Mortgage Tips
Simple mortgage tips to help you better prepare for the mortgage process and ideally save money on your mortgage.Should You Only Buy a House If You Can Afford a 15-Year Fixed Mortgage Payment?
I’ve already written at length about the pros and cons of a 15-year fixed mortgage, but some financial experts claim you shouldn’t even buy a home if you can’t afford this shorter-term mortgage option. You know, guys like Dave Ramsey, ... Read More »
What Is Home Equity?
Mortgage Q&A: “What is home equity?” You’ve probably heard the phrase “home equity” thrown around, likely during a fast-paced radio or TV commercial urging you to pull the equity out of your home. So what the heck is it, and ... Read More »
What Mortgage Has the Best Interest Rate?
Here’s an interesting question: “What mortgage has the best interest rate?” Before we dive in, “best” questions are always a bit difficult to answer universally because what’s best to one person could be the worst for another. Or at least ... Read More »
Why You Should Live in Your Home Until It Sells
A new study from Redfin proved what we probably all assumed was the case; vacant homes sell for less than those filled with stuff. There’s something slightly unappetizing about a vacant home, whether it’s the emptiness of it all, or ... Read More »
What Mortgage Term Is Best?
Mortgage Q&A: “What mortgage term is best?” Before you set out to snag the lowest rate on your purchase mortgage or mortgage refinance, you’ll need to decide on (or at least narrow down) a mortgage term. I’m referring to the ... Read More »
What Credit Score Do I Need to Get a Mortgage?
Mortgage Q&A: “What credit score do I need to get a mortgage?” If you’re thinking about purchasing a new home or refinancing an existing mortgage, you should know that your credit score is going to be a big factor. In ... Read More »
Why You Might Want to Skip the Starter Home
Some 45 million Americans are expected to reach the typical first-time home buyer age in the next decade, which is a fresh 34 years old. This is 7.4% more than the 41.8 million individuals currently aged 35-44, per a new ... Read More »
Do Mortgage Rates Change Daily?
It’s that time again folks, where I answer your burning mortgage questions. The latest mortgage Q&A: “Do mortgage rates change daily?” Mortgage rates are hot news right now, what with them hovering around all-time lows yet again but beginning to ... Read More »
Mortgage Lingo: 23 Terms You Should Know Before You Apply
Applying for a mortgage can be stressful, what with all the money that’s on the line. Oh, and the possibility that you could be denied entirely, perhaps while starting a family or attempting to relocate to a new state. Making ... Read More »
Mortgage Rates Just Had Their Best Week In Over a Decade
If you thought the low mortgage rates were gone forever, think again. Per Freddie Mac, mortgage rates just had their best week in over a decade, thanks in part to the latest Fed policy meeting. The popular 30-year fixed averaged ... Read More »