20
Jan
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

4 Steps to a Smooth Mortgage Refinance at a Rock-Bottom Rate

Right now is the best time to look at refinancing your home. Even if your current mortgage is as young as a year old, you might find that a refinance is in your best interest. Be Sure That A Refinance Makes Sense With today’s rates, refinancing makes sense for many homeowners, but it might not be the right move for you. Depending upon your mortgage, you may pay a penalty if you prepay early. Also, if you’ve paid heavily into your mortgage, refinancing into a new 20 or 30 year mortgage could cost you money over the long-term. The bottom line…
Read More
22
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage Tips, ,

How To Finance Your Home Improvement Project

If you have been spending a lot of time at home recently, then you might be getting tired of staring at the same four walls. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways for you to switch it up by financing a home improvement project. At the same time, home improvement projects can be expensive, particularly if you are targeting the kitchen. Therefore, you might be wondering how you are going to be able to pay for them. There are plenty of ways that you can finance a home improvement project, so take a look at a few of the options below. …
Read More
16
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Getting A Lower Interest Rate During A Refinance

There are a lot of people who have spotted the record-low mortgage rates right now and are wondering if they can refinance successfully. While many people apply for a refinance of their current home loan, not everyone will be approved. Furthermore, a home refinance is not the best option for everyone. Those who want to qualify for record-low refinance rates need to keep a few key points in mind. Be A Strong Refinance Candidate First, homeowners need to make sure that it is actually worth their time to refinance to a lower home mortgage rate. In general, homeowners want to…
Read More
05
Dec
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Should You Get A Second Mortgage To Pay For College?

College is expensive and everyone needs to think about how they are going to cover the costs. Some of the costs include tuition, room and board, meals, books, and spending money. In order to pay for college, some people consider taking out a second mortgage instead of taking out a student loan. How can someone know if taking out a second mortgage is the answer for them? There are several factors to consider. The Interest Rate One of the factors that people need to consider is the interest rate on the second mortgage. The higher the interest rate, the more…
Read More
13
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

6 Ways to Fight Foreclosure

Sometimes, things don't go as planned. Despite the best intentions, there are times when it's impossible for homeowners to fulfill their mortgage obligations. When your misfortune turns into a foreclosure notice, these tips will help you control the situation and realize the best outcome. Work With Your Lender Open the lines of communication with your lender to stall the foreclosure process. Call your lender and explain your predicament. Give them specific details about the nature and estimated length of your circumstances. Many lenders are willing to temporarily modify payment terms to temporarily accommodate certain hardships. Apply for a loan modification.…
Read More
12
Mar
By Jim Hasek
Mortgage, ,

Is Now a Good Time to Cash Out Your Home Equity?

For many Americans, their home is their primary investment. The equity stored in your residence can be a source of available cash for home repairs, upgrades, or for financing the purchase of investment properties. However, few homeowners really understand the process that results in home equity.  What Is Home Equity? Your monthly mortgage payment goes towards two different amounts. The first is the interest that you pay for the loan. The other is your principal payment or the amount that counts against the initial amount that you borrowed for the purchase. Depending on the details of your loan contract, each…
Read More