16
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Deciding Whether To Move or Refinance: Which Is The Better Option?

There are a lot of people who are wondering if now is the right time to move or refinance their current home loan. With interest rates still favorable, a lot of homeowners have the potential to save a lot of money if they are able to secure a home loan with a lower interest rate. There are two ways homeowners can secure a home loan with a lower interest rate. The first is to refinance. The second is to move. Which option is better? There are a few key points to keep in mind. Taking A Closer Look At Refinancing There…
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15
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Do You Have Enough Of A Down Payment Saved Up?

If you are planning on purchasing a home in the near future, you need to make sure you have enough money saved up. While there are a lot of expenses that go along with purchasing a home, the biggest expense is the down payment. The common belief is that people have to put 20 percent down; however, even if you don’t have 20 percent saved up, you might still be able to purchase a home. It will depend on whether you can get a lender to provide a loan that is greater than 80 percent of the purchase price of…
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08
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Understanding Appraisals and What to Do If Your Home Doesn’t Appraise for Its Purchase Price

It can be a bit of a surprise if your home turns out to be valued at less than the purchase price offered, but this is the type of thing that can occur in an appraisal situation. While this can change everything from your contract to the amount of your down payment if your home has been appraised at less than you envisioned, here are some options you may want to consider. Review The Appraisal Contingency Clause If an appraisal contingency clause is built into the terms of your contract, this means that the terms of your contract can be…
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03
Jun
By Jim Hasek
Homebuyer Tips, ,

In The Current Housing Market, Prospective Buyers Must Remain Patient

The housing market has been through many ups and downs during the past 12 months. Now, buyers are facing a unique challenge as they try to find the right house in the perfect seller’s market. Right now, real estate is extremely competitive, as low inventory has continued for several months. As mortgage rates remain low, more people are looking for homes, increasing the competition. Some people are reluctant to sell because they know they will face the same challenges of trying to find a new home themselves. As a result, the housing market has record-low inventory making it difficult for…
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27
May
By Jim Hasek
Mortagage Tips, ,

Is Now The Time To Refinance Your Mortgage?

To refinance a mortgage means to pay off your existing loan and replace it with a new one. There are many reasons why homeowners opt to refinance, from obtaining a lower interest rate, to shortening the term of the loan, to switching mortgage loan types, to tapping into home equity. Each has its considerations. Lower Your Mortgage Rate Among the best reasons to refinance is to get access to lower mortgage rates. There is no "rule of thumb" that says how far rates should drop for a refinance to be sensible. Compare your closing costs to your monthly savings, and…
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20
May
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Pantone Colors: Should You Repaint Before You Sell?

Pantone is a universal language of color that you can use to select beautiful colors to paint the home. Interestingly, each year, Pantone selects a color of the year that embodies what's happening in society.  In 2021, the Pantone color of the year was awarded to two colors, Illuminating 13-0647 and Ultimate Gray 17-5104. These two colors highlight how two different elements can come together and support each other. This is the thought behind selecting them based on what has occurred over the last year.  The bold yellow and deeper gray capture feelings of promise, friendliness, and thoughtfulness, which may be…
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