Blog

21
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Locked in a Bidding War? 3 Tactics That Will Ensure That You Reign Supreme with a Winning Bid

Bidding wars can be ugly, nasty things - but with the right tactics, you can come out a winner without having to double your offer. Welcome to basic training - today, you'll learn how to navigate the obstacle course that is a real estate bidding war and come out on top. Put these three strategies to use and you'll easily win the home of your dreams. Offer To Pay The Deposit In Cash It's not usually wise to make a down payment in cash, but paying cash for the deposit is a brilliant strategy that will put you first in…
Read More
20
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Can You Give a Relative a Gift of Cash for a Mortgage Down Payment? Yes – Here’s How

A new house is a major investment. Even if you have a mortgage, the bank and the seller will still expect a sizeable down payment. That's why lots of people regularly gift down payments to friends and relatives - it's a great way to help young people start out on the path of home ownership. But what are the rules around gifting down payments? Can you simply give someone everything they need? Although it's a generous thought, it's not always possible - here's what you need to know. Make Sure You Write a Gift Letter If you're giving one of…
Read More
19
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 19, 2015

Last week's economic reports included Consumer Price Index and Core index for September, the minutes of the FOMC meeting held September 15 and 17, and weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. The details: FOMC Minutes Hint at Looming Rate Hike as Inflation Lags Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting held in September suggest that while Fed policy makers have reservations about low inflation and labor markets, they may go ahead and raise the target federal funds rate from its current range of 0.00 to 0.25 percent. When the fed does raise rates, consumers can expect…
Read More
16
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Around The Home, ,

3 Autumn-inspired Decor Ideas That Will Spice Up Your Home

With the season of jack-o'-lantern's and crunchy leaves under foot, there can't help but be plenty of ways to integrate the loveliness of autumn into your home decorations. Whether you're looking for a simple touch or a statement that will completely define a room, here are a few ideas for highlighting the best the fall has to offer. Showcase a Seasonal Bouquet A vase full of flowers can add a lot to any room in the house, but a great way to integrate the season outside with your home is to make a bouquet that will utilize the best of…
Read More
15
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Buying a Home This Fall? Here’s How Your Choice of Neighborhood Will Impact Your Mortgage

If you're planning to buy a home in the next few months, you'll want to ensure you choose a great neighborhood to live in - not just because it can improve your quality of life, but also because it can help you get a mortgage. Neighborhood is a factor that lenders consider when you apply for a mortgage, which is why you'll want to consider a neighborhood's mortgage implications as well. Here's what you need to know about how the neighborhood you buy into affects the kind of mortgage you can get. A Neighborhood Full of Foreclosed Homes Decreases Your…
Read More
14
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, Home Seller Tips, Personal Finance, ,

How Much Should You Budget for Closing Costs? Let’s Take a Look

If you're in the market for a new home, you're probably trying to budget for all of the expenses that come with a home purchase. After all, the asking price isn't necessarily the entire amount that you'll pay - there are other expenses that will factor in to the final price. One such expense is your closing costs. Closing costs are the miscellaneous fees you'll pay when you sign the deal to buy your home. But how much do you need to save up for closing costs? Here's what you need to know. The General Guideline for What to Expect…
Read More