13
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

What You Need to Know About Mortgage Insurance

Homeowners insurance and title insurance may not be the only kinds of insurance you need when you buy a home. Many buyers also have to purchase mortgage insurance, which lenders require for mortgages with a down payment of less than 20 percent. Take the time to understand what you're buying and how long it will affect you. Mortgage Insurance Protects the Lender Most types of insurance will pay you if you make a claim. Mortgage insurance, though, is solely for the lender. If you were to stop making payments and the lender foreclosed on your home, the mortgage insurance would…
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08
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

3 Reasons Why Buying an Investment Property Is the Best Way to Build Your Net Worth

Whether you have recently graduated from college or are getting close to retirement, it's likely that you have given some thought as to how you can grow your net worth. You might have invested in stocks, picked up a few bonds or have a 401(k) plan set up to help fund your retirement. But have you considered buying real estate as part of your portfolio? In today's blog post we'll have a look at three reasons why real estate investing is one of the most effective ways to grow your overall net worth. Reason #1: It Generates Passive Income One…
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06
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The 4-Step Financial Checkup to Get Ready for a Mortgage in 2018

Are you ready to join the ranks of homeowners in our local community? Congratulations – homeownership is a big step towards building your net worth and financial freedom. However, it is also a significant transaction that will affect your finances for the foreseeable future. Let's take a look at a quick four-step checklist that will help you to get ready to buy a home with a mortgage in 2018. Step 1: Set Up A Monthly Budget It might sound a little basic, but the best first step is to commit to a monthly budget. After you buy a home using…
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02
Feb
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

What Is Mortgage Insurance and How Does It Benefit Me? Let’s Take a Look

Are you in the market for a new home? If you are considering a mortgage, you may be curious about mortgage insurance, commonly referred to as PMI or MI. Let's explore the topic of mortgage insurance, including how it works to reduce risk and how it benefits you as the mortgage borrower. Mortgage Insurance = Risk Reduction You might not know this, but the toughest part of the home buying process for many individuals and families is coming up with the required down payment. For example, if you were to buy a $200,000 home, you may want to invest $40,000…
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26
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

3 Reasons You Might Consider Refinancing Your Mortgage in Early 2018

If you are a homeowner who has had their mortgage for a few years, you may be starting to wonder about refinancing. In essence, this is the process of retiring your current mortgage and taking out a new one because the terms are more favorable to you. Below we will share three reasons why you might want to look at refinancing your mortgage this year. Let's get started. Can You Use Some Extra Cash? Ask yourself: if you had some extra money on hand, how would you use it? Many homeowners refinance to pull out some of the equity value…
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25
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

In a Hurry to Buy a Home? Speed Your Mortgage Approval up by Following This Checklist

Have you finally found your dream home after months of searching, only to discover that the seller has received other offers? Few circumstances can raise your stress level as much as finding yourself in a bidding war against another buyer. However, being unprepared by not having your finances in order can make the situation even worse. Let's take a quick look at a few ways that you can speed up your mortgage approval if you are in a hurry to buy your next home. Pull Your Credit Report ASAP The first step you will want to do is check your…
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