17
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Mortgage Shopping And Your Credit Score

The vast majority of people have to take out a home loan to purchase a house. This means applying for a mortgage. Unfortunately, shopping for a mortgage can actually hurt your credit score. Any potential lender will probably have to do a hard pull on your credit. This could temporarily reduce your credit score by a few points. Those few points could make the difference between qualifying for a mortgage and getting denied one. Fortunately, there are ways for you to shop for a mortgage without hurting your credit. Check Your Credit Score First First, you need to check your credit…
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16
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

What To Know About a 40-Year Mortgage

If you take a look at your mortgage options, you might find an option for a 40-year mortgage. Now, most lenders do not offer this as an option, but if you find yourself struggling to keep up with your mortgage payments, the lender may offer to restructure your loan into a 40-year term. Is this a smart move, and what do you need to know about this choice? Your Monthly Payments Get Smaller One of the top benefits of restructuring your loan to a 40-year term is that you shrink your monthly payments. By spreading out the loan over 40…
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12
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

The Top Reasons To Downsize When You Retire

If you plan on retiring in the near future, you might be thinking about moving. The kids might be grown, and you might not want to take care of such a large house. If that is the case, you should consider downsizing. When you downsize your home, you trade in your larger home for a smaller one. What are some of the top reasons why you should do so? 1. Bulk Up Your Retirement Account The first reason why you should downsize is that you will free up more resources you can contribute to your retirement accounts. If you have…
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02
Aug
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

The Top Tech Upgrades For Your Home During A Home Improvement Project

If you want to increase the value of your home, you might be thinking about conducting a renovation project. You can significantly increase the value and appeal of your home if you add some advanced technology. What are a few of the top tech upgrades you should consider adding to your home? Take a look at some of the top options below, and consider reaching out to a professional who can help you. A Smart Thermostat There are a lot of people who are concerned about cost-of-living increases. If you are looking for a way to save money, reduce your…
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29
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Why Millennial And Gen Z Buyers Are Struggling

Right now, it is difficult for people to purchase a house. Prices are very high, inventory remains at record low levels, and this is contributing to bidding wars. Even though everyone is having a hard time finding a house, Millennials and Gen Z buyers are struggling more than other people. What are some of the biggest hurdles that these buyers need to overcome?  A Lack Of Familiarity One of the first problems that Millennials and Gen Z buyers have to overcome is a tremendous lack of familiarity with the housing market. Many people that fall into this category are buying…
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27
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

The Top Questions To Ask A Mortgage Lender

With many people interested in taking out a home loan, it is critical for potential homeowners to think carefully about which loan structure is right for them. There are a lot of home loan options out there, and potential homeowners need to make sure they consider the benefits and drawbacks of all options. This means asking the right questions. What questions do you need to ask your mortgage lender? How Big Of A Down Payment Do I Need? The first question you need to ask your mortgage lender is about the down payment you need to make. A smart rule of thumb…
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