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3 Considerations When Making A Down Payment

When considering the journey of purchasing a new home, one of the fundamental decisions you'll encounter revolves around determining the appropriate amount of money to allocate for your down payment. It's a decision-making process that involves weighing the benefits of opting for a larger down payment against the potential advantages of utilizing some of those funds to purchase "discount points," thereby reducing your interest rate.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 8th, 2024

With the upcoming CPI and PPI reports this week, last week still had a number of important data points to consider. First, the non-farm payroll data, helping reveal the situation of pay versus inflation data giving an overall description of the state of the economy in the future. Among that, the manufacturing data has shown to be contracting the past year, with the first signs of relief this month. Lastly, trade data has shown that the trade deficit has grown bigger than expected with Q1 coming to completion.
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A Consumer’s Guide To Mortgage Escrow Accounts

Are you in the process of purchasing a home or considering refinancing your mortgage? If so, you've likely encountered the term "escrow account" during your discussions.
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Choosing the Right Mortgage Term

You're about to start on an exciting journey toward homeownership. But before you dive headfirst into the world of real estate financing, there's an important decision you'll need to make which is choosing the right mortgage term.
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Understanding Interest-Only Mortgages

What exactly is an interest-only mortgage? Simply put, it's a type of home loan where you pay only the interest for a certain period, typically the first five to ten years. After this initial period, you begin paying both the principal and interest, resulting in higher monthly payments.
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Exploring the HECM Reverse Mortgage Program for Seniors

For many seniors, home equity represents a substantial portion of their wealth. However, accessing this equity while maintaining homeownership can be challenging. This is where Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM), commonly known as a reverse mortgage, emerges as a potential solution.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 1st, 2024

As expected from the prior inflation reports with CPI and PPI, the PCE index had also shown the same corollary among its data points, reporting a higher than expected increase for the month of February across all products. In addition, the Chicago PMI had shown a declining trend of activity among businesses for the 6th week in a row. All this points to that there might be a case for the Federal Reserve to continue holding rates in the next rate decision coming up in the summer of 2024. There has been much speculation that the Federal Reserve will begin...
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A Consumer Guide To Second Mortgages

In the realm of personal finance, the term "second mortgage" often emerges as a solution for homeowners seeking additional funds. But what exactly are second mortgages, and how do they work? Join us as we embark on a journey to unravel the basics of second mortgages, helping you make informed decisions about your financial future.
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How to Evaluate Property Taxes and What You Need to Know Before You Buy

Retirement is a significant milestone in one's life, symbolizing the culmination of years of hard work and dedication.
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Exploring the Bright Side: How Mortgage Brokers Differ from Direct Lenders

Today, we're shedding light on the unique roles of mortgage brokers and direct lenders, highlighting the benefits they bring to the table.
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Navigating Down Payment Options: Your Guide to Homeownership

So, you've decided to take the plunge into homeownership - congratulations! One of the most critical aspects of buying a home is figuring out your down payment. It's a significant financial commitment that can shape your home-buying journey.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 25th, 2024

While it's not a set deal, the Federal Reserve does appear to be on track for a June rate cut, and following its two-day policy meeting, the central bank's rate-setting Federal Open Market Committee said it will keep its benchmark overnight borrowing rate in a range between 5.25%-5.5% until then. Additionally, the government has also avoided another shut down as a series of rushed bills had approved spending for the government by another 1.2 trillion dollars. This is good news for lending markets as the debt ceiling has previously tied up rate decisions in the past.
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Consumer Guide: Mortgages for Veterans – A Guide to VA Loans

Are you a veteran or an active-duty military member considering homeownership? VA loans offer significant benefits tailored to meet the needs of veterans and service members.
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Embracing the Future: Work-From-Home and Its Impact on Housing Needs

In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, the way we work underwent a profound change in the way most people do business. It became apparent that working from home was more than a temporary change. As companies adapted to remote work models, many employees found themselves unleashed from traditional office spaces.
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Protecting Your Home and Finances: How to Spot Mortgage Scams

Buying a home is one of the most significant financial investments many of us will ever make. It is crucial to be vigilant against mortgage scams that can threaten your financial security and homeownership dreams. Mortgage scams come in various forms, but with awareness and caution, you can protect yourself from falling victim to fraudsters.
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Mortgage Types: Understanding Your Options

For many, purchasing a home represents a significant milestone, a symbol of stability, and a tangible investment in the future. However, stepping into homeownership often entails struggling with complex financial decisions, with one of the most pivotal being the selection of a suitable mortgage type.
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 18th, 2024

Last week's inflation data came in at a higher rate than expected, with Price Producer Index (PPI) numbers showing more than double the expected inflation gain. With both CPI and PPI being over the target, the steadfast certainty that the Federal Reserve will cut rates has now taken a step back, resulting in more tamed expectations for the near future. With a mixed response from lending partners, this may end up rapidly changing in the next round of discussions with the Federal Reserve's Chairman Jerome Powell this coming week, as well as a final rate decision.
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Maximizing Your Home Improvement Budget

Many homeowners seek to enhance their living spaces while concurrently adding value to their properties. However, numerous home improvement initiatives often come with exorbitant price tags, reaching six figures for extensive renovation projects. Nonetheless, there exist cost-effective alternatives that homeowners can explore.
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Escaping the Rent Trap: Building Equity through Homeownership

Are you tired of pouring your hard-earned money into rent payments every month, only to see it vanish into thin air? Have you ever considered that homeownership might be the key to escaping the rent trap and building wealth for your future?
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Financing Eco-Friendly Homes and Renovations

In recent years, the concept of sustainable living has gained significant traction, with more individuals and families seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint and contribute positively to the environment. One avenue that has emerged to support this trend is the concept of green mortgages.
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