Blog

16
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Understanding Mortgage Tax Benefits and How They Save You Money in the Long Run

If you're considering whether home ownership is the right decision for you, there are lots of different factors you'll want to take into account. Do you want to keep moving around, or are you ready to lay down roots in a community? Are you prepared for the additional upkeep that home ownership requires? But one of the big factors in home ownership that few potential buyers consider is the tax benefits of getting a mortgage. Although it may seem counterintuitive, getting a mortgage on a property that you own can reap lots of dividends come tax time. So how does…
Read More
15
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

3 Tips and Tricks to Make Mortgage Pre-Qualification Easy

If you're planning to buy a home, you should know that the mortgage pre-qualification process is the first in a series of steps that eventually lead to home ownership. A pre-qualification is different from a pre-approval - the pre-qualification meeting is simply you and your lender hashing out how much you can afford to spend on a property. But once you've been pre-qualified, it makes the mortgage process easier. So how can you make the pre-qualification quick and painless so you can get on with your house hunt? Here's what you need to know. Get Your Debts In Order One…
Read More
14
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 14, 2016

Last week's economic news included Fannie Mae's Home Purchase Sentiment Index along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. The City of Detroit also announced a program to help would-be buyers purchase homes that do not qualify for mortgage loans due to severe damage. Fannie Mae: Home Buyer Sentiment Index Rises Fannie Mae's Home Buyer Sentiment Index (HBSI) gained 1.20 percent for an overall reading of 82.70 percent for February. The index reading is calculated using responses to several questions contained in Fannie Mae's National Housing Survey. HBSI components include consumer responses to questions about whether it's…
Read More
11
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Ready to Move in to Your New Home? Not So Fast! Take Care of These 3 Items Before the Big Move

With the excitement involved in moving into a new home and all of the things that need to be done, it can be easy to forget a few important things before you load up the moving van. If the day of departure is drawing closer and you're mulling over the final details, here are some items you may want to check off the list first. Install A New Lock One of the most important aspects of home ownership is the feeling of security it automatically provides, so you'll want to change out the locks on the doors before you embark…
Read More
10
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Worried about Your FICO Score? 4 Easy Strategies to Fix It Up

If you're worried about your bad credit, you'll want to do everything in your power to improve your rating as quickly as possible - especially if you have a major purchase coming up. Improving your credit rating can give you access to better interest rates on mortgages or even help you to get that job you're after. IMPORTANT! If you are currently involved in a home loan transaction, speak with your trusted mortgage lender before taking any action regarding your credit! So how can you boost your FICO score quickly and easily? Here's what you need to know. Get Your…
Read More
09
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

It Isn’t Always a Clear Road after Pre-approval: 4 Reasons Why Your Mortgage May Be Denied

So you've been pre-approved for a mortgage – great! You've taken the first step toward becoming a homeowner. But before you start picking out china patterns, you'll want to keep in mind that a pre-approval isn't the same thing as a mortgage agreement. There's still no guarantee that you'll actually get a mortgage. But why would a lender deny a mortgage after pre-approving a borrower? Here's what you need to know. Sudden Changes In Income Or Employment History A number of mortgages will require borrowers to have consistent employment for a certain length of time. If you apply for an…
Read More