Blog

10
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The Happenings In A Reverse Mortgage

When you're looking for ways to supplement your retirement income, there are a number of different options to consider. A reverse mortgage is becoming a more popular and more common way to provide income when your retirement savings don't leave enough to live on. But with all the information out there, how do you know what happens in a reverse mortgage and whether it's a good option for you? What Is A Reverse Mortgage? A reverse mortgage essentially reverses the typical actions of a mortgage. Instead of making payments on your home, you receive payments against your home's equity. The…
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09
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

4 Of The Best Questions To Ask Before Refinancing Your Mortgage

1) Do I Have Enough Equity To Get A Mortgage? To get a conventional loan, you will usually need to have at least 20 percent equity. This means that your house will have to be worth at least $250,000 to get a $200,000 loan. If you have less equity, you could end up having to pay for private mortgage insurance, which can easily add $100 or more to your monthly payment. 2) How's My Credit? Most lenders will look at your credit score as a part of determining whether or not to make you a loan. With conventional lenders, your…
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08
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Homeowner Tips, ,

Four Places To Look For Tax Deductions In Your Home

Paying your income taxes each year leave your wallet a bit thin? There may be money hiding in your home that lessens your tax burden. Here are four places to look: 1. Home-Office Deduction If you work from home, you could qualify for a home-office deduction. Taking the deduction can be a bit complicated; so many people who qualify don't claim the exemption. An estimated 26 million Americans have home offices, but only 3.4 million claim them on their tax return. Perhaps that's why the Internal Revenue Service attempted to simplify the process in 2013. The write-off takes into account…
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07
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 7, 2014

Last week's economic news included readings on February construction spending and multiple reports on employment data. Private sector employment was higher in March, but The Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that Non-Farm Payrolls for March fell short of expectations. According to Freddie Mac, mortgage rates ticked upward. Employment And Unemployment News ADP's payrolls report for March was higher than February's reading, with 191,000 new private sector jobs added. In February, 178,000 jobs were added. February's reading originally showed 138,000 new jobs added. While analysts were confident that private-sector employment was showing signs of stability, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics…
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04
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Give Your Home An Instant Facelift, Wallpaper Is Back!

Though it can be an entirely different story for a trend shift in the opposite direction, which then requires you to get out the soaking bucket and scraping tool, wallpaper coming back into style is a home décor blessing for many. Wallpaper is back in - in a big way! - and it's making your dreams of accomplishing a fashionable living space come true much faster and easier than you could have imagined. Quite frankly, wallpaper can do the "fashionable home" trick to virtually any room in your house, adding that touch of warmth and personality you've so far only…
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03
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Homebuyer Tips, ,

Millenials Have Great Homebuying Tools Available To Them

The economy seems to be finally turning, and home loan interest rates are still historically low. Real estate values are starting to climb as well, all of which makes for a growing opportunity for new homeowners to get into the market before it gets too expensive again. Millennials Don't Seem To Be On Board They represent the next generation of homebuyers, but a number of barriers can seem to be smack in the way, discouraging many. Yet there are ways around these issues. According to the Boston Globe, only 32 percent of Millennials are homeowners in 2014, either with a…
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