Blog

11
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 11, 2016

Last week's economic news included minutes of the most recent Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) meeting. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims were also released. FOMC Minutes Indicate Fed Not Pressing Rate Increases Minutes of the FOMC meeting held March 15 and 16 suggest that FOMC members are easing their enthusiasm for raising the target federal funds rate. In recent months, the committee has indicated that it was leaning toward raising rates on a slow but steady pace. Ongoing concerns over changing global economic and financial conditions contributed to FOMC's decision not to raise the key federal…
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08
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Can You Refinance into a VA Mortgage from Another Type of Mortgage? Yes, If You Qualify

VA mortgages stand out as one of the biggest benefits to men and women serving in the military. Although private lenders make the loan, the Department of Veterans Affairs guarantees all VA mortgages, which is why these loans come with favorable terms and benefits not found with other mortgage types. The Benefits Of Refinancing To A VA Mortgage A VA loan may very well be the borrower's only option for putting no money down, as many lenders will cover 100% of the value of the home, thanks to the backing of Veterans Affairs. There is a ceiling on the amount…
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07
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Seller Tips,

3 Psychological Hacks That Will Help You Sell Your Home Faster

From real estate agents to home buyers, there are so many tips out there on how to sell your home that it can be overwhelming to determine which tricks will boost your success rate and make the sale. If you're looking for a few sure-fire hacks for getting your home off the market quickly, the following may do a lot of the hard work for you so that selling won't remain a worry for long. Stick To A Neutral Palette Neutral colors like white and grey may seem like a boring approach to design, but they're actually a great way…
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06
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

5 Tips to Reduce Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

Buying a home isn't cheap – and even though mortgage rates are low, your own financial circumstances may mean that your monthly payment is more than you can afford. Whether you're a new buyer looking to save money or a cash-strapped owner who needs to free up extra income, there are several ways you can lower your monthly payments – here are just five of them. Make 13 Payments Every Year If you have some extra money and you're looking to pay down more of your principal amount, making 13 annual payments instead of the usual 12 is a great…
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05
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Budgeting for a New Home?: 3 Unlikely Costs to Consider in Your Overall Budget

If you're planning to buy a new home in the near future, you're probably working hard to prepare a budget and determine how much you can afford before you start viewing homes. While it's good to have an idea of what you can pay for a new house, many buyers routinely miss several key home buying costs that can later cause a variety of problems. Before you start looking for your new home, make sure you add these three commonly forgotten costs to your budget. Title Insurance: Critical Protection Against Title Claims Title insurance is something that most buyers forget…
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04
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Financial Reports, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 4, 2016

Last week's economic calendar was full of new releases including pending home sales, Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and construction spending. Labor related reports including ADP payrolls, federal Non-farm payrolls, and the national unemployment rate were also released along with reports on consumer confidence and weekly reports on mortgage rates and new unemployment claims. Case-Shiller: January Home Prices Up 5.7% Year-Over-Year According to the S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index for January, home prices increased by 5.70 percent year-over-year. The West led price increases with double-digit price gains posted for San Francisco, California, Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Denver, Colorado also…
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