Blog

08
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Seller Tips, ,

Let’s Talk Hardwood: Why Converting Your Home to Hardwood Flooring Will Boost Its Value

When a homeowner makes the decision to upgrade flooring in one area of the home or throughout the entire space, there are numerous materials that may be considered. While each material option has its unique benefits and advantages, many are drawn to hardwood flooring as an option. This is a material that has the potential to boost home value, and a closer look at its benefits will reveal why this is the case. A Durable, Long-Lasting Material With many flooring options, homeowners understand that the material will need to be replaced or upgraded over the years. With hardwood flooring, the…
Read More
07
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Start with the Basics: How to Create a Budget to Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

A mortgage is typically one of the biggest monthly payments and financial responsibilities that a person is responsible for. Mortgage payments usually impact the person's budget significantly for several decades or longer. While there are mortgage calculators online that can be used to estimate an affordable mortgage payment, it is important to start with a basic budget. A budget will allow you to more accurately determine how large of a mortgage payment is truly affordable before applying for a new mortgage. List Income From All Sources The first step to take to prepare a budget is to list all sources…
Read More
06
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 6, 2015

Last week's housing-related economic events included the Case-Shiller Home Price Index reports for April, the Commerce Department's Pending Home Sales report and a report on Construction Spending. In other economic news, Non-Farm Payrolls, the ADP Employment report and Consumer Confidence reports were released. Freddie Mac's mortgage rates summary and the weekly unemployment claims report were released as usual. Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in April The Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index reported that year-over-year home prices slowed in April with a reading of 4.20 percent as compared to the March reading of 4.30 percent. David M Blitzer, chairman of the…
Read More
02
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Rates, ,

3 Reasons Why the Lowest Mortgage Interest Rate Isn’t Always Your Best Option

One of the more common methods that home loan applicants use to find the best loan program available is to compare interest rates, but choosing the lowest rate possible is not always the best option available. In fact, in some cases, it may be one of the least advantageous options when all factors are considered. With a closer look, home mortgage applicants may decide to review other factors in combination with the interest rate to make a more informed decision when applying for a new loan. The Closing Costs Impact The Rate It is important to note that lenders can…
Read More
01
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slower in April

According to the Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index for April, home prices slowed from the March reading of 4.30 percent year-over-year to 4.20 percent year-over-year. David M Blitzer, Chairman of S&P Index Committee, said that home prices are not accelerating and characterized slower home price growth as "sustainable as compared to double-digit appreciation in home prices seen in 2013." The disparity between wage increases and home price growth was keeping would-be-buyers on the sidelines; so slower gains in home prices may bring more buyers into the market. Denver Claims Top Spot for Year-Over-Year Home Price Growth Denver, Colorado led home…
Read More
30
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Buying a New Home? 3 Tips for Being Approved for a Second Mortgage – and How to Manage It

Applying for a second mortgage is a great way to keep your down payment amount to a minimum and to keep more of your cash in your bank account. It can also help you to avoid making PMI payments, and some lenders may even waive escrows for taxes and insurance if you use a second mortgage instead of a higher first loan amount. Whether you want to enjoy some or all of these benefits, you may be wondering what it takes to set up a second mortgage. With a focus on these tips, you can more easily get the financing…
Read More
Skip to content