Blog

20
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Lowballing 101: How to Avoid Insulting a Home Seller when Making a Low Offer for Their House or Condo

Buying a home is a huge step for people who are ready to make an investment in their future. Getting a great deal on a home is just as important and knowing how much to offer could be confusing. It is important to make sure the home seller is not insulted by the lowball offer and is ready to negotiate to make sure everyone wins. Make a List of Necessary Improvements One of the best ways to validate a lowball offer on a home is to list improvements that need to be made to the property. If the home needs…
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19
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Scam Alert! Three Mortgage Modification Scams to Watch out for (And How to Avoid Them)

As if homeowners who are facing foreclosure don't have enough to worry about, a multitude of loan modification scam artists have invaded the internet, public files and even foreclosure notices in newspapers in hopes of targeting their next victim. By identifying the top three modification scams and learning how to avoid them, at-risk homeowners can protect themselves (and their homes). Never Pay For Mortgage Modification Assistance Many desperate homeowners fall victim to scam artists who offer to provide them with assistance in the loan modification process for an exorbitant fee. Many times the scam artist who promises to provide assistance…
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18
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Market Outlook, ,

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – Aug 18, 2014

Last week's economic news brought little housing-related content, but several economic reports in other sectors contributed to overall perceptions of the economy. In a speech given in Sweden, Fed Vice President Stanley Fischer noted that the economy might be in a period of "secular stagnation." This condition is expected to keep interest rates low for longer than expected. A survey of small business owners showed that confidence increased by 0.70 in July. Job openings for June increased from 4.60 million to 4.70 million. Readings for several reports fell shy of expectations and new jobless claims were higher than expected. Economic…
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15
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

Experiencing ‘Purchase Anxiety’? How to Calm Your Nerves Before Committing to Buy a New Home

Whether this is your first big purchase, or your family is moving to a new location or looking for more space, buying a home has its share of ups and downs. It's perfectly normal to feel anxious about whether or not you've found the right property. Here are some things you can do to make yourself feel more secure with your decision. Do The Math You've probably already done this, but it's okay to go over it a number of times to be sure. Factor in your household income and all the bills you expect to pay every month. Add…
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14
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Can’t Get Pre-Approved for a Mortgage? Here Are Three Tips to Try to Get a Mortgage Approval

Few people in the world can afford to pay the entire cost of a new home upfront, which is why banks and other financial institutions offer home loans. Also known as mortgages, those loans let you make monthly payments to pay off the money you borrow and the interest charged on that loan. If you can't get approved for a mortgage, try using a few easy tips. Improve Your Credit Score When you apply for a home loan, the lender looks at your credit history and credit score first. Your credit history contains a long list of all the money…
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13
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Mortgage Terms 101: Understanding ‘Cash-Out Refinancing’ and How to Determine if It’s Worth It

With interest rates remaining near historic lows for the past several years, many of your friends and neighbors may have already told you that they have refinanced their home mortgages once or even a couple of times. A cash-out refinance can provide you with several important benefits, but it is not the best option for all homeowners. By learning more about what a cash-out refinance is and what the pros and cons of this type of refinance loan are, you can make a decision that is best for your current and future plans. What Is a Cash-Out Refinance? When you…
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