06
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Tips, ,

Why Your ‘Debt-to-Income Ratio’ Number Matters When Obtaining a Mortgage

If you are looking to buy a home, you may want to consider shopping for a loan first. Having your financing squared away ahead of time can make it easier to be taken seriously by buyers and help move along the closing process. For those who are looking to get a mortgage soon, keep in mind that the Debt-to-Income ratio of the borrower plays a huge role in the approval of your mortgage application. What is a Debt-to-Income Ratio? A debt-to-income ratio is the percentage of monthly debt payments compared to the amount of gross income that a person earns…
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27
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Buyer Tips, ,

4 Reasons Why Your Mortgage May Be Denied After Pre-approval

So you've been pre-approved for a mortgage – great! You've taken the first step toward becoming a homeowner. But before you start picking out china patterns, you'll want to keep in mind that a pre-approval isn't the same thing as a mortgage agreement. There's still no guarantee that you'll actually get a mortgage. But why would a lender deny a mortgage after pre-approving a borrower? Here's what you need to know. Sudden Changes In Income Or Employment History A number of mortgages will require borrowers to have consistent employment for a certain length of time. If you apply for an…
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30
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

The Top Ways To Keep Pests And Infestations Out of Your Home

There are a lot of pests that may try to make their way into your home, and they can cause significant health and safety issues in addition to detracting from your property values. It can be very difficult to remove infestations once they have infiltrated your home, so it is always better to prevent them from happening. What are a few tips you should keep in mind?  Seal The Doors And Windows One of the easiest ways for pests to get into your home is to crawl through open doors and windows. Therefore, you should start by sealing your doors…
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19
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Tips, ,

The Top Tips To Get Your Offer Accepted

The housing market today is very competitive, and you might be wondering how you can get your offer accepted. If the seller has multiple offers on the table, it can be a bit of a challenge. Many people assume that the best way to get an offer accepted is to offer the most money. Even though that is certainly helpful, there are several other tips you should follow to make sure your offer is the one the seller picks. Get Pre-Approved For A Mortgage First, you must make sure that you get pre-approved for a mortgage. Unless you are paying…
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06
Oct
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

What Are Conditional Approvals?

As you take a look at potential houses for sale, what does it mean if you see a house with a conditional approval? Does that mean you can swoop in and purchase the house with a better offer? Even though a conditional approval doesn't mean that the sale is guaranteed to go through, it does mean that an agreement is in place. An Overview Of A Conditional Approval A conditional approval is an informal acknowledgement that an agreement is in place between a buyer and the lender; however, the lender typically has to collect additional financial information to show that…
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09
Sep
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Tips, ,

Important Things To Know Before Signing Your Reverse Mortgage

There are many reasons people take out reverse mortgages. However, this option is usually considered by cash-strapped seniors who own their homes and are looking to ease the burden of their golden years. The beauty of reverse mortgages is that you'll receive money as long as you are current on property taxes and homeowners insurance. While this seems like an appealing opportunity, it's a decision that should not be made lightly. Not only is the reverse mortgage complicated in itself, but homeowners make all sorts of mistakes when they're too quick to sign the dotted line. So if you're considering…
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