclosures, bank owned (REO) and short sales. Many people think that going after foreclosures is a good way of getting a good deal. It can be. But it can also be a risky purchase, and tough to […]
What’s the latest on mortgage interest rates?
Mortgage rates have fallen by over a full percentage point since the 4th quarter of 2018, settling at near historic lows. This is big news for buyers looking to get more for their money in the current housing market. According to Freddie Mac’s Primary Mortgage […]
Want to build wealth? Buy a home — and buy it early
It’s safe to assume that pretty much everyone wants to build wealth — and continue to build wealth throughout their life. But how, exactly, do you do that? According to the data, you build wealth by buying real estate — and buying it early. According […]
Are mortgage myths holding you back from buying a home?
A recent survey from Fannie Mae finds that a huge percentage of Americans are overestimating what it takes to secure a mortgage — and those misconceptions about mortgage qualifications could be holding people back from purchasing their dream home. Fannie Mae’s survey aimed at exploring […]
7 things to avoid after applying for a mortgage
Congratulations! You’ve found a home to buy and have applied for a mortgage! You’re undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to decorate your new home. But before you make any big purchases, move any money around, or make any big-time life changes, consult your loan officer. […]
4 hidden costs of not owning your own home
There’s no arguing there’s costs associated with owning a home. But the opposite is also true; there are also definite costs associated with NOT owning a home. The benefits of buying vs. renting has always been a hotly debated topic, with most people believing that […]
Buying a home is now 26.3% cheaper than renting
The results of the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia show that home ownership remains cheaper than renting, with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage, in 98 of the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. It’s no surprise, however, that the two […]
