15
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

Mortgage 101: Five Key Mortgage Terms You Need to Understand

From putting your home on the market to finding the lender with the best rates, there are so many things involved in buying a home that the terminology is just one more thing to add to the list. While there may be quite a few words you'll hear that may be unclear, here are a few you'll want to watch out for so you'll be prepared for home ownership. Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Often known as ARM, an adjustable-rate mortgage corresponds to the conditions of the market. This means that your interest rate will shift from day to day along with the…
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09
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Are You ‘Mortgage Pre-approval Worthy’? Learn How to Assess Your Finances in 10 Minutes

Finding the right home and the right mortgage can take a lot of time and energy, so it's important to consider whether you'll be prepared for approval before diving into the process. Whether you've had some financial setbacks or you just want to have an idea ahead of time, here are some ways to quickly determine if you'll be pre-approved for a mortgage. Do You Have A Down Payment? You may have heard that the ideal down payment amount is 20% of the cost of the home, but this doesn't mean you have to have this amount. However, it is…
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03
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Thinking About Refinancing Your Mortgage? 4 Ways to Ensure It’s Worth Your Time

If you're familiar with the real estate market, you've likely heard the term 'refinancing' and may be wondering what this can mean for your mortgage and your financial well-being. While refinancing can be a great benefit for those who are looking for a lower interest rate or a different mortgage type, here are the details on what it can offer and whether or not it will work for you. Acquiring A Lower Interest Rate The most common reason people consider refinancing their home is to take advantage of a lowered interest rate. While it might seem like a minimal savings…
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28
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

3 Mortgage Scams to Be Aware of and How to Protect Yourself From Them

It's easy to be enthusiastic and excited about the prospect of home ownership, but it's important to be aware that there are many ways potential buyers can be taken advantage of. From courses for homeowners to companies trying to make a quick buck, there are many things to avoid. If you're on the market for a home and are trying to find the mortgage that will best benefit you, here are some of the tricks you may want to be wary of. Forgetting About The Finances The amount of home you can afford and will be approved for largely comes…
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24
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

If Your Home Is Destroyed in a Natural Disaster, What Happens to Your Mortgage?

When you've been in your home for a while and have established a certain amount of equity, it can be a good feeling to know that you have an investment you can count on. However, with changing weather patterns you may be afraid of a natural disaster striking and what it could mean for your financial well-being. If you're curious about how this can impact your mortgage, here are a few things to consider. Determine Your Protection The thought of having your home adversely impacted by a natural disaster is bad, but it can be even worse if the proper…
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22
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Did You Know: 3 Reasons Why Mortgage Pre-approval Should Be Your Very First Step

There are so many details involved in the mortgage process that you may not be aware of what pre-approval is if you've just entered the market. However, pre-approval assesses your ability to make monthly mortgage payments and can be an important first step in the home-buying process. If you're currently contemplating a home purchase, here's why you may want to consider pre-approval first. Improved Agent Attention It may be a lesser-known fact, but it's often the case that many real estate agents will not spend the time or put significant effort into a homebuyer that has not been pre-approved for…
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