18
May
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

What Fees Are Involved With a Reverse Mortgage? Let’s Take a Look

Investing in a home may be one of the most significant purchases you'll make in your lifetime, but many people forget that there are a number of other costs associated with buying a home. If you're considering a reverse mortgage and want to be clear on all of the fees involved, here are a few things you can expect to come across. Initial Home Appraisal Fee In order to ensure that you qualify for a reverse mortgage, you'll need to spend a lump sum up front to determine the market cost of your home. While the amount of this fee…
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13
May
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Wondering How Much Mortgage You Can Afford? Here’s How to Calculate It

Many people are aware of the financial commitment that is involved when investing in a home, but what that amounts to is different for every person. From what you can afford to what a lender will allow, there are plenty of details involved in determining the right home for you. If you're not quite sure what the right price is, here's how to approach home ownership and determine your debt-to-income. Calculating Your Debt-To-Income Ratio You may not know what your DTI ratio is, but it has a lot to with how much home you can afford. In order to calculate…
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06
May
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Honesty Is the Best Policy: Why You Need to Be Truthful on Your Mortgage Application

There are few things better than finding your dream home and being able to afford it, but simply because you've found the perfect place doesn't mean you should stretch the truth. It might seem tempting to polish your mortgage application a little in the hopes of making a better impression, but here are a few reasons why you should stick to the truth when signing off on your home. Your Credit History Tells All It can be tempting to bump up your salary or make some hefty deposits into your savings account. However, lenders will be taking a look at…
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19
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Til’ Debt Do Us Part: How to Get a Mortgage If One Spouse Has A Poor Credit Score

A poor credit history is a reality for many people, but it can be particularly daunting when it comes to investing in a house. Fortunately, if you or yours have experienced bad credit doesn't mean that you should be penalized in the future. If your spouse has struggled with bad credit in the past but you're both preparing to move forward and invest in a home, here are some tips for getting it together financially. Face The Music Many people who have bad credit are too scared to take a look at their credit report and broach it honestly, but…
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15
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

How to Calculate Your True Cost of Living and Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

A monthly mortgage can seem like enough of a financial responsibility on its own, but there are many factors involved in home ownership that affect its fiscal feasibility. If you're in the market for a house and are wondering how your income will stack up against the rest of your expenses, here's how to determine a home cost that's reasonable for you. Determine Your Down Payment Before you start with anything else, you'll want to determine the amount of money you can put down so you can estimate your monthly payments. The traditional amount for a down payment is 20%…
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06
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

The Pros and Cons of ‘Mortgage Before Marriage’ for Young Couples

There was a time when a higher percentage of people were married before they committed to buying a home together, but it's a lot more common to co-habit and invest in a home together. If you're considering the commitment of a mortgage without being married, here are some things to be aware of before you start searching the market. Relationship Status Won't Affect Your Rates It might seem like there are greater risks involved if two individuals purchasing a property are not legally bound, but it actually makes no difference to the mortgage lender. If two people are buying a…
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