01
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Should You Get Pre-Qualified Or Pre-Approved For Your New Home Purchase?

Often times, home buyers can be disappointed when they find their dream home only to discover they are not able to get a mortgage to purchase the property. There are methods that potential buyers can use to ensure this does not happen to them. One of the options is to ensure you obtain a pre-qualification from your lender. It is important to understand the difference between a pre-approval and a pre-qualification. While both are helpful, they do not carry the same weight. What are the differences between these options? A pre-qualification allows a borrower to determine how much money they…
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27
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage

How To Successfully Use Your Down Payment to Achieve Your Home Buying Goals

When you are considering purchasing a home , understanding the lending guidelines regarding a down payment is important.  Here are a few key tips to consider: Gifting of a Down Payment There are some programs that will allow you to use a gift for your home down payment. However, before you assume this, make sure you talk to your loan officer. Generally speaking, the lender will require the person making the gift to provide a letter stating the money was a gift and does not require repayment. Windfalls as a Down Payment When people hit the lottery or come into…
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22
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

3 Great Homebuying Tools Millenials Have Available to Them Right Now

The economy seems to be heating up rapidly, but home loan interest rates are still at historically low levels. Real estate values have climbed a bit across the country, but low interest rates and affordable prices makes for an excellent opportunity for new homeowners to get into their first home before it rates and prices rise higher. According to the recent studies, there were 4 consecutive quarters of homeownership growth where new homeowners outpaced new renters.  The solid economic fundamentals are likely responsible for creating this excellent home buying environment. Over the past year, Millennials seem to be on board…
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22
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage,

3 Tips To Consider When Buying A Home With An FHA Mortgage

FHA loans are becoming increasingly popular these days as potential homeowners may not able to qualify as easily for conventional mortgages. The FHA insures some higher-risk loans, in turn allowing borrowers with low down payments and less than perfect credit to purchase homes and bolster the housing market. However, while getting through the loan process with an FHA mortgage loan is not necessarily more difficult than with a conventional or conforming loan, there are some issues that you will want to be aware of. Property Condition You can't buy just any property with a FHA loan, or any other loan…
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21
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Questions and Answers Regarding Escrow Accounts

Whether you are purchasing a new home or you are considering applying to refinance your home, chances are the lender will require an escrow account. These accounts are often a source of confusion for homeowners. In reality, these accounts benefit the homeowner and help protect the lender. What is an escrow account? Escrow accounts are sometimes called "impound" accounts. These accounts are set up to help manage payments of property taxes and homeowner's insurance. Depending on the individual requirements of the lender, you may be asked to pay as much as one-quarter of these upfront and they will be put…
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16
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage

Why Should One Consider Refinancing Their Mortgage Now?

Refinancing a mortgage is a golden opportunity to lock in today's low interest rate for the next 15 or 30 years. While interest rates now are still low, there's a good chance they may be heading up in the coming months. The Fed may not maintain the current bond purchasing level forever, and any changes that the Fed makes will likely affect mortgage interest rate levels. As interest rates remain near low for 30 and 15 year mortgages, homeowners can benefit greatly from a refinance. Several types of people in particular should consider refinancing. Carrying a high rate Anyone with…
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