Blog

08
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Reverse Mortgages 101: How This Unique Financial Product Can Make Your Life Easier

If you've been in your home for a while and have considered other loan options, you may have heard the term reverse mortgage without being aware of how this product can benefit you. While this type of mortgage works for those who have a high amount of equity in their home, here are the details on reverse mortgages and how this product may work for you. What's A Reverse Mortgage? The reverse mortgage was created in 2009 as the Home Equity Conversion Mortgage for Purchase (HECM) and is something that can be used by those who are older than 62.…
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07
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 7, 2016

Last week's economic news included reports on inflation, construction spending, the Federal Reserve's announcement regarding interest rates and several labor and employment related releases. Weekly reports on new jobless claims and Freddie Mac's survey of interest rates were also released. Construction Spending Rises, Fed Holds Steady on Interest Rates, Suggests December Increase Construction spending remained in negative territory for September according to the Commerce Department. The month-to-month reading decreased by 0.40 percent against the expected reading of +0.40 percent and August's reading of -0.50 percent. Approaching winter weather is a likely reason for less spending, but ongoing challenges with shortages…
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04
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips,

Buying a New Home? Use This Checklist to Ensure Your Finances Are in Order

Buying a home is a significant expense. It doesn't matter whether you're a first-time buyer or have experience. Unless you have a large pile of cash, you'll need to ensure your finances are in order before closing. In this post we'll explore four financial items you'll want to check off before buying a new home. Figure Out Your Current Monthly Budget First, you're going to want to sort out your monthly budget. If you've never done a budget before, start with something basic. Open up a spreadsheet or take out a piece of paper. Make two columns: 'income' and 'expenses'.…
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03
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Understanding How Mortgage Amortization Works and How It Can Affect Your Future

Whether you're just beginning to peruse the market or you've recently found your dream home, there's a chance you're already considering the lenders and loan terms that will work best for you. Amortization may be a less-familiar term when it comes to the layman's knowledge of buying a home, but knowing more about exactly what it means can go a long way towards a more secure financial future. Explaining Mortgage Amortization Amortization is the process of paying off your mortgage loan through regular monthly payments. While a portion of each monthly payment will go towards the price of the home…
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02
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Baby on the Way? Helpful Advice for Managing a Mortgage With Only One Parent Working

If you're dealing with paying off your mortgage and going down to a one-income family, it can be complicated to determine how to financially swing it. However, becoming a parent and managing a mortgage are quite common nowadays with maternity leave and the modern family. While managing a mortgage on just one salary can be a challenge, there are a few simple things you can do to make it work. Buy The House You Can Afford It may sound much too simple, but many people get so wrapped up in the concept of a dream home that they forget about…
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01
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

$500 Renovations That Will Boost Your Home’s Value and Speed Up Your Sale

The idea of home renovations when you're selling your home can be unpopular because of the cost and time that can go into sprucing up a place you're about to leave behind. However, making a few simple, economical touches can go a long way to capitalizing on your home's value and making a difference in dollars. If you're curious about cheap options for an easier sale, here are a few that may make the deal a little sweeter. Kick Up The Kitchen A Notch With all of the time that a family spends in the kitchen, it's unsurprising that it…
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