21
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortagage Tips, ,

Should You Buy A Fixer Upper?

If you've expressed any interest in buying a home that you can work on, your real estate agent may present you with one or two fixer upper properties for your consideration. Fixer upper homes can offer good value for certain kinds of homebuyers. But not everyone should buy a fixer upper. Here are some considerations to keep in mind. There May Be Unforeseen Conditions Until you actually get in there and start renovating, you cannot know exactly what is behind those walls. Fixer uppers could have unforeseen conditions that could blow away your renovation budget. If you do decide to…
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17
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Get Your Finances In Order With A Few Simple Steps

If you are looking to buy a home one day but don’t think you are ready just yet, you are not alone. One of the most important tasks that you have to complete involves getting your finances in order. There are a few ways to get your finances in order before you buy, no matter how long you have been waiting to buy a home. Getting your finances in order with these simple steps can help you become a more competitive applicant both for a mortgage and a home that is on the market. Focus On Your Credit Score While…
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10
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Tips, ,

4 First Things You Should Do After You Move In

Congratulations on moving into your new house! But hold on. Now that the house is yours, there are a few things you will want to do in order to make life in your new home more comfortable and secure. Before you plan your housewarming party, here is a list of the first things you should do after you move in. 1. Change The Locks As the new homeowner, you have no way of knowing how many others have keys to your new home. The previous owner may have made copies for their housekeeper, their parents, the babysitter, a neighbor, or…
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08
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Five Tips for Managing Your Monthly Budget to Ensure Your Mortgage is Paid On-Time, Every Time

Homeowners who are struggling to make their monthly mortgage payments can make it easier on themselves by cutting costs in other areas. Learning how to budget effectively will likely enable homeowners to pay their mortgage payments on-time, every time. Here are five of the best budget tips: Conserve Energy It is advisable to be mindful of energy use in order to keep utility bills down to a minimum. Lights, televisions and other devices requiring electrical power are best to leave off in unoccupied rooms. It is also a good idea to make sure that windows and doors are properly sealed…
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18
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Should You Buy A Home Warranty?

When you buy a new house, the first thing you want to do is protect your investment. You already have property insurance. Should you also buy a home warranty? What Is A Home Warranty? A home warranty is not the same thing as insurance. Home warranties are service contracts. If a covered item breaks down and it is covered in the terms of the warranty, the home warranty company will pay to fix or replace that item. What is Covered Under A Home Warranty? Every home warranty contract is different but generally, a home warranty may cover items like major kitchen appliances,…
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03
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

The Basics Of A Mortgage

The vast majority of people who are interested in buying a home are not going to be able to pay cash for the home. Even for those who can buy a home in cash, they often would rather take out a loan to avoid pulling money out of their investments where they would have to pay capital gains taxes. Those who take out a loan to buy a home will apply for something called a mortgage. Simply put, a mortgage is a loan that someone uses to buy a home. Mortgages are very specific to the real estate industry; however,…
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