26
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Exploring Homebuyer Assistance Programs: Assessing the Options Available

The traditional rule of thumb is that you should put down 20 percent of the cost of the house if you decide to become a homeowner. Unfortunately, the thought of saving 20 percent of the price of a home for a down payment can be daunting for people who are trying to buy a house for the first time. If you purchase a house worth $250,000, this means that you would have to save up $50,000 to put down. Fortunately, there are multiple down payment assistance programs that can make it easier for people to afford a home.  The Traditional…
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20
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

A Checklist Of Documents You Need To Refinance Your Mortgage

If you want to save money on your mortgage, you might think about refinancing. Before you can complete the refinancing process, there are several documents you need to have. Make sure you have all of these documents organized before you go through the refinancing process. Basic Personal Information You need to have documents that prove your basic personal information. This includes your name, current address, and phone number. There are plenty of documents you can use to prove this information, and your current lender probably already has this on file if you are using the same lender to go through…
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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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14
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Common Fees During Refinancing

As interest rates fluctuate, you might think about refinancing your mortgage. This is the cost of taking out a new home loan to replace the one you currently have. If you get a significantly lower interest rate, you could save tens of thousands of dollars over the life of the mortgage. On the other hand, you need to think about potential expenses you might incur during the refinancing process. Because you are taking out another home loan, you may need to pay closing costs a second time. What are some of the most common expenses you might have to pay?…
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13
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Taxes And A Cash-Out Refinance: What To Know

If you decide to go through the refinancing process, there are several options available. One of the most popular options is a cash-out refinance. Essentially, you capitalize on the difference between current interest rates and the interest rate on your home loan to keep your payments the same while also drawing equity out of your home in the form of cash. You can use this money to fund your retirement, complete home repairs, or do a renovation project. Even though you can do just about anything you want with this cash, what do you need to know about a cash-out refinance…
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12
Apr
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Understanding Your Debt To Income Ratio: What It Means

If you are looking for a home, you might need to finance it using a lender, such as a bank or a credit union. There are a number of factors that will influence whether your mortgage application is approved. Then, these same factors will play a role in the terms the lender might offer you. One of the most important factors is called the debt to income ratio, or DTI. It is important to understand how this will impact your mortgage application. What Is A Debt To Income Ratio? Your DTI is important to the lender because this allows the…
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