07
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

3 Simple Tips for Boosting Your FICO Credit Score Before Applying for a Mortgage

There are a variety of factors that are involved in getting your mortgage approved, but few things will have more of an impact than your FICO score and the credit history that goes along with it. Instead of leaving your score up to chance when submitting your application, here are a few ways that you can boost your financial wellbeing and leave your credit score better off than it was before. Put More On Your Card It's important to put purchases on your credit card that you can afford to pay off consistently, but many people are not aware that…
Read More
02
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips,

Should You Pay Your Mortgage Bi-weekly or Monthly? Let’s Take a Look

Most homeowners look at their monthly mortgage payment as their largest cost per month, and something they must do to maintain a good credit history. However, you may have heard of bi-weekly mortgage payments and their ability to lower your debt load and help you pay off your mortgage more quickly. If you're wondering if bi-weekly payments are too good to be true, here's some information worth consideration. What Difference Does Bi-Weekly Make? Making a bi-weekly mortgage payment may seem to mean that your interest will be automatically reduced, but because the lender is not necessarily receiving that payment until…
Read More
28
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Did You Know?: 4 Factors That Can Delay Your Mortgage Approval (and How to Avoid Them!)

If you're currently buying a home and are stressing about the kind of home to choose and which lender to go with, it can help to clear up some of the confusion surrounding the mortgage process. While mortgage applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, here are some factors you'll want to avoid so the timeline of your approval isn't negatively impacted. Your Employment Status It goes without saying that the amount you bring in each month is a huge factor towards how much house you can afford, so having a part-time job, being self employed or even being unemployed…
Read More
25
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Refinancing Your Mortgage? Know These Key Terms Before You Sign Your Paperwork

When it comes to your mortgage, there are a lot of key terms that are important for every homebuyer to know, and this is no less true than when it comes to refinancing your most important investment. Instead of leaving what's unknown up to chance, it's important to be aware of exactly what you're looking at so you can get the best mortgage product available. If you're currently considering refinancing and don't want to get snared by unknown terminology, here are some terms you'll need to watch out for. Cash-Out Refinance This type of refinance is a transaction where the…
Read More
22
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

First-time Home Buyers: Here’s a Quick and Easy Guide to Your First Mortgage

Delving into the real estate market for the first time can be a very intimidating thing with all of the mortgage and housing options available. Whether it's market conditions or the amount you should be spending, there are a number of factors you'll need to be aware of. If you're just starting out and not sure where to begin, here are some points to consider that will set you on the right path. Is It The Right Time To Buy? Many people try to time the market, but the right time to buy a home is when it works for…
Read More
15
Nov
By Jim Hasek
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Applying for a Mortgage? 3 Easy Ways to Make the Process Easier — and Reduce Your Stress

There are more than enough details involved in getting a mortgage and moving into your own home that you'll want to know how to make the process as seamless as possible beforehand. However, there's a chance you might not be aware of the things you can do to make it a little easier on yourself. If you're currently looking for a home and are wondering how to streamline the approval process, here are some things to do before applying to minimize mortgage-related stress. Get Electronic Documentation In order to get approved for your mortgage application, you'll need to provide documentation…
Read More