How to Upkeep Your Home with a Year-Round Maintenance Checklist
Your home is more than just a building; it's the setting for your life story. As you plan your monthly calendar, why not include enhancing and maintaining your home? Here, we provide a thorough guide of home maintenance tasks organized into monthly, seasonal, and year-round tips.
Read More
Managing Your Debt During the Homebuying Process: A Guide for Homebuyers
Embarking on the journey to homeownership is an exciting milestone, but it also requires careful financial planning. One crucial aspect is managing your debt effectively. I want to ensure you have the tools and knowledge to navigate this process smoothly.
Read More
How to Unlock Your Home’s Equity with a Cash-Out Refinance
As a homeowner, you might be sitting on a valuable asset without even realizing it--your home equity. Tapping into this equity through a cash-out refinance can open up financial opportunities you hadn't considered. Here's how you can unlock your home's equity with a cash-out refinance and what you need to know before diving in.
Read More
How to Leverage Down Payment Assistance (DPA) Loans for Your Home Purchase
Purchasing a home is a significant milestone, but the process can be intimidating, especially when it comes to saving for a down payment. Fortunately, Down Payment Assistance (DPA) loans offer a solution that can make homeownership more accessible.
Read More
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 29th, 2024
Following the release of the PCE Index figures, which the Federal Reserve prefers as its key inflation metric, the data indicates a slight increase in inflation for the third quarter. Nonetheless, market sentiment remains unchanged, and the prediction that the Federal Reserve is on track to implement rate cuts this year holds firm. Saddled along with the PCE Index, we also have the Personal Income & Spending reports which have indicated the economy is still expanding, and the GDP estimates have also corroborated the reports with their own solid pre-release numbers.
Read More
What’s Changed in the Industry? The Post-COVID Mortgage Landscape
The COVID-19 pandemic reshaped many industries, and the mortgage sector was no exception. As we move further away from the pandemic, the mortgage industry continues to adapt, reflecting new economic realities, regulatory changes, and shifts in consumer behavior.
Read More
Fixed vs. Graduated vs. Interest-Only Mortgage Amortization
When selecting a mortgage, one of the most critical decisions is choosing the right amortization schedule. This choice significantly impacts your monthly payments and the total interest you'll pay over the life of the loan.
Read More
Financing Home Improvements with Renovation Loans
As a mortgage originator, I often encounter homeowners and buyers looking for ways to finance their home improvement projects. Renovation loans offer a fantastic solution, enabling you to upgrade and personalize your home while incorporating the cost into your mortgage.
Read More
The Importance of Employment History in Mortgage Approval and How Job Changes Impact Your Chances
When you're applying for a mortgage, lenders scrutinize several aspects of your financial life to determine your eligibility. One crucial factor that can significantly influence the outcome is your employment history. Consistent and stable employment demonstrates to lenders that you have a reliable income stream, which reduces their risk in lending you money
Read More
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 22nd, 2024
The week after the inflation data reports was expected to be relatively quiet, with the most significant event being a meeting with Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell. He remained tight-lipped about when rate cuts would happen, but given his demeanor, he did not deny that rate cuts were on the way -- simply that he would not indicate when they would arrive. This has only confirmed to lending partners and the broader market that they were right to feel optimistic that rate cuts are possible before the end of the year. There were a few cyclical reports released, with the...
Read More
How to Manage a Mortgage After a Career Change
A career change is usually an exciting journey, it offers new opportunities and growth. It can also bring challenges when you have a mortgage to manage. Balancing a new job and financial commitments can be stressful, but with the right strategies, you can stay on top of your mortgage payments and maintain your financial stability.
Read More
Can You Refinance a Reverse Mortgage Loan?
When you first opted for a reverse mortgage, it might have felt like the perfect solution to tap into your home equity and enjoy your retirement without monthly mortgage payments. As time passes, your financial situation, goals, or the market itself can change, making you wonder:
Read More
Hard Inquiry vs. Soft Inquiry — What’s the Difference?
Most people know that your credit score can drop if you miss a payment or have a new collection filed against you. But how about when you apply for new credit? Yes, a credit application will trigger a "hard inquiry" on your report, which can have an impact on your credit score. Here's what to know about hard inquiries, and how they compare with "soft inquiries."
Read More
Understanding Warrantable vs. Non-Warrantable When Purchasing a Condo
When you're shopping for a condo, there's a bit more on your plate than just the typical homebuying concerns like credit scores, interest rates, and loan programs. A crucial aspect is understanding the role of the Homeowners' Association (HOA) and whether the condo is warrantable or non-warrantable. This distinction can significantly impact your mortgage process and future as a condo owner.
Read More
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 15th, 2024
With lofty expectations, the CPI delivered a lower-than-expected inflation increase, leading to a positive uptake across many lending partners and markets. However, the PPI was on the opposite end of that, with a higher-than-expected inflation rate increase, muting the positive response from the CPI data release.
Read More
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 15th, 2024
With lofty expectations, the CPI delivered a lower-than-expected inflation increase, leading to a positive uptake across many lending partners and markets. However, the PPI was on the opposite end of that, with a higher-than-expected inflation rate increase, muting the positive response from the CPI data release.
Read More
The Difference Between Pending And Contingent Deals
The real estate market can be a bit confusing, especially when you encounter terms like "pending" and "contingent" deals. Understanding these terms is crucial whether you're a buyer or a seller, as they can significantly impact the progression of a property transaction.
Read More
House Hacking Pros And Cons Explained
Have you ever heard of house hacking? It's a real estate strategy that allows you to live in a property while renting out part of it to generate income. This approach helps offset your living expenses and can even pave the way to financial independence. Here's a breakdown of what house hacking entails, along with its benefits and drawbacks.
Read More
Preparing for a Mortgage? 5 Ways to Build Credit Without Credit a History
Building a credit profile from scratch can be a daunting task, especially for those who have no credit history. These individuals, often referred to as having a "thin credit file," face challenges in securing loans, credit cards, or even mortgages.
Read More
Green Mortgages Financing Energy Efficient Homes
A green mortgage is a type of home loan designed to incentivize energy-efficient building practices. These mortgages are specifically tailored for properties that meet certain environmental standards, encouraging homeowners and buyers to consider energy efficiency as a key factor in their purchasing decisions.
Read More