What Is A Mortgage Par Rate And How Does It Work
Think of the par rate as the raw, default rate offered by a lender. It's not the lowest rate you can get, nor is it inflated by any adjustments. Lenders determine the par rate based on a variety of factors, such as current market conditions, your credit score, the loan type, and the loan amount.
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Common Title Issues That Can Delay Your Home Closing
When you're in the final stages of buying a new home, it's easy to assume that everything will go smoothly from here on out. However, one of the most common obstacles that can arise in this final stage of the process is title issues. If not addressed, these can delay your closing or even derail the sale.
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Can I Buy a Duplex with an FHA Loan?
If you're in the market to buy a duplex or similar multi-unit property, you may be wondering whether you can use an FHA loan to finance your purchase. FHA loans are well-known for helping first-time homebuyers, but they can also be used to purchase duplexes. Here's everything you need to know about FHA loans, how they work, and whether they're a good fit for your homebuying plans.
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Top 10 Strategies to Lower Your Mortgage Payments
Lowering your monthly mortgage payment can have a positive impact on your financial health, allowing you to allocate more money toward other needs or savings. Whether you're experiencing financial stress or just want to optimize your budget, exploring ways to reduce your mortgage payment is a smart move.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 21st, 2024
The release of last week's inflation data has left this week with very few significant data updates. The most important information will come from various Federal Reserve members speaking on different topics. They have consistently emphasized that they will closely monitor the data to decide whether further rate cuts are needed in their upcoming rate decision meeting. Much of the market is optimistic that rate cuts will continue. Additionally, several smaller retail sales data releases are expected soon, which will provide insight into the current strength of the economy.
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Is a Cash-Out Refinance the Answer to High Credit Card Bills?
If your credit card debt is piling up, a cash-out refinance could be the solution you need to manage your financial situation. By leveraging the equity in your home, you can consolidate your high-interest debts into a lower-interest mortgage, potentially giving you relief from hefty monthly payments.
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Shared Equity vs. Traditional Loans
When it comes to purchasing a home, most buyers tend to opt for traditional financing methods like Conventional, FHA, or VA loans. These tried-and-true options have been the cornerstone of home financing for decades.
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Understanding the Financial Power of Mortgage Points
In the world of home financing, mortgage points are a powerful yet often misunderstood tool that can significantly impact your long-term financial outlook.
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Where Does the Money for Your Mortgage Loan Really Come From?
If you're considering a mortgage loan, you might wonder where the money actually comes from. It's not as simple as walking into your neighborhood bank and getting a loan directly from their vault, like it used to be decades ago.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 14th, 2024
The CPI and PPI reports delivered their data, showing inflation figures slightly below expectations. However, the positive impact of these reports was tempered by hawkish comments from Federal Reserve members during recent meetings. Despite this, the overall outlook remains optimistic, as further rate cuts are anticipated. Lending partners have also responded positively, significantly lowering their lending rates over the past month.
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Are You In A Position to Cosign on a Loan?
As home prices continue to rise, some buyers may struggle to qualify for a mortgage on their own. In these cases, a mortgage cosigner can be a helpful solution
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What Is A Home Loan Offset Account And How Does It Work?
Looking for ways to reduce the amount of interest you pay on your mortgage and shorten its lifespan? A home loan offset account might be the solution.
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Does Your Home Loan Have a Prepayment Penalty?
Buying a home is a huge milestone, and the excitement of closing can lead many buyers to quickly accept any mortgage offer without fully understanding its terms. One important detail to watch for is whether your mortgage includes a prepayment penalty.
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Consolidate Credit Card Debt with a Cash-Out Refinance
If you're feeling overwhelmed by credit card debt, a cash-out refinance may be an effective way to manage it. This type of mortgage allows you to utilize your home's equity to pay off high-interest credit cards, consolidating them into a single, lower-interest mortgage payment.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 7th, 2024
Last week was a fairly light week, with the non-farm payroll data being the most significant release. The data showed that payrolls are growing at a faster rate than historical trends suggest, which could indicate that inflation is still above the Federal Reserve's target. In contrast, the upcoming week has a busy schedule, with many important economic releases lined up back to back.
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How to Get a Mortgage Without a Credit Score
Getting a mortgage without a credit score may seem like a tough task, but it is possible. Many assume that a credit score is a must, but if you don't have one, you can still pursue your dream of homeownership. Here's how.
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Do VA Entitlements Ever Expire?
The VA home loan program is one of the most valuable benefits offered to those who have served in the U.S. military, providing veterans and active-duty personnel with access to favorable mortgage terms. One common question is whether these VA entitlements ever expire.
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Steps to Take Now to Build Your Credit for a Home Purchase Next Year
If you're thinking about buying a new home next year, there's one important factor to consider before you start browsing listings--your credit score. A strong credit score can make a huge difference in the interest rates you will qualify for and can also determine your mortgage approval.
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How Much Equity Can You Borrow Today?
Your home equity represents one of your most valuable assets. When it comes to borrowing against that equity, many homeowners question how much can they borrow. Understanding the amount of equity you can tap into today is essential, especially if you're considering a home equity loan or line of credit (HELOC) for major expenses like home improvements, debt consolidation, or other financial needs.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – September 30th, 2024
With the release of the PCE Index data, we are seeing the trend hold as inflation continues to slow down. This gives the Federal Reserve room to continue its rate cuts in the future. Following the positive news for inflation data, the GDP has also seen a larger-than-expected growth of 3% this quarter. The only data running against the tide is the Consumer Confidence reports, which reported to show that consumers are at their most anxious since 2021. We should expect a greater impact on the lending and broader markets ahead of the elections.
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