Mortgage Tips

Oct. 12, 2024

How to Calculate Your Home Equity and Tap Into Its Value

Home equity is a powerful financial tool for homeowners. It can be used to renovate your home, pay off debt, cover education costs, start a business, or fund almost any other expense.

Before you can leverage this asset, you need to know how much equity you have. This amount, along ...

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Posted in Mortgage Tips
Sept. 24, 2024

Three Key Steps to Master Homeownership While Self-Employed

Purchasing a home while self-employed may seem like a challenging feat. After all, the ebb and flow of income can make mortgage lenders hesitant compared to a consistent paycheck. However, it's far from impossible. Freelancers and small business owners can absolutely secure the home of their dreams with a ...

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Sept. 20, 2024

A Complete Guide to Understanding Mortgage Interest

Securing a mortgage involves repaying the lender for the funds borrowed, typically accompanied by interest charges. Various factors, including credit score, income, loan amount, and broader economic conditions, influence mortgage rates. Here is a detailed breakdown of how mortgage interest functions and its implications on different types of loans.

What ...

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Posted in Mortgage Tips
Sept. 7, 2024

The Four C’s of Credit: How Lenders Qualify You for a Mortgage

Qualifying for a mortgage is one of the most crucial steps in the homebuying journey, and it can often seem overwhelming. However, by understanding the four C’s of credit that lenders focus on, you can navigate this process more smoothly and increase your chances of success.

What Are the Four ...

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Posted in Mortgage Tips
Sept. 4, 2024

Understanding the Settlement Statement in Real Estate

In the realm of real estate transactions, the once-familiar "settlement statement" has evolved into what is now referred to as a "closing disclosure." However, the older term is still used in some circles, so it is essential to be acquainted with both as you navigate your mortgage loan closing. A ...

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Aug. 28, 2024

Fed Chair Jerome Powell Signals the Start of Interest Rate Cuts After 23-Year High

At long last, “the time has come” for interest rate cuts. On Friday, August 23rd, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell offered a glimmer of hope to prospective homebuyers and sellers.

Speaking at the Federal Reserve’s annual symposium held in Grand Teton National Park, Jackson Hole, WY, Powell remarked, “We do ...

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Aug. 10, 2024

A Guide to Home Equity Loans and HELOCs

Securing a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit (HELOC) can be a strategic move to finance significant projects or expenses, using your home as collateral. Often dubbed "second mortgages," these financial instruments operate similarly to a mortgage but involve distinct closing costs. In this article, we ...

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Posted in Mortgage Tips
July 29, 2024

Exploring Down Payment Assistance: How It Functions and Ways to Secure It

A significant percentage of prospective homeowners believe that accumulating enough savings for a down payment is an insurmountable hurdle. However, there are numerous forms of down payment assistance available, spanning various amounts, to help bridge this gap. Let's delve into these options and understand how to qualify for them ...

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July 18, 2024

Strategies to Reduce Your Mortgage Payment

For many, the mortgage payment stands as the most substantial monthly expense. When finances are tight, this obligation can strain budgets, limiting flexibility for other essential expenditures. Even if comfortably manageable, exploring avenues to alleviate this financial burden can be prudent.

While mortgage payments are typically deemed fixed, avenues exist ...

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Posted in Mortgage Tips
June 20, 2024

Understanding Mortgage Rate Locks

Securing a mortgage rate lock is like safeguarding your financial future when embarking on the journey of homeownership. By locking in your interest rate, you ensure that it remains unchanged from the time of agreement to the closing date, provided there are no alterations to your application. Let’s delve deeper ...

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