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05
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

3 Common Mistakes That First-time Mortgage Borrowers Make and How to Easily Avoid Them

Deciding to purchase a home will be one of the biggest investment decisions you'll make in your life, but it can be confusing for the first-time home buyer to know all the ins and outs of buying a home. If you're wondering what things first-time buyers often forget about before purchasing a home, here are three important things that you'll want to keep in mind. Ignoring Their Credit History If you have a high debt load or you haven't been making your minimum payments, it can be pretty frightening to consider looking at your credit report, but it's very important…
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04
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Understanding Appraisals and What to Do If Your Home Doesn’t Appraise for Its Purchase Price

It can be a bit of a surprise if your home turns out to be valued at less than the purchase price offered, but this is the type of thing that can occur in an appraisal situation. While this can change everything from your contract to the amount of your down payment if your home has been appraised at less than you envisioned, here are some options you may want to consider. Review The Appraisal Contingency Clause If an appraisal contingency clause is built into the terms of your contract, this means that the terms of your contract can be…
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03
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Tips,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 3, 2016

Last week's economic releases included reports on new and pending home sales, S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and regularly scheduled weekly reporting on mortgage rates and weekly jobless claims. Readings on consumer sentiment and confidence were also released. New and Pending Home Sales Lower as Peak Sales Season Winds Down August readings for new and pending home sales were lower than for July; analysts said that slim supplies of available homes and rising home prices contributed to slower home sales. Peak home sales typically occur during spring and summer. Homebuyers with school-aged children prefer to be settled into a new…
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30
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Moving with Children? Here’s How to Quickly Assess Whether a Community Is Family Friendly

If you're looking for a home that's in a family-friendly neighborhood, there are a few key things you can look for to make sure your new house is a good fit for both you and your children. Quality Public or Private Schools Are there good public schools nearby? If so, do they span from kindergarten all the way to high school? Finding a home in an area with a great elementary school can be a good fit for several years, but if you're looking for a home that will be convenient in the long-term it's important to consider your proximity…
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29
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

3 Things You Need to Consider Before Buying That Fixer-Upper Home

What Will It Cost? If you're going into a home expecting a few renovations costs, a minor detail here or there may not add up to much. However, if you're not interested in spending the big bucks on making changes, you'll want to estimate an approximate amount of how much the renovations you don't want to live without will amount to. By including all the necessary labor and materials, you'll be able to determine if the price-point of your offer will be worth it. Keep in mind that if there are any serious issues with the house, it may not…
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28
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

What Types of Coverage Are Included in Standard Home Insurance Policies? Let’s Take a Look

Every insurance policy is different and can provide certain levels of protection tailored towards the needs of the policy holder. However, there are some standard types of coverage that are included in most basic home insurance policies. Basic Levels Of Protection Most homeowner insurance policies will include some basic levels of protection and coverage. The main dwelling will be protected from many forms of damage and the insurance company will pay to repair the damaged dwelling. This will extend to other smaller structures on the property, like sheds and separate garages, but the level of coverage will differ. Damage is…
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