first time mortgage

What Do I Need to Know Before Getting My First Mortgage? 

April 13, 2022

Read This Article Before Shopping for Your First Mortgage

Buying your first home is one life’s most rewarding and memorable experiences. But if you aren’t careful, it can wind up being an experience that you may regret for years to come.

Whether you have a positive experience or a negative one will likely be determined by how prepared you are for the process. As always, the more you know, the better off you will be and the more likely you will be able to avoid many of the common pitfalls that can turn the mortgage process into a nightmare.

So, here’s some of the most important things you need to know before you start applying for your first mortgage. more “What Do I Need to Know Before Getting My First Mortgage? “ …

mortgage interest rates 2022

2022 Mortgage Interest Rates: Examining the Fed’s Decision to Start Interest Rate Hikes

March 23, 2022

What’s Behind the Fed’s Decision to Raise Interest Rates?

April 2010 was the last time the national mortgage interest rate sat above 5%. Since that time, the rates have dropped to historic lows, reaching its all-time low of 2.68% in December 2020. But since that landmark was reached, the interest rate has slowly but surely inched its way closer to 4% and if the experts are right, we could very well see interest rates higher than that by year’s end.

This has left many wondering why the Fed is choosing now to change course and start increasing interest rates. Here’s the basics of what we know, so you can speak with your mortgage lender from an informed position, and receive proper guidance and advice as we progress through 2022. more “2022 Mortgage Interest Rates: Examining the Fed’s Decision to Start Interest Rate Hikes” …

refinance mortgage

When Is the Best Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?

February 19, 2022

Knowing the Best Mortgage Option for You

Choosing to refinance your mortgage can help you save a lot of money on your monthly mortgage payment, but just how much you can save all depends on when you choose to refinance. It is also important to note that just because you might be saving on your mortgage payment, refinancing might not always be in your best interest depending on your circumstances.

If you are wondering, when is the best time to refinance your mortgage, then here are some things you should be thinking about that will help you make the best decision for your current and future housing needs. more “When Is the Best Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?” …

finding the right realtor

What Should You Look for in a Realtor When Buying Your First Home?

January 19, 2022

What Makes a Great Realtor?

Buying your first home can either be a pleasant experience or one that is wracked with stress and frustration. Quite often, the experience you’re left having is largely impacted by one person – your realtor. Choose the right realtor and they will help calm your concerns and get into the home of your dreams with the least amount of struggle. But choose the wrong one, and you can face a wide range of issues, including potentially losing the house you want so badly to buy.

So, in essence who you choose as your Realtor is just as important a choice, if not more so, as which home you choose to buy. Luckily, there are a few things to keep an eye out for that can help you make the right decision when choosing a Realtor to help you buy your first home. more “What Should You Look for in a Realtor When Buying Your First Home?” …

winter home buying tips

Don’t Make These Mistakes When Trying to Purchase a Home During the Winter

December 20, 2021

Common Mistakes to Avoid Purchasing Your Winter Home During

Winter is a great time to purchase a home because there’s less competition, sellers are anxious to sell, and the odds of getting a good deal on a home is higher than it is in summer. But this doesn’t mean that buyers shouldn’t practice caution when choosing a home to purchase during this time of year.

As you will see, there are some mistakes that can be made that can turn your dream of home ownership into a nightmare. Here are three common mistakes you will definitely want to avoid when you’re trying to purchase a home during the winter. more “Don’t Make These Mistakes When Trying to Purchase a Home During the Winter” …

homeowners insurance

What Kind of Insurance Will I Need When Buying My First Home?

November 17, 2021

Insurance Types for First-Time Home Buyers

For most Americans, buying their first home will be the single largest investment of their lives. And, since it takes up to 30 years before the home’s ownership is transferred from the bank to the buyer, it is only natural for both the buyer and the lender to want to protect that investment and minimize their risks. Therefore, every mortgage lender requires a home buyer to have homeowners’ insurance before they can close on their new home.

Unfortunately, insurance can be one of the more complex and confusing aspects of buying a first home, because not every home buyer needs the same type of policy. In this post, you’ll learn more about the types of insurance you might need when buying your first home. more “What Kind of Insurance Will I Need When Buying My First Home?” …

homeowners insurance guide

A Guide to Homeowner’s Insurance

October 13, 2021

A Guide to Homeowner’s Insurance

For the first-time home buyer, it can be easy to get overwhelmed with all the details and requirements involved in the process of buying their first home. And for many, understanding homeowner’s insurance and everything that goes along with it can be one of the most confusing.

In this post, you will learn everything you need to know about this important mortgage requirement, including why you need to have it, the different types, common coverage options, and more. more “A Guide to Homeowner’s Insurance” …

buying home first mortgage

What Does My Income Have to Be to Qualify for a Home Mortgage Loan?

September 15, 2021

What Does My Income Have to Be to Qualify for a Home Mortgage Loan?

If you are planning on purchasing your first home, then there are probably a lot of questions you have about the process and what it takes to qualify. For example, one of your most pressing questions might be – what does my income have to be to qualify for a home mortgage loan?

The answer to this question isn’t always the easiest to pin down because every home buyer is different, and their choice of mortgage product can also play a role. more “What Does My Income Have to Be to Qualify for a Home Mortgage Loan?” …

overpaying for home

5 Telltale Signs You’re Paying Too Much for a House

August 30, 2021

Are You Paying Too Much for Your Home?

Buying a home is one of life’s most complex experiences. Over the course of the entire process, your emotions can easily run the gamut from excitement to being stressed out to frustration and back to excitement again, often multiple times over.

Just like buying a new car, it can be all-too-easy to fall in love with a home and get caught up in the whirlwind of negotiations, especially when you’re buying in a seller’s market. Unfortunately, it is only after the excitement wanes and reality starts creeping back in that you might start wondering if you just might be paying too much for the home.

If you are entering the buyer’s market and want to ensure that you don’t get caught overpaying for your new home, here are five telltale signs to watch out for. more “5 Telltale Signs You’re Paying Too Much for a House” …

home inspection pros cons

The Pros and Cons of Waiving Your Home Inspection When Buying

July 27, 2021

Understanding the Value of a Home Inspection

Buying a home is one of the largest investments most people make in their lives. For this reason, buyers should want to know everything there is to know about the property they will be paying for over the next 30 years.

This is why home inspections exist. They provide the prospective buyer with greater insight into the state of most of the home’s primary elements. While a home inspection is important and recommended, there may be occasions where a buyer may choose to waive the inspection.

In today’s post, we share the pros and cons of waiving your home inspection when buying. more “The Pros and Cons of Waiving Your Home Inspection When Buying” …