09
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Taking Out a Mortgage for the First Time? Learn Why a Condo Might Be a Great First Home

Are you starting to tire of paying your monthly rent to someone and never building any equity? Renting forever can be a significant pain, especially as you're contributing to someone else's financial well-being. The good news is that there are affordable real estate options out there for those investing in their first home. Below we will share a few excellent reasons why an apartment or condo might be the best choice for a first-time home buyer. A Manageable Monthly Payment In most markets across the country, condos and apartments are available at a significantly lower cost than a full-sized house.…
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07
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Considering a New Home Next Year? Start Now and Get a Jump on Improving Your Credit Score

In the market for a new home in 2018? With the new year just a few short weeks away, that leaves you with precious little time to get your finances in order. Let's explore a few tips that will help you get a jump on improving your credit score before the end of the year. Grab A Fresh Copy The first step is to order a fresh copy of your credit report from one of the major agencies. The Fair Credit Reporting Act allows you to access a free copy of your credit report once every 12 months. So, if…
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02
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Mortgage 101: How Interest-Only Mortgages Work and Why They’re A Good Solution for Some Buyers

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or an experienced real estate investor, if you are planning to borrow funds to buy a home you will want to choose the right mortgage product. In today's blog post we'll explore how interest-only mortgages work and why they're the perfect choice for some homebuyers. How Interest-Only Mortgages Differ From Conventional Ones As the name suggests, interest-only mortgages are loans where you are only required to pay off the interest portion of the loan each month for some specific term. The length of these loans can be up to ten years, although five or seven…
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31
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

62 or Older? 3 Reasons Why a Reverse Mortgage Might Be the Perfect Financial Solution for You

Are you and your spouse starting to move into your retirement years? If so, you already know that you are going to need a solid financial plan for when your primary sources of income are no longer bringing money in. If you have invested in your retirement, you might be all set. However, what if your house makes up the majority of your net worth? Let's take a quick look at three reasons why a reverse mortgage might be a great way to unlock the equity you've built up in your home. Reason #1: This Is Your Last Home To…
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26
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Stuck in a Bidding War? 3 Ways to Win Without Busting Through Your Mortgage Approval Amount

Are you making an offer on a new home in a hot housing market? If so, one possibility is that you are going to end up bidding against other buyers who are looking to buy the same home. Unfortunately, in some cases bidding wars are inevitable, and they can be a significant source of stress. Let's take a look at three ways that you can win a bidding war without having to spend more than you can afford. Price Is Important, But It's Not Everything The first consideration to keep in mind is that price is important, but it isn't…
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24
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Man Vs. Machine: Why Using a Human Mortgage Professional Is Better Than Trusting an App

Are you currently house-hunting or plan to be in the near future? If you plan on using mortgage financing to pay for your home, you will soon discover that there's no shortage of options available to you. You can meet with a local mortgage professional, apply for mortgages online and even download mobile apps that promise to set you up with a mortgage. However, is every option equal? Let's explore why, in the epic battle of man versus machine, you will want to place your trust in a human mortgage professional. Human Mortgage Professionals Have Local Experience The first and…
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