Blog

06
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The 4 Most Common Mortgage Questions, Answered

Making the decision to purchase a home is one of the most significant investments most people will make in their life, and this automatically means there are a lot of questions that need to be answered before putting any money down. If you're considering making the leap, here are some insights into some of the common questions you might have. How Much Should You Put Down? While many homebuyers have the option of putting as little as 3% down in order to purchase a home, there are benefits to saving up for a down payment and putting in 15 or…
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05
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 5, 2016

Last week's economic events included S&P Case-Shiller's Housing Market Indices for April along with reports on Construction Spending and Pending Home Sales. Consumer Confidence was higher in June in spite of low wage growth and inflation well below the Fed's goal of 2.00 percent annually. S&P Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Ticks Downward April home values grew by 5.40 percent in April on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Case Shiller reported a drop in momentum from the March reading of 5.50 percent according to the S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index. While no city included in the 20-City Index reported lower home…
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01
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

Pay Off Your Home Faster with These Mortgage Tips

The monthly mortgage payment that goes into purchasing a home is frequently the most expensive cost per month that most people will incur, and that means that it can be helpful to know the tricks of the trade in squaring away this payment more quickly. If you're looking for some simple tips to get your mortgage paid off a little sooner, here are some pointers that will help you get to this goal. Make Bi-Weekly Payments It may seems like enough of an expenditure to pay your mortgage once a month, but making payments every two weeks can actually greatly…
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30
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Seller Tips,

How To Host A Successful Open House

From fixing up all the minor repairs to cleaning the house top-to-bottom, there are a lot of small details that go into organizing the perfect open house. However, in the rush to organize everything, there are a number of to-do's that are easy to forget about. If you're currently prepping your home and don't want to miss the important stuff, here are some things you should contemplate before setting the date. The Outside Look The first thing potential homebuyers will notice when they arrive at your home is the outside, and that's why it's so important not to neglect it.…
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29
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Evaluating Neighborhoods: 4 Things to Consider Before Purchasing a Home

From finding the right agent to discovering the home you can truly feel comfortable in, there are a variety of things involved in the home buying process. However, it's important not to get caught up in the home and ignore altogether the community you'll be living in. If you're planning a move to a new neighborhood, here are some things you should look into before putting in an offer. Local Amenities A peaceful, picturesque community is ideal, but if there are not a lot of resources nearby for your family, it's possible that your new neighborhood may not be the…
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28
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

3 Things to Consider Before Buying a Vacation Home Abroad

The call of fancy vacation locations and the additional earnings that can come along with this type of home may appeal to many homebuyers, but a lot of time and money can go into maintaining a second property. If you're currently considering a vacation home for your own use or as a potential investment, here are a few factors to consider before jumping into the fray of a long distance home. Will You Use It Enough? A home in a far-off place can be a great means of having a place to visit each year, but one of the problems…
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