Blog

07
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Thinking About Investing in Real Estate? Here’s What You’ll Need to Get a Second Mortgage

The decision to invest in a home is a big one for many people, but if you're making the foray into real estate the second time around, it's even more important to be financially aware and prepared. If you're wondering what you'll need in order to get approved for an investment property, here are some things that you'll want to consider before deciding a second property is in your future. A Larger Down Payment Due to the risk factor involved in taking on more than one loan, acquiring a second mortgage for an investment property will likely require you to…
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06
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home,

Living With a Small Green Space: How to Make the Most of a Smaller, Intimate Yard

It's great to have a yard in this day and age, but so many new developments in the city have limited green space for you to let your imagination run wild. If you're wondering what you can do with your patch of green space or small yard, here are a few options for making it aesthetically appealing and still maximizing its potential. Pick A Centerpiece In order to stretch the look of your green space, try adding a centerpiece or focal point that will draw the eye and instantly improve your yard's appeal. Whether you decide on a planter, a…
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05
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 5, 2017

Last week's economic releases included readings on inflation, core inflation pending home sales and multiple reports from the labor sector. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. Pending home sales were lower and weekly jobless claims rose, which illustrates continued volatility in the economic sector. Inflation rose 0.40 percent in April, which matched projections and exceeded April's reading of 0.30 percent. Core inflation, which excludes volatile food and energy sectors, grew by 0.20 percent and exceeded expectations of 0.10 percent growth based on a negative reading of -0.20 percent in March. The Federal Reserve has…
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02
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

3 ‘Hidden’ Costs You’ll Uncover Buying Your First Home – and How to Plan for Them

Are you about to become a first-time home buyer? If so, there's a lot to get excited about. You'll soon be a home owner, able to customize and improve your living space as you see fit. Of course, buying a home is an investment unlike any other. To get the best deal on your home, you'll need to be diligent. Let's have a look at some of the hidden costs you may uncover when buying your first home. #1: The Home Inspection (And What It Finds) A major step before buying any home is the inspection. A licensed inspector will…
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01
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Can I Qualify for a Mortgage After Declaring Bankruptcy? Yes — and Here’s How

It may feel like a very daunting task to consider buying a home after you've declared bankruptcy, and there's no doubt that it's an uphill battle. Fortunately, while you'll have hard work ahead, there are things you can do in order to make your dream of home ownership a possibility. Whether you've just declared bankruptcy or some time has passed, here are some things you should consider before getting into the market. Wait It Out It might not be what you want to hear, but it's, unfortunately, the case that you'll have to wait at least two years before you…
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31
May
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Yes, It’s Getting Easier to Get a Mortgage. Here’s How You Can Take Advantage

It can be hard to stay on top of a changing real estate market from day-to-day, but it's a matter of fact that there are more available mortgage products out there than ever before for many different kinds of homebuyers. If you're wondering how you can take advantage of easier lending opportunities and strike while the iron is hot, here are some things to consider. Take Care Of Your Credit While many regulations on mortgage applications may have been loosened in recent years, it goes without saying that having a better credit score will still enable you to qualify for…
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