06
Jul
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

An Overview Of A Drive By Appraisal

If you are applying for a home loan of any kind, there is a high likelihood that your lender will require a home appraisal. An appraisal is done to figure out how much your home is actually worth because the lender does not want to lend you more money than you could theoretically sell the home for in the future. There are some situations where the lender might be fine with a drive/by appraisal. What does this mean? Comparing A Traditional Appraisal To A Drive By Appraisal A traditional appraisal is a very thorough process where the appraiser comes to…
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28
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

The Top Things To Know When Refinancing Your Home

If you are thinking about refinancing your home in the near future, you probably know that this is a great way to shorten the term of your mortgage while also saving money. At the same time, refinancing your home does not come without risks. Take a look at some of the top things you should do and what to avoid before you go through the refinancing process. Do Check Your Credit Score Always check your credit score before you begin the refinancing process. A surprising number of credit reports contain errors, and you need to correct any errors on your…
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24
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Can I Qualify for a Mortgage After Declaring Bankruptcy? Yes — and Here’s How

It may feel like a very daunting task to consider buying a home after you've declared bankruptcy, and there's no doubt that it's an uphill battle. Fortunately, while you'll have hard work ahead, there are things you can do in order to make your dream of home ownership a possibility. Whether you've just declared bankruptcy or some time has passed, here are some things you should consider before getting into the market. Wait It Out It might not be what you want to hear, but it's, unfortunately, the case that you'll have to wait at least two years before you…
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23
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

A Home Loan For an AirBnB Property: What To Know

If you are looking for a way to diversify your investments, you might be thinking about buying a rental property. One of the most common rental options is AirBnB. Given the number of people who use AirBnB, this could be a great way to generate a steady stream of short-term renters. On the other hand, can you take out a loan to buy an AirBnB property? There Are No Mortgages Specifically For AirBnB Properties First, understand that there are no home loans available specifically for AirBnB or VRBO properties. If you go to a lender and ask for an AirBnB loan, they will direct you to a…
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17
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Updating Your Home: The Top Options

If you want to improve your quality of life while also increasing the value of your home, you might be interested in updating it. You probably want to live in a home that is well-designed, and a prospective buyer wants the same thing. Unfortunately, performing a major renovation can be time-consuming and expensive, but there are more cost-effective ways to update your home. What are a few of the top ideas? Paint Your House One of the first ways you can update your home is to give it a fresh paint job. If you have an older home, a fresh…
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15
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Get Your Mortgage Paid Down Faster With These 5 Simple Money Saving Strategies

The monthly mortgage payment can be burdensome for many, but it's possible you've thought of trying to pay it down more quickly. Without getting a new job or working overtime, here are some tips you can use on a daily basis to save additional funds and pay off your mortgage at a swifter rate. Make Your Lunch The five or ten dollars spent on lunch might not seem like a lot, but over time this amount adds up to a lot of savings. Instead of hitting the cafe, pick one or two nights each week to prepare a lunch for…
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