24
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage,

What Is A Loan Contingency: An Overview

If you are in the process of looking for a new home, you need to find the right one to meet your needs. Sometimes, you want to learn more about specific properties before you decide if it is right for you. As a result, a lot of prospective buyers will include contingencies in their home offers that may allow them to back out without losing their earnest money. What are a few examples of loan contingencies, and how can you use them to protect yourself during the process?  Examples Of Common Loan Contingencies Even if you have agreed on a…
Read More
20
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage,

An Often-Overlooked Trick Can Help You Afford A Second House

The whole idea of investing is to use a portion of your money now to get more down the road. It is important for everyone to diversify their investments, and you might be thinking about buying a second house to do so. Investing in real estate is a goal that a lot of people have, but how can you get started? It was challenging enough to buy your first house, so how can you afford a second one?  Use A Cash-Out Refinance To Buy Your Second House One trick that many people overlook is that they can actually conduct a…
Read More
18
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage,

How Do You Actually Write The Check To Buy A House?

After you have found the right house to meet your needs, you need to make the down payment to complete the transaction. Can you show up at the closing table with a suitcase full of cash? Of course, that would be a bit suspect, so that is not actually how it happens. What do you need to do to actually hand over the funds to buy the house?  The Down Payment Is Verified Beforehand First, understand that the down payment is usually verified before you agree to the deal. Your real estate agent will work with you and the seller’s…
Read More
12
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

House Poor: What It Means And How To Avoid It

There is a good chance you have heard someone described as being house poor. What exactly does it mean? It is important to understand what it means to be house poor and how you can stay away from it. House Poor Means Spending A Significant Chunk Of Your Income On Housing Being house-poor means different things for different people. In general, it means spending a significant amount of your monthly income on recurring expenses related to your house. A few examples include your mortgage, the interest on your mortgage, your property taxes, and HOA expenses. Owning a house can be…
Read More
10
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

The Most Commonly Forgotten Item On The Home Budget List

If you are in the process of purchasing a home, it is critical for you to make sure that you budget appropriately. Unfortunately, there are a lot of people who commonly overlook closing expenses. Even though it is important for you to have enough money for your down payment, you need to make sure you cover closing costs as well. What is included in closing costs, and how much money do you need to budget? The Recommended Amount Even though it is tempting to focus on the cost of your house, it is also critical to think about closing expenses.…
Read More
06
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage,

Pet Safety Checklist

Many people view their furry friends as members of the family. If you have pets at home, you need to make sure they are well taken care of. That means taking a closer look at an important pet safety checklist. What are a few of the most important items you need to include on this checklist if you want to make sure your dogs and cats are safe? Regular Checkups Are Critical First, you need to make sure that you take your pets to the veterinarian at least once per year. Just as you go to the doctor once per…
Read More