Blog

30
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

Make 2018 the Year You Escape the ‘Rental Trap’ by Buying Your Own Home

Are you growing tired of paying rent each month and not building your net worth? Being stuck in the 'rental trap' isn't much fun, but if you are determined, you can break out. Let's explore some of the steps that you can take to make 2018 the year that you become a homeowner. Rent Money Is Lost Money First – why homeownership? As you may already understand, money spent on rent is 'lost' money. Each month you pay your rent, but you do not build any equity, own any property or get any other benefits in return. When you own…
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29
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Values

Case-Shiller: Home Prices Grow at Fastest Rate Since June 2014

Home prices continued to rise in September according to Case-Shiller National and 20-City home price index reports. According to the National Home Price Index, national home prices rose 0.70 percent month for the three months ending in September. The National Index regained its pre-housing bubble peak and surpassed it by 5.90 percent as of September. The 20-City Home Price Index rose 0.50 percent from August's reading. Analysts forecast a growth rate of 0.40 percent month-to-month. The 20-City Home Price Index indicates a home price growth rate 0f 6.20 percent year-over-year. The 20-City Index remained 1.50 percent below its peak in…
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28
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

Graduating With Student Loan Debt and Worried About Your Mortgage Prospects? You’re Not Alone

Did you recently graduate from college or university? If so, you may still be dealing with a financial hangover in the form of student loan debt. The vast majority of today's students have to borrow to invest in their education, which can affect financial plans once school is finished. In today's post, we will explore buying a home with a mortgage when still dealing with outstanding student loan debt. Your Situation Is Common, But Unique To You First, try to keep in mind that you are not alone. Many former students are moving on with life, working hard to build…
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27
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 27, 2017

Last week's economic reports included readings on pre-owned home sales, weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims and consumer sentiment. The weekly news cycle was shorter due to the Thanksgiving holidays on Thursday and Friday. Sales of Previously-Owned Homes Jump in October Sales of previously owned homes grew by 1.20 percent in October as compared to September's reading of 0.10 percent growth month-to-month and indicated a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 5.48 million sales. October home sales increased as inventories of available homes declined. There was a 3.90 months supply of homes in October as compared to a…
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24
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Are You Ready for Home Ownership? Find Out by Answering These 4 Questions

Have you been dreaming about a larger, roomier or more luxurious living space? Or perhaps just want to experience the joy of owning your own home and building your net worth instead of renting? Let's explore a few questions that can help to answer whether or not you're ready for a new lifestyle as a homeowner. Can You Realistically Afford To Buy A Home? The first consideration to make is a financial one: can you afford it? Buying in a home is a significant financial investment. In most cases you'll need to manage monthly mortgage payments for many years. The…
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22
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

Four Pieces of Mortgage ‘Advice’ That You Should Take With the Proverbial Grain of Salt

Are you in the market for a new home? If you have been talking to friends and family or researching online, you have likely come across quite a bit of mortgage-related advice. As with anything, there is low-quality advice out there which is essential to avoid. In today's blog post we will share four pieces of mortgage-related advice that you should take with the proverbial 'grain of salt.' #1: Only Get A Mortgage From Your Bank Have you heard that you should only get a mortgage from the major bank that you use regularly? Many people believe that working with…
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