Blog

01
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Finding Your Latte Factor: 3 Ways to Find the Money to Make Extra Mortgage Payments

It's not uncommon for a homeowner to want to pay more than the minimum monthly mortgage payment on their home. However, just because it can seem hard to come up with the funds on a monthly basis doesn't mean it's not possible to find the money for extra mortgage payments each year. If you're wondering how you can pay down your mortgage debt much sooner with extra money, here are some tricks you may want to try. Relinquish Your Refund Many people look forward to tax time because it's an opportunity to spend their refund on shopping, dining or a much-needed…
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31
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 31, 2017

Last week's economic news included readings on new and existing home sales, Case-Shiller Home Price Index reports and an announcement by the Federal Open Market Committee of the Federal Reserve. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. New and Existing Home Sales Mixed in June Sales of new homes rose in June rose to a seasonally- adjusted annual rate of 610,000 homes. Analysts expected 614,000 new home sales based on May's reading of 605,000 new home sales. The National Association of Realtors® reported 5.52 million previously owned homes sold in June on a seasonally-adjusted annual…
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28
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Investing in a New Home? 3 Reasons You Can’t Skip the Pest Inspection

There are so many small details involved in the final purchase of a home that it can be easy to lose track of the things that need to be done. While you won't be able to forget about a home inspection, a pest inspection can be every bit as important before you sign on the dotted line. If you're wondering why you shouldn't forego this important step, consider the following information. The Final Offer Few people want to deal with problems, especially when it comes to their dream home. But the entire purpose of a pest inspection is to ensure…
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27
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Forget About the Bank of Mom and Dad — Here’s How You Can Save Your Own Down Payment

Are you considering buying a home for the first time? For some, it can seem nearly impossible to come up with the funds for the down payment. Fortunately, there are a few ways that you can save a little over time and not have to borrow from the "Bank of Mom and Dad". If you're looking to invest in a home in the short-term and are looking for solutions to save up, here are some tips on how to get to your down payment amount more quickly. Create A Budget Most people don't like the idea of a budget, but…
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26
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buying a Home in a Fire Risk Area: Here’s What You Need to Know

Outside of the significant financial responsibility of delving into home ownership, there can also be a lot of other risks involved that you may not have thought about before investing in a home. You'll need to protect your home against theft or burglary. And homeowner's insurance to protect your home and belongings is almost a requirement. But there are other less common occurrences you may not have thought about. If you happen to be living in an area that's at high risk of fire, here are some things to consider beforehand. Defining "High Risk" It's easy to be swept away…
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25
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Mortgage Tips: Answers to 4 Common Questions About Reverse Mortgages

There are many mortgage products on the market that work for all different kinds of homebuyers, but many people have not heard about reverse mortgages and how they can benefit their situation. If you're curious about this type of mortgage and want to know more, here are some questions that will get you on the road to understanding the ins-and-outs of this product. What's A Reverse Mortgage? The reverse mortgage was created in the wake of the 2008 recession and is commonly known as HECM, the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage for Purchase. While this mortgage option is beneficial for those…
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