home mortgage refinance

What’s the Best Re-Fi Program for You?

December 23, 2020

How to Make Sure You’re Getting the Best Rate on Your Re-Fi

Now that the election is finally over and a new president is heading to office, it’s anybody’s guess as to how long mortgage interest rates will remain low. Traditionally, election years can have an unexpected effect on the housing market, and if 2020 has taught us anything, it’s to expect the unexpected.

So if you’re thinking about refinancing your home, now might be the time to finally make the leap. But before you do, it’s a good idea to have a better understanding about the different Re-Fi programs out there, because there are several options that you will need to choose from. It also helps to know how to make sure you’re getting the best rate possible. In this guide, you’ll learn more about choosing the best Re-Fi program for you, and how to lock in the lowest rate. more “What’s the Best Re-Fi Program for You?” …

mortgage clause

What Is a Mortgage Clause?

November 18, 2020

A Mortgage Clause Helps Mitigate a Lender’s Risk

Most commercial real estate transactions include a standard mortgage clause amid the commercial property insurance policy documents. It is usually listed under Additional Conditions, and it details the obligations the insurance company must fulfill should the property be damaged or destroyed while still mortgaged.

As you might expect, this is an important clause because it helps protect the lender by giving them the right to obtain compensation for a loss on the mortgaged property. It even allows the lender to obtain compensation if the policyholder violated the terms of their insurance policy. more “What Is a Mortgage Clause?” …

mortgage points explained

How to Easily Explain Mortgage Points

October 26, 2020

What Are Mortgage Points and Are They Worth It?

To the average home shopper out there, there’s a lot about the mortgage process that’s confusing. By and large, one of the topics that seems to be the most confusing for people is the concept of mortgage points. Many home buyers have no idea what mortgage points are or how they work.

In this guide, we walk through an easy explanation of everything you need to know about mortgage points. By the time you’re done reading this short blog post, you should be able to make an informed decision about whether to buy them as you begin your home buying journey. more “How to Easily Explain Mortgage Points” …

open house for sale sign

Buying Your First Home: How Long Should It Take?

September 9, 2020

Getting Some Help for the Biggest Purchase You’ll Ever Make

Buying a home is complex process, and going through the many steps for the very first time can be even more difficult, especially if you’re not prepared. On average, the typical buyer takes 10-12 weeks to find the right home, and views about 10 homes before finding what they consider, “the one.”

Whether you got lucky on day one or you’re trying to figure out just how long the long process is going to take before you even get started, you’ll want to pace yourself through the upcoming marathon. Read the rest of this article now to learn more about just how long the home buying process should take when you’re doing it for the first time. more “Buying Your First Home: How Long Should It Take?” …

net zero home

Is a Net Zero Home Worth the Investment?

August 19, 2020

Climate Change and Net Zero Homes: A Likely Pair

With the climate catastrophe looming and more and more people trying to become greener as they reduce their carbon footprint, talk of net zero homes seems to be on the rise. We should point out here that by definition, net zero homes are homes that create as much energy as they consume, for a net energy consumption of zero or less.

This phenomenon is currently made possible through advances in solar power, which allows for people to build solar panel homes that absorb their energy directly from the sun. Combine this with energy-efficient construction, energy-efficient practices, and a little bit of luck, and you wind up with a net zero home. So is it worth the investment? Read on to find out.

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choosing a real estate agent

How to Choose The Right Real Estate Agent

July 15, 2020

Picking the Best Real Estate Agent for Your Unique Situation

Buying or selling a home can be one of the most exciting things a person will ever do. It can also be one of the most challenging experiences you’ll ever have. In the end, much of the difference between these two extremes comes down to the quality of your real estate agent.

A lot more goes into picking the right real estate agent than simply picking the person with the best online ads, the biggest company backing them, or the most years of experience under their belt. With all that in mind, here’s how to choose the right real estate agent for your home sale or search.

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buying in spring

Why You Should Buy A Home in Spring

May 13, 2020

Why Spring Might Be the Best Season for House Hunting

Spring is here, and in any normal year, it brings with it the biggest buying season the housing market will see. There are many reasons for this. Chief among them is that winter is the slowest season for the real estate market, typically because of the holidays and the cold seasonal weather.

Spring may be the hottest season in real estate and house hunting, but does that make it the best season for you to go shopping for a home? Let’s take a look at why spring is such a busy season for home buyers and sellers, why it may be the best time to buy, and why you might want to wait just a bit longer before you step into the market this year.

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preparing to sell a house this spring

Getting Your Home Ready This Spring to Sell This Summer

April 8, 2020

Will It Be a Seller’s Market for Home Sales This Year?

If you have your choice, most people feel that it is best to try to sell your home in the spring. Selling your home in the summer presents a number of challenges, including the fact that people may go on vacation or may be focused on entertaining their children or enjoying time off from work, and not really looking to buy a home.

But does that mean it is impossible to sell a home in the summer? Far from it! Plenty of people successfully sell homes in summertime, and the late spring and early summer months are considered by many to be the busiest time of the year for home sales. But either way, the time to start preparing is during the spring months. With that in mind, here are some tips for getting your home ready to sell this summer in the spring.

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tiny house mortgage

A Guide to Mortgaging a Tiny Home in 2020

March 25, 2020

Considering a Mortgage to Buy Your First Tiny Home?

The tiny house movement has been growing steadily over the past few years, as people try to reduce their carbon footprint and realize they often have much more home than they really need. Whether you buy an existing tiny house or you get a little plot of land and buy your own, you can reduce your costs considerably when you go down this road to homeownership.

Unfortunately, while a tiny home is much cheaper than a traditional size home, they are still not exactly pocket change. Because of the small return, it can be tough to get a mortgage lender interested in helping someone out with a mortgage loan. That does not mean, however, that getting a mortgage loan for a tiny home is impossible. In 2020, as tiny homes continue to gain acceptance, you may have even more options than ever before.

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