04
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Mortagage Tips, ,

A Guide To Helping A Dog Adjust To A New Home

Most people treat their dogs as members of the family. Just as moving can be difficult for children, moving can be a challenge for dogs as well. Dogs develop an attachment to their homes, and they can have a hard time adjusting to a new place. Fortunately, there are a few steps that homeowners can take to make the moving process easier for everyone involved, including dogs.  Let The Dog Get Familiar With The Moving Supplies  A lot of dog owners have found that it is easier to take a dog to the vet if he or she can acclimate…
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03
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Can You Refinance into a VA Mortgage from Another Type of Mortgage? Yes, If You Qualify

VA mortgages stand out as one of the biggest benefits to men and women serving in the military. Although private lenders make the loan, the Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees all VA mortgages, which is why these loans come with favorable terms and benefits not found with other mortgage types. The Benefits Of Refinancing To A VA Mortgage A VA loan may very well be the borrower's only option for putting no money down, as many lenders will cover 100% of the value of the home, thanks to the backing of Veterans Affairs. There is a ceiling on the amount…
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28
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 28, 2022

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on home prices from S&P Case-Shiller and the Federal Housing Finance Agency; data on pending home sales and sales of new homes were also released. The University of Michigan released its final February reading on consumer sentiment and weekly reports on average mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Home Price Growth Expected to Slow in 2022 December readings from S&P Case Shiller suggested a slowing pace of home price growth in 2022 but analysts said that home prices are not expected to decrease. Case-Shiller’s National Home Price…
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25
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

How Can You Secure A Better Interest Rate When Refinancing Your Home Loan?

If you want to save money on your home loan, you may want to consider refinancing. During the refinancing process, you will replace your existing home loan with a new one; however, you want to secure the lowest interest rate possible. How can you get a better rate on your mortgage during the refinancing process?  Consider Refinancing Your Home Loan To A Shorter Term If you can create less risk for the lender, you can get a lower interest rate. One of the ways to do so is to refinance your home loan to a shorter term. If the average…
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24
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

S&P Case-Shiller Indices: December Home Price Growth Hits Record High

While U.S. home prices grew at record speed in December, rising mortgage rates threatened rapid price appreciation as buyers were sidelined by affordability concerns. S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index reported 18.80 percent year-over-year home price growth in December. The 20-City Home Price Index posted a year-over-year gain of 18.60 percent as compared to November’s year-over-year home price gain of 18.30 percent. Home prices rose by 1.50 percent from November to December 2020. Phoenix, Arizona held on to first place in the 20-City Index with year-over-year home price growth of 32.50 percent; Tampa, Florida held second place with 29.40 percent…
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23
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Everything Homeowners Need To Know About Down Payments

Buying a house is an exciting time, but homeowners also need to make the best financial decision to meet their needs. One of the biggest decisions potential homeowners will face is how much money to put down. A down payment is the amount of money that homeowners pay upfront when they purchase a home. Many homeowners believe they need to put down 20 percent; however, this is not always the case. What do homeowners need to know about putting a down payment on a house?  20 Percent Is Not Always Required The reason why homeowners often believe they need to…
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