Mortgage Tips
Simple mortgage tips to help you better prepare for the mortgage process and ideally save money on your mortgage.What Is Mortgage Protection Insurance? And Do You Need It?
So you just closed on your mortgage and you’re beginning to settle into your new home (and your new loan). You’re assessing the many things that will need to be fixed and changed to make your house a home. Then ... Read More »
Do You Need 20% Down to Buy a House?
It’s been some time since I’ve done mortgage Q&A, so without further delay, let’s explore the following question: “Do you need 20% down to buy a house?” If you chat with anyone older than 50 (maybe 60), they’ll probably tell ... Read More »
Is It Really Such a Great Time to Sell a House?
We’ve heard it for years now – that it’s a seller’s market. And it’s hard to argue that fact with home prices hitting new nominal highs in many states across the nation, month after month. If you’re a seller these ... Read More »
An FHA-to-Conventional Refinance May Allow You to Ditch MIP
While refinance applications seem to be taking a backseat to purchase applications, there are still some good reasons to refinance your mortgage, even if rates aren’t currently at their best. First off, let me preface this with the fact that ... Read More »
The 5/5 ARM Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage for the Faint of Heart
There’s a popular new loan in town that a lot of credit unions seem to be offering known as the “5/5 ARM,” which essentially replaces the more aggressive 5/1 ARM that continues to be the mainstay at larger banks and ... Read More »
Pay Down Your Debts Before You Apply for a Mortgage to Increase Purchasing Power
With home prices (and interest rates) on the rise, it’s getting more and more difficult to qualify for a mortgage. One simple strategy you can employ to boost your purchasing power is to pay down existing debts. I’ve already warned ... Read More »
2017 Mortgage Rates Are Expected to Stay in the 4% Range
Before you panic, take comfort in the fact that mortgage rates probably won’t do too much in 2017, just as they haven’t in recent years, despite stark predictions telling us otherwise. I went ahead and compiled the 2017 mortgage rate ... Read More »
Would You Rather Have a Low Mortgage Rate or Pay a Lower Price for a Home?
My friend asked me the other day if I’d rather have a low mortgage rate or pay a lower price for a home. I paused briefly, then said I’d rather pay less for the home. My thought process was basically ... Read More »
2017 Mortgage and Real Estate Predictions
Well, another year has passed, and not just any year. Some have referred to 2016 as the worst year ever, though I’m a little more optimistic. Anyway, it’s time to look forward to see what the future holds for mortgages ... Read More »
Is the 30-Year Fixed Mortgage Actually a Lot of Work?
I typically refer to the 30-year fixed mortgage as a set-it-and-forget-it type of mortgage because it’s fixed for the entire duration of the loan. The mortgage rate in month one is the same as the rate in month 360. The ... Read More »
