Blog

09
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

First-time Mortgage Borrowers: Avoid These “Rookie Mistakes”

Many home buyers who are applying for their first mortgage will go to great lengths to research the options, learn more about loan terms and generally educate themselves about a process that they are unfamiliar with. Despite these common steps that rookie mortgage applicants make, they often make similar mistakes when applying for their first mortgage. By learning about these common mistakes, you can take steps to prevent making them yourself. Not Focusing on All Costs of Home Ownership Many first-time home buyers are overwhelmingly focused on setting up a mortgage payment that is affordable for their budget. While this…
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08
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 8, 2015

Last week's economic news included reports on construction spending, Freddie Mac's mortgage rates survey and several employment related reports. The details: Construction Spending Jumps The Commerce Department reported that construction spending reached its fastest annual pace since November 2008. Most of the momentum was caused by construction of apartments, commercial projects and roads, and construction of single family homes. Builders spent 2.20 percent more in April than they did in March, which equated to an annual outlay of $1.01 trillion for all types of construction spending. Analysts said that increased spending in construction indicated that the housing sector could see…
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05
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

Four Handy Tips for Managing Your Lawn Now That the Spring Rains Have Arrived

In many areas, the spring months mean warmer temperatures, more sunshine and plenty of beneficial rainfall that your yard may thrive with. These are prime growing conditions for your lawn, but they can also make lawn maintenance a challenge. By following these helpful tips, you can take better care of your yard during this rainy spring season. Re-Seed or Re-Sod Carefully The spring months are one of the best times of the year to re-seed or re-sod your lawn. If you have bare spots in your yard, these spots can turn into giant mud puddles during a heavy rainstorm that…
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04
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Which is Better: Bi-weekly or Monthly Mortgage Payments? Let’s Take a Look

When you apply for a new mortgage, your lender may ask if you want to set up monthly payments or bi-weekly payments. At one time, monthly payments were common, but bi-weekly payments are increasing in popularity. This is because they break a large expense up into two smaller and seemingly more manageable payments. In addition, you can also make what equates to a full extra payment on the mortgage each year with a bi-weekly payment structure. Before you decide which is best for you, consider a few factors. Your Personal Budget Many people may believe that if they get paid…
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03
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Buying a Home? What to Do if Problems Are Found During the Final Home Inspection

As a home buyer, you may go through a number of different steps to ensure that the property that you purchase is in great condition. For example, you may complete an initial walk-through or even several home tours before you make an offer. You may also order a property inspection and even negotiate for the seller to make some repairs on your behalf. A day or two before your closing date, you may set up a final home inspection to ensure that the home is still in the same condition as the initial walk-through. In most cases, there will be…
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02
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

An Insider’s Guide to Fannie Mae’s HomePath Program and Closing Cost Assistance

Home buyers today may be concerned about finding the perfect home to purchase, but they are also often concerned with the process of applying for a mortgage. The loan application process itself may seem daunting, but many are concerned about finding a great deal on their mortgage. This may include getting a great interest rate and finding a program with low closing costs. The Fannie Mae HomePath program and closing cost assistance program is a beneficial option for many, and you may benefit from learning more about it. What Is This Program? The Fannie Mae loan program has been around…
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