Blog

15
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

4 Misconceptions About Reverse Mortgages — and Why You May Decide You Want One

With so many mortgage products available on the market, it can be hard to know which ones will serve you best as a homeowner. As a result, there are many mistruths surrounding the reverse mortgage products. If you've heard of this homeownership option and are wondering what it can do for you, let's clear away some of the misconceptions. You Must Own Your Home It can certainly be helpful to own your home outright if you're looking into a reverse mortgage, but it's not actually necessary. Instead, it's important for you to have a high amount of equity in your…
Read More
14
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buyer’s Remorse: 3 Things You Should Never Say When You’re Negotiating to Buy a Home

The prospect of finding the home you've always dreamed of can be such an exciting prospect that it's easy to forget all about the process of negotiating. However, it's important to keep a few things to yourself when it comes to the art of making the deal. If you're currently searching for the right place and are preparing to sign on the dotted line, here are a few phrases it's best to avoid. Declaring It Your Dream Home There's nothing wrong with finding the ideal home and getting enthusiastic about the prospect of owning it, but it's very important not…
Read More
13
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 13, 2017

Last week's scheduled economic readings were limited and included new jobless claims and Freddie Mac's mortgage rates survey. In other news, all types of mortgage applications rose by 2.30 percent this week as compared to the prior week. Mortgage Rates Lower, Home Loan Applications Rise Freddie Mac reported lower mortgage rates for fixed rate and 5/1 adjustable mortgages; the average rate for 30-year fixed rate mortgages dropped two basis points to 4.17 percent. Average rates for 15-year mortgages also dropped two basis points to 3.39 percent. 5/1 adjustable mortgage rates averaged 3.21 percent, which was also two basis points lower…
Read More
10
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Worried About Future Mortgage Rate Increases? Here’s How to ‘Stress Test’ Your Finances

When it comes to real estate, there are always going to be upswings in the market that will have an impact on your mortgage payment and overall financial health. However, with a fluctuating market here to stay, you may be wondering how you can guard your biggest investment and your finances against rate increases. If you're concerned about rates on the rise, here are a few tips to test out you're fiscal well-being. Calculate Your Debt-To-Income Ratio It's beneficial to determine your DTI ratio prior to purchasing a home, but since debt and housing costs are always fluctuating, calculating this…
Read More
09
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The 2017 Mortgage Rate Outlook: Here’s What the Experts Are Saying

The post-election period is often one of uncertainty, and the time since the 2016 election has been no different with regards to market force and the financial world. With a new administration taking office, there are many questions regarding how Donald Trump's presidency will impact the market and your mortgage. If you're wondering what the predictions are for the coming year, here are a few things the experts are considering. An Increase In Rates Due to an expected hike in rates by the Federal Reserve, it's unlikely that potential homebuyers will be able to get the low interest rates of…
Read More
08
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buying Real Estate vs. Buying Stocks: Here’s Why a Home Should Be Your Priority

Once you're done with debt and you've started to save, it's commonly the case that you'll start hearing about the risks and rewards of investing in stocks or real estate. Unfortunately, it can be difficult for many people to know what type of investment is going to work better for them down the road. If you're currently considering what you should put your money into, here are some reasons you may want to turn to real estate. It's Something You Can See While investing in the stock market will give you the ability to invest as little or as much…
Read More