04
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Which is Better: Bi-weekly or Monthly Mortgage Payments? Let’s Take a Look

When you apply for a new mortgage, your lender may ask if you want to set up monthly payments or bi-weekly payments. At one time, monthly payments were common, but bi-weekly payments are increasing in popularity. This is because they break a large expense up into two smaller and seemingly more manageable payments. In addition, you can also make what equates to a full extra payment on the mortgage each year with a bi-weekly payment structure. Before you decide which is best for you, consider a few factors. Your Personal Budget Many people may believe that if they get paid…
Read More
03
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buying a Home? What to Do if Problems Are Found During the Final Home Inspection

As a home buyer, you may go through a number of different steps to ensure that the property that you purchase is in great condition. For example, you may complete an initial walk-through or even several home tours before you make an offer. You may also order a property inspection and even negotiate for the seller to make some repairs on your behalf. A day or two before your closing date, you may set up a final home inspection to ensure that the home is still in the same condition as the initial walk-through. In most cases, there will be…
Read More
02
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

An Insider’s Guide to Fannie Mae’s HomePath Program and Closing Cost Assistance

Home buyers today may be concerned about finding the perfect home to purchase, but they are also often concerned with the process of applying for a mortgage. The loan application process itself may seem daunting, but many are concerned about finding a great deal on their mortgage. This may include getting a great interest rate and finding a program with low closing costs. The Fannie Mae HomePath program and closing cost assistance program is a beneficial option for many, and you may benefit from learning more about it. What Is This Program? The Fannie Mae loan program has been around…
Read More
01
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 1, 2015

Last week's economic reports included the Case-Shiller Home Price Indexes, FHFA's House Price Index and Pending Home Sales from the Commerce Department. The details: Home Prices Dip in March, Pending Home Sales Up According to the Case-Shiller 20-City Housing Market Index, the national reading for average home prices dipped in March. The 20-City Index moved from February's year-over-year home price growth of 4.20 percent to an average year-over-year home price growth rate of 4.10 percent in March. San Francisco, California reclaimed the top spot for home price growth of 10.30 percent year-over-year. The Federal Housing Finance Agency reported results that…
Read More
29
May
By Jim Hasek
Real Estate Tips, ,

Real Estate Roundup: The Top 5 Apps to Use When Buying or Selling a Home

Whether you are buying property, selling property or both, the process can be challenging, stressful and even overwhelming at times. Just as you may use various mobile apps to streamline and simplify other aspects of your life, you can also use some well-designed apps to improve your overall experience when you are buying or selling property. These are some of the best apps for you to use as you move forward with your real estate plans. iBank This app is not free for you to download, but the small fee that you pay to use iBank may be well worth…
Read More
28
May
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Did You Know: Reverse Mortgage Requirements Are Changing – Here’s How

Many seniors have taken advantage of reverse mortgages in recent years. These unique mortgages allow seniors who are existing homeowners to tap into their home equity without taking on a mortgage payment. This can be a true benefit to seniors who are on a tight budget or who want to take advantage of their home equity without giving up ownership of their home. However, with new rules and requirements in place regarding reverse mortgages, the fact is that some of the benefits associated with reverse mortgages may be limited. In addition, some who may have qualified in the past may…
Read More