22
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Navigating A Market With Higher Interest Rate

Even though interest rates have gone up significantly during the past few months, there are still opportunities for you to find a home at a great price. The high interest rate can be discouraging for some people, but as long as you know how to navigate the market, you can still put yourself in a position to be successful. Put More Money Down The easiest way to combat a high interest rate is to reduce the amount of money you borrow. That means that you might need to put more money down. Of course, this means that you might need…
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21
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Understanding Mortgage Pre-Approvals and How to Avoid Being Declined for One

The mortgage process is a long and complicated one, with a number of similar-sounding terms that can easily confuse first-time homebuyers. A pre-approval is not the same thing as a pre-qualification, and it's important to understand everything that goes into a pre-approval. Being declined during the pre-approval process means you'll have a hard time getting the funds you need to buy your home, so it's important that you know what the process is going to look like before going into it. How does a pre-approval work, and how can you make sure you won't be declined? Here's what you need…
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20
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 20, 2023

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on housing starts and building permits issued, the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index, and Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s Senate testimony. The Commerce Department reported on housing starts and building permits issued published, and a monthly reading on consumer sentiment was published. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Two bank failures instill fear in depositors In the aftermath of two bank failures last week,  US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that “the banking system is sound” during testimony to the US Senate last Thursday. When asked if…
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17
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage,

Is A VA Loan The Best Option For Your Needs?

If you plan on buying a house in the near future, there are a few mortgage options available. One potential option is called a VA loan. This is a loan that has been backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and it could provide you with some added flexibility that you can use to purchase a house. Is a VA loan right for you? There are a few points to keep in mind. Who Qualifies For a VA Loan? First, not everyone is able to access a VA loan. This is a loan that is generally only available to active members of…
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16
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Should You Pay Discount Points When You Get Your Mortgage?

One of the challenges you will face when deciding how much money to put down on your new home is whether to put down a larger down payment or to take a bit of money from your down payment and use it to buy "discount points" to lower your interest rate. There are pros and cons to doing both and each borrowers situation will be different so it's important to understand which option is best for your individual situation. Some factors you should consider include: Cost of borrowing - generally speaking, to lower your interest rate will mean you pay…
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15
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage,

Bridge Loans: What You Need To Know

Are you in the process of selling your home? You probably want to buy a new one right now to ensure you have another house to move into, but what happens if you do not have the cash to buy a home right now? You might need to cash from your current home before you can purchase your next home, but can you really wait to sell your house before buying another one? A bridge loan can help you fix this issue. What is a bridge loan, and how does it work? What Is A Bridge Loan? A bridge loan has…
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