What’s a rule of thumb to determine how much mortgage you can afford? There’s no one rule, but these four tips will tell you. Home ownership should make you feel safe and secure, and that includes financially. Be sure you can afford your home by calculating how much of a mortgage you can safely fit […]
4 Tips to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford Read More »
Their agent won’t have to say, “Picture this.” Buyers will see your home at its best. Staging your house can make you money. Twenty-three percent of sellers’ agents reported that a well-staged environment increases the dollar value buyers are willing to offer, according to the National Association of REALTORS® “2021 Profile of Home Staging.” Impact
81 Home Staging Tips That Help Buyers Fall in Love Read More »
You can refinance or recast your mortgage. Or you can create your own DIY mortgage restructuring plan. We compare so you can decide. The way your mortgage is structured today doesn’t have to be the way it’s structured tomorrow. What are your goals? To free up funds, reduce your monthly nut, or pay off your
3 Ways to Restructure Mortgage and Save Thousands Read More »
Private mortgage insurance is unavoidable for some homeowners, but don’t pay PMI premiums a day longer than required by your lender. Private mortgage insurance provides protection to a lender in case you default on your home loan. Unless you make a 20% downpayment on a house, you’ll most likely be required to purchase PMI. PMI
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How to figure out exactly what you want, and how to work with the experts who’ll help you get it. Selling, a famous salesman once said, is essentially a transfer of feelings. You love and cherish your home. You want the next owner to fall in love with it, too — through photos, through words,
The Everything Guide to Selling Your First Home Read More »
Having a second mortgage or home equity line can make refinancing an underwater mortgage nearly impossible, but one of these five strategies might bail out your refinance. The mortgage market is awash in programs to help underwater homeowners refinance, but if you have a second mortgage or a home equity line that’s causing you to
Underwater with Two Mortgages? Here are 5 Ways to Refinance Read More »
Home buyers who do mortgage loan shopping can avoid leaving money on the table. Whether you’re shopping for new bed sheets or a new car, the drill is usually the same. Hit the reviews, check with friends, and scope out the best deal. After all, who wants to buy a car that racks up repair
How to Shop Around for a Mortgage Loan Read More »
They can slash your down payment, offer lower interest rates, or help with low credit scores. Coming up with a down payment for your first house can be tough. You’ve probably heard the standard down payment is 20%. So, you’d have to come up with $75,000 to put down on a house that sells for
First-Time Home Buyer Programs Read More »
Make sure you do a walk-thru — and double-check the numbers because mistakes do happen. You’ve already cleared several hurdles by finding the right home, negotiating the best price, and getting approved for a mortgage. The last obstacle on your home buying track is the closing, which can be both tedious and tense. By knowing
7 Things New Homeowners Must Do Before Closing on a Mortgage Read More »
Tips for shopping around for a mortgage — even if you think you don’t qualify. Think you’re not ready to unlock home ownership yet? That the financial hurdles too high? You may be short-changing yourself. Many of the things renters believe about home-buying are myths. Here’s the real deal. Myth: I Have to Put Down 20%. Saving
“I Need 20% Down” and Other Home-Buying Myths About Mortgages Read More »
Whether you’re self-employed or applying for an FHA or USDA loan, here’s the pre-approval paperwork you need. If you’re serious about buying a home, getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a critical step. It’s also a tedious one. Lenders seem to want a mountain of documents and have so many requirements. Yet the payoff is worth it. Most
Documents You Need for Mortgage Pre-Approval: A Checklist for Each Type of Loan Read More »
Virtual steps in home buying can save time, but learn how to get the whole picture. The COVID pandemic hasn’t stopped people from buying houses. But it has changed how buyers view homes, with technology sometimes replacing the in-person experience. To help keep everyone safer and comply with state and local guidance, agents are using virtual home showings,
What to Expect from Virtual House Tours, Staging, and Showings Read More »
It’s not just whether you pay your bills on time that matters. This article was contributed by financial expert and blogger Mary Beth Storjohann, CFP, author, speaker, and founder of Workable Wealth. She provides financial coaching for individuals and couples in their 20s to 40s across the country, helping them make smart, educated choices with
What to Know About Your Credit Before Buying a Home Read More »
It’s a big decision with a lot of factors, but don’t worry — you have backup. Everything has value. Especially your home. And when it comes to selling your home, assigning a price to that value is complicated. You made memories there. You’ve got a major financial interest in the place, too. Buyers think of
The Ins and Outs of Setting a Price for Your Home Read More »
Someone out there wants to help save you time, stress, and money. Here’s how you find them. Everyone in the market for a house has different wants — pre-war charm, a lush backyard, a welcoming front door in Pantone Ultra Violet, perhaps — but at the end of the day, they all share a need
Before You Choose a Mortgage Lender, Read These Tips Read More »