Blog

27
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buying an Older Home? Watch Out for These 3 Key Flaws That Could Spell Trouble

Are you a fan of homes with a bit more character than newer, modern designs? Whether in pristine condition or more of a "fixer upper," older homes are incredibly popular in cities across the country. However, there are some key factors to consider if you're thinking about buying a home built decades ago before modern standards were enforced. Let's take a look at three key design issues that you will need to be aware of if you're thinking about buying an older house. Old Electrical Designs Can Be A Significant Fire Hazard No matter when a home was built, it's…
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26
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Stuck in a Bidding War? 3 Ways to Win Without Busting Through Your Mortgage Approval Amount

Are you making an offer on a new home in a hot housing market? If so, one possibility is that you are going to end up bidding against other buyers who are looking to buy the same home. Unfortunately, in some cases bidding wars are inevitable, and they can be a significant source of stress. Let's take a look at three ways that you can win a bidding war without having to spend more than you can afford. Price Is Important, But It's Not Everything The first consideration to keep in mind is that price is important, but it isn't…
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25
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Worried That Your Past Student Loan Debt Might Delay Buying a Home? Here’s What to Do

Whether you are just about to graduate college or you have been out of school for a few years, there's a good chance you're carrying some amount of student loan debt. It seems that news headlines are regularly pointing out that the nation's graduates are suffering from the stress of student debt. Moreover, that pressure can be even worse for those who are looking to buy a home and start putting some roots down in the local community. Are you worried that past student loan debt will affect your chances of buying a home? Let's run through a few tips…
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24
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Man Vs. Machine: Why Using a Human Mortgage Professional Is Better Than Trusting an App

Are you currently house-hunting or plan to be in the near future? If you plan on using mortgage financing to pay for your home, you will soon discover that there's no shortage of options available to you. You can meet with a local mortgage professional, apply for mortgages online and even download mobile apps that promise to set you up with a mortgage. However, is every option equal? Let's explore why, in the epic battle of man versus machine, you will want to place your trust in a human mortgage professional. Human Mortgage Professionals Have Local Experience The first and…
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23
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Housing Market

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 23, 2017

Last week's economic reports included NAHB Housing Market Indexes along with readings on housing starts, building permits and existing home sales. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. NAHB: Builder Sentiment Jumps in September, Housing Starts and Building Permits Fall The National Association of Home Builders reported a four-point increase in its Home Price Index for October. Builders surveyed reported higher confidence in overall market conditions, which resulted in a reading of 68. Analysts had expected no change in the September reading of 64. Natural disasters have raised builder opportunities for new projects, but the…
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20
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buying a New Home? Here’s Why Mortgage Pre-Approval Should Be Your First Step

Are you thinking about buying a new house, condo or apartment? Whether you are upgrading, downsizing or investing, if you intend on borrowing the funds you'll need to be pre-approved for a mortgage. In today's blog post we'll explore mortgage pre-approval and why this should be one of your first steps in buying a new home. Pre-Approval Helps To Determine Your Budget Do you know your budget? Mortgage lenders consider many factors when deciding how much they are willing to lend to a home buyer. While your employment status, salary, assets and credit rating are important, they are all pieces…
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