04
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Can I Buy a Piece of Land and Build a House on It With a Mortgage? Yes — Here’s How

Have you been hunting for a new house without finding one that suits your needs? If so, one option that you may want to consider is building a new construction home on a choice piece of land. In today's blog post we will explore a few different mortgage options for those who are looking to build a brand-new home. Qualifying For A Construction Mortgage As with any mortgage product, the first step you will want to take is to begin the qualification process. As your lender does not have a completed house to use as collateral for your loan, qualifying…
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21
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

How to Run a Quick Financial Health Check Before You Apply for a Mortgage

Are you planning on using a mortgage to help cover the cost of a new home? If so, you will want to prepare your finances and figure out how you will manage all those wallet-draining monthly expenses. Let's take a look at how to run a quick financial health check to ensure you are ready to apply for a mortgage. Update (Or Start) Your Monthly Budget First, it is essential to get the basics out of the way. If you haven't already, it's time to start a monthly budget to keep track of your income and expenses. Once you have…
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19
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Mortgage 101: Understanding ‘PITI’ and What Goes in to Your Monthly Payments

Ask any friend or family member that owns a home and they will share that it takes a bit of management to keep all the expenses under control. Let's explore the concept of PITI and why it is vital to have a clear picture of how much your home is costing you each month. Just What Is PITI, Anyway? PITI is an acronym that stands for "principal, interest, taxes and insurance," which are the four main components that make up your housing costs. Principal - this is the amount that you are paying against the total amount that you borrowed…
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14
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

You Ask, We Answer: How Do I Know If It’s a Good Idea to Refinance My Mortgage?

Are you interested in paying less per month on your mortgage? Or perhaps you would prefer if your mortgage was paid off a couple of months – or years – faster? If you are a homeowner with a mortgage, one option that is open to you is refinancing. In today's post, we will explore the topic of mortgage refinancing and how to know if it is a good idea. How Does Refinancing Work? In short, refinancing is a process in which pay off your existing mortgage and borrow a new mortgage under a different set of terms. In most cases,…
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12
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The Pros and Cons of a Large Down Payment When Buying a Home

If you are in the market for a new home, one of the considerations you will need to make is how much to invest in your down payment. Let's take a quick look at some of the pros and cons of making a large down payment when buying your next home. A Large Down Payment Has Its Benefits If you have the funds available, you may find a bit of an advantage in a large down payment. The following are a few potential benefits that you may realize. You Can Afford More 'House' - if you are aiming for a…
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30
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

Make 2018 the Year You Escape the ‘Rental Trap’ by Buying Your Own Home

Are you growing tired of paying rent each month and not building your net worth? Being stuck in the 'rental trap' isn't much fun, but if you are determined, you can break out. Let's explore some of the steps that you can take to make 2018 the year that you become a homeowner. Rent Money Is Lost Money First – why homeownership? As you may already understand, money spent on rent is 'lost' money. Each month you pay your rent, but you do not build any equity, own any property or get any other benefits in return. When you own…
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