Blog

15
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Buying a Home This Fall? Here’s How Your Choice of Neighborhood Will Impact Your Mortgage

If you're planning to buy a home in the next few months, you'll want to ensure you choose a great neighborhood to live in - not just because it can improve your quality of life, but also because it can help you get a mortgage. Neighborhood is a factor that lenders consider when you apply for a mortgage, which is why you'll want to consider a neighborhood's mortgage implications as well. Here's what you need to know about how the neighborhood you buy into affects the kind of mortgage you can get. A Neighborhood Full of Foreclosed Homes Decreases Your…
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14
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, Home Seller Tips, Personal Finance, ,

How Much Should You Budget for Closing Costs? Let’s Take a Look

If you're in the market for a new home, you're probably trying to budget for all of the expenses that come with a home purchase. After all, the asking price isn't necessarily the entire amount that you'll pay - there are other expenses that will factor in to the final price. One such expense is your closing costs. Closing costs are the miscellaneous fees you'll pay when you sign the deal to buy your home. But how much do you need to save up for closing costs? Here's what you need to know. The General Guideline for What to Expect…
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13
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, , ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 13, 2015

Last week's economic reports included the Federal Open Market Committee Meeting Minutes and Weekly Jobless Claims. Also, the new mortgage TRID rules went into effect. Here are the details: TRID (TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure) Goes Into Effect TRID, or TILA-RESPA Integrated Disclosure, which is also known as the "Know Before You Owe" rule will change the mortgage process by altering some standard loan forms and practices. Originally slated to go into effect August 1, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) actually took effect on October 3. On Wednesday, October 7, 2015, the House of Representatives approved HR 3192, "The Homebuyers Assistance…
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09
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Looking for an Eco-friendly Upgrade? Try These Easy Ways to Save Water Around the Home

With the impact we have on our environment becoming a matter of greater concern, it's becoming more important for the average citizen to know they're doing their part. While there are many simple tricks for saving water that will make you feel better about your environmental footprint, here are a few easy upgrades that will make that saving a little more automatic. Consider a Cistern Device With outhouses a thing of the past, flushing the toilet has become one of the ways in which household water is being overused the most, but flushing less simply isn't a viable option. Instead…
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08
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Investment Properties, ,

Real Estate Investing: Why Buying a Condo in a Ski Resort Area Can Be a Great Investment

The decision to invest in real estate can be one rife with risk, but if you're ready to take this type of step into the investment market, you might be wondering where to begin. While upcoming neighborhoods and university areas may always be a place where investment is a viable idea, here are some reasons it can be a boon to consider a resort condo. A Reliable Influx of Visitors The great thing about having a condo close to a resort is that, no matter the weather, people will be getting away in the summer and the winter for some…
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07
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The Pros and Cons of Paying Your Mortgage off Biweekly Versus Monthly

If you have a mortgage, you're probably looking for the best option to pay it off. Monthly mortgage payments are an easy-to-manage way to pay for your house - in fact, they're the most common form of mortgage payment  but now, many homeowners are discovering that biweekly payments offer them better results. So is a biweekly payment the better option for you? Which payment strategy best fits your individual circumstances? Here's what you need to know. Biweekly Payments: Pay Off Your Mortgage Faster and Save on Interest Biweekly payments are becoming increasingly popular for a variety of reasons. With a…
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