25
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 25, 2022

Last week’s economic news included readings from the National Association of Home Builders on home prices, Commerce Department readings on building permits issued, and housing starts.  The National Association of Realtors® reported on sales of previously-owned homes; weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. NAHB Housing Market Index Posts Lowest Reading Since May 2020 The housing market is cooling off according to July’s NAHB Housing Market Index, which declined to an index reading of 55 as compared to June’s reading of 67 and the expected reading of 66. July’s reading was the second lowest posted since…
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22
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

3 Tips for Planning Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

Once you've purchased a home and decided on a move in date, it may seem like a lot of the hard stuff is over, but you still have one of the most important things relating to such a large purchase to think about: the payments! If you're looking for a few tips on ways to approach your monthly payment, the following will steer you in the right direction so you can broach your mortgage schedule successfully. Set Up A Payment Schedule Many people have been in the situation of neglecting their phone or credit cards by forgetting about the payment…
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21
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

3 Key Reasons Why Buying Your First Home Is Like Planning a Wedding

You may not see the connection right away, but buying a home and planning a wedding are two experiences that require certain skills and challenge you in similar ways. Check out the three key similarities below! 1. Budget Whether you're buying your first home or planning a wedding, you are likely facing one of the biggest financial obligations of your life. That's why, in both cases, it is essential that you pick a realistic budget and stay within it. Sounds simple, but in either case it can be difficult! Unexpected obstacles may force you to spend more than you planned,…
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20
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Understanding Automated Underwriting and How It Impacts the Mortgage Application Process

Whether you're embarking on the process of obtaining a mortgage for the first time or just preparing yourself for the advances in the industry, the implementation of automated underwriting in recent years has significantly changed the application process. From the time you'll have to wait to the documentation that is required, here are some of the details on what you can expect when dealing with an automated underwriter. Reduction In Document Requirements In the past, most homebuyers submitting mortgage application documents were required to go into their backlogs to provide the paystubs for the previous 2 months pay, as well…
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19
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Should You Make Extra Mortgage Payments Toward The Principal Of Your Home?

If you have recently purchased a house, you have probably taken a look at your mortgage statement and noticed that the majority of your first few payments are going toward interest. You do not start paying down a significant amount of the principal until later in your mortgage cycle. If you start to make more money, you might be interested in making additional payments toward the principal of your home. Is this a smart financial move? There are a few important points to know. You Can Cancel Your PMI Sooner One of the major advantages of making additional mortgage payments…
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18
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 18, 2022

Inflation dominated last week’s economic readings and predictions as it hit a year-over-year growth rate of  9.10 percent in July. Inflation reached its highest year-over-year growth rate since 1981. Gasoline prices eased somewhat, but not enough to provide relief against a backdrop of high housing and food prices. Low and moderate-income consumers were disproportionately impacted as rents rose beyond near-record inflation and home prices remained out of reach for many would-be home buyers. Inflation Causing Hardship for Moderate-Income Consumers Consumers faced with rapidly growing expenses turned to credit cards for purchasing food and household items; this trend suggests that as…
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