01
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

5 Uncommon Mortgage Terms You Need to Know

When it comes to finding a new home, there are lots of complex ratios, terms, and contracts that you'll encounter - and at times, it'll feel like you're trying to navigate a minefield. Here are five mortgage terms you may not encounter regularly that you'll need to know when buying a home. Escrow: Money Held In Trust To Pay Taxes An escrow account is a bank account that your lender maintains on your behalf. When you close your mortgage, you'll need to deposit a certain percent of your annual property taxes into the escrow account, which your lender will hold…
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27
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Struggling to Get Approved Because of Your Income? 5 Reasons to Consider a FHA Loan

Buying a home isn't cheap. But if you're determined to become a homeowner, the FHA home loan program can help. This loan program, ideal for first-time buyers with low incomes, can help you to build your credit and make home ownership a reality. So why should you consider an FHA loan? Here are just a few ways you'll benefit from these government-backed mortgages. You Can Get Approved With Just 3.5% Down Traditional mortgage lenders typically require you to pay 20% down on your mortgage, or 5% if you have good credit and agree to pay mortgage insurance premiums. But for…
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20
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

What Financial Preparations Should I Make Before Applying For A Mortgage?

Getting a mortgage isn't an easy thing to do. Before a lender will put down tens of hundreds of thousands of dollars, it wants to know that the borrower can handle the loan so that it will get paid back. to this end, there are three things that a potential homebuyer can do to prepare for the mortgage approval process. Managing Debts For many homebuyers, managing their credit score is the biggest challenge. Mortgage lenders like buyers with strong credit. While getting strong credit usually isn't something that can be done overnight, paying bills on time, all of the time…
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13
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

A Guide to Financing Home Improvements and How Mortgage Refinancing Can Help

If you're planning to remodel or renovate your home in the near future - whether to provide a better living environment or as part of a house flip - you'll need to find a way to pay for your home improvements. There are several different possible sources of renovation money, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. One option that is gaining popularity is mortgage refinancing. How does mortgage refinancing work, and how does it compare to other renovation financing options? How can you use a mortgage refinance to get the most out of your renovation? Here's what you need…
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05
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Approved for a Mortgage Quickly

If you're ready to buy a home, getting approved for a mortgage is a critical step that you can't skip or rush. And although it may seem like the lenders can be a bit arbitrary in their approvals, there's actually a detailed set of criteria they look for when approving or denying an application. So how can you ensure your mortgage gets approved quickly and without any hassles? Here's what you need to know. Do: Have All Your Documents In Order Right Away Processing the paperwork on a mortgage approval is one of the most time-consuming parts of getting a…
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28
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Major Mistakes Which Are Sure to Increase Your Closing Costs

When shopping for a mortgage, it is important to take closing costs into account. While some closing costs are the same for all lenders, different programs may add or reduce some of the burden borrowers face when closing on a home loan. Let's take a look at some major mistakes that could result in borrowers paying more than they need to in closing costs. 1) Failing to Take Property Taxes Into Account Property taxes are generally put into an escrow account that is established prior to closing on the home loan. In most cases, a homeowner will have to pay…
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