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3 Classic Credit Mistakes to Avoid If You’re Trying to Secure a Mortgage Loan

The mortgage application process can be fraught with a lot of stress on its own, but if you've experienced issues with your credit in the past it can be even more taxing. While there may be a lot of things you may not be aware of when it comes to their impact on your credit, here are some things to watch out for if you're planning on purchasing a home in the short-term future. Applying For Extra Credit Whether you've just been offered a great new deal by a department store or you're not even thinking about it, new credit…
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What Fees Are Involved With a Reverse Mortgage? Let’s Take a Look

Investing in a home may be one of the most significant purchases you'll make in your lifetime, but many people forget that there are a number of other costs associated with buying a home. If you're considering a reverse mortgage and want to be clear on all of the fees involved, here are a few things you can expect to come across. Initial Home Appraisal Fee In order to ensure that you qualify for a reverse mortgage, you'll need to spend a lump sum up front to determine the market cost of your home. While the amount of this fee…
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Yes, It’s True! Why Replacing Your Front Door Can Help to Sell Your Home Faster

There are plenty of things that you'll need to shape up when you embark on selling your home, whether it's painting the house or the minor fix-ups, but it's easy to forget about some items that will be readily apparent to homebuyers. If you're preparing to put your home on the market and are wondering what you shouldn't miss, here are a few reasons why replacing your front door should be at the top of the list. It's The First Thing Buyers Will Notice While the yard and the exterior of your home may be the most noticeable things to…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 8, 2017

Last week's economic news included readings on construction spending, the post-meeting statement by the Fed's Open Market Committee and labor-related reports including ADP payrolls, Non-farm payrolls and the national unemployment rate. Weekly readings on new jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released. Fed Rate Unchanged, Mortgage Rates Hold Steady Federal Reserve policymakers did not change the target federal funds rate, which ranges from 0.75 to 1.00 percent. In its usual post-meeting statement, FOMC said that a weak first quarter was "transitory" and expected economic growth to continue going forward. Less consumer spending contributed to a sluggish first quarter, but…
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Let’s Talk Fencing: How to Put a Fence Around Your Home Without Destroying Its Appeal

Many homeowners consider a fence around their property for a variety of reasons, whether it's to keep the dog in the yard or to maintain privacy. However, the wrong fence can entirely change the look of your property and make a beautiful yard a bit of an eyesore. If you're trying to determine what kind of fence will work for your home, here are some tips before you start to dig in the dirt. What's Your Fence For? Before deciding what kind of material to use, it's important to know what type of utility you want for your fence. While…
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Refinancing This Spring? How to Choose Between Variable and Fixed Interest Rates

From choosing a real estate agent to finding the right home, the process of getting a mortgage is rife with many different choices. If you're investing down the road, it's likely that you've heard about variable and fixed interest rates and are wondering about the differences between the two and how they can benefit you. While what will work best for you depends on your financial flexibility and market knowledge, here are some basics that will help you make a decision. The Details on Fixed Rates For many homeowners new to the market, the stability of a fixed rate is…
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