Consumers are more easily living the American Dream of owning a home because of the incredibly low mortgage rates. Today, most buyers can get a much lower rate than their parents or grandparents got on their first home. In a recent housing survey, FNMA released information about consumers’ thoughts on the current market. Almost two-thirds […]
The word describes the process of accounting that will repay a loan over time. Residential buyers will most commonly be required to have an amortized mortgage. When amortizing a fixed rate mortgage, the payment remains constant for the entire term but the allocation of what goes to principal and interest changes with each payment that […]
Paying more for your house payment does not make your home more valuable. It does mean that the mortgage rate may be higher than it has to be. Even though fixed rates may never again be as low as they are currently, an adjustable rate mortgage may provide the lowest cost of ownership depending on […]
Many times, young adults feel “bullet-proof” and don’t consider the urgency to get involved or spend the money to take care of certain legal aspects of their lives because they think they’re going to live forever. Since no one is guaranteed longevity of life, if you want to be in control of who gets what […]
For whatever reason you’ve delayed buying a home, it may be time to reconsider that decision based on today’s conditions and what is expected to happen in the future. Rents are continuing to increase to the point that in most markets, it is significantly less expensive to own than to rent. Even after you factor […]
After you take the training wheels off your bike and learn to ride it, you’d never consider putting them back on again. Similarly, once you’ve owned a home, you might think you’ll own a home from now on but there may be some situations where it might make sense to rent again. Big shifts in […]
Once the kids are grown, have careers, relationships and get a place of their own, parents find that they may not need their “big” home like they did before. Their lifestyle may have changed and the house just doesn’t “fit” anymore. Benefits of a smaller home: Easier to maintain Lower utilities Lower property taxes Lower […]
Buyers with a minimum down payment are generally faced with the decision of whether to get a FHA or a conventional loan. With the new 3% down payment program on conventional loans, it may become more confusing which loan to pursue. The two loan programs have mortgage fees that can differ greatly. FHA has a […]
Finding a mortgage lender is not a problem. Selecting someone who will help you find the best loan product for your situation even if it means sending you to another lender is paramount. There is a huge advantage to be able to sit across the table from someone you’re doing business with and look them […]
Most people’s first introduction to Radon is during the inspections of a home. It can be as much a surprise to a seller as it is a buyer. Radon is an invisible and odor-free, cancer-causing radioactive gas. Radon can get into a home through cracks in solid floors, construction joints, cracks in walls, gaps in […]
