With the recent lower interest rates, many homeowners are wondering if they should refinance. To decide if refinancing is the best option for your family, start by asking yourself these questions: Why do you want to refinance? There are many reasons to refinance, but here are three of the most common ones: Lower your interest […]
5 Easy Steps to Avoid Overwhelm from Media Overload
February 2, 2020 by ·
When someone is thinking about buying or selling a home, they want to be well-informed. They want to make the right decision for themselves and their family. They scour the internet for any information they can find about the housing market. Today, there is an abundance of information available. It is often conflicting news. It […]
What Buyers Need to Know About HOAs
January 25, 2020 by ·
When searching for a home, you may end up selecting a property in a community with a Homeowners Association (HOA). Before you buy, it’s important to know how an HOA works and what they mean for you. According to a recent article on realtor.com, “In a nutshell, an HOA helps ensure that your community looks its […]
TITLE INSURANCE: QUIET BUT POWERFUL PROTECTION
November 13, 2019 by ·
TITLE INSURANCE: QUIET BUT POWERFUL PROTECTION FOR BOTH BUYERS AND LENDERS When homebuyers get their closing cost estimates they inevitably find that a certain portion of their funds goes to pay for title insurance. Title insurance is seen by them and often by the real estate industry as a “necessary evil,” as how most feel […]
2 Myths Holding Back Home Buyers
October 30, 2019 by ·
Freddie Mac recently released a report entitled, “Perceptions of Down Payment Consumer Research.”Their research revealed that, “For many prospective homebuyers, saving for a down payment is the largest barrier to achieving the goal of homeownership. Part of the challenge for those planning to purchase a home is their perception of how much they will need to save for the down […]
Things to Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage
October 14, 2019 by ·
You have decided that you are going to take action to purchase your own home and have applied for a home loan with your Mortgage Loan Officer. Of course, you are going to obtain your Credit Approval from underwriting to ensure a smooth process. You’re undoubtedly excited and nervous about the opportunity and want to […]
4 Tips for Making a Competitive Offer
October 12, 2019 by ·
So, you’ve been searching for that perfect house to call ‘home,’ and you’ve finally found it! The price is right, and in such a competitive market, you want to make sure you make a good offer so that you can guarantee that your dream of making this house yours comes true! Below are 4 steps provided by Freddie […]
The Ultimate Truth about Housing Affordability
September 17, 2019 by ·
There have been many headlines decrying an “affordability crisis” in the residential real estate market. While it is true that buying a home is less affordable than it had been over the last ten years, we need to understand why and what that means. On a monthly basis, the National Association of Realtors (NAR), produces a Housing Affordability […]
Renters Paying Substantially More While Owning Costs Less
September 12, 2019 by ·
In a recent Insights Blog, CoreLogic reported that rent prices have skyrocketed since 2005. Meanwhile, the typical mortgage payment has actually decreased. “CoreLogic’s national rent index was up 36% in December 2018 compared with December 2005, while the typical mortgage payment was down 4% over that period.” Why the difference between the costs of renting versus owning? […]
3 Questions You Need To Ask Before Buying A Home
September 5, 2019 by ·
If you are debating purchasing a home right now, you are probably getting a lot of advice. Though your friends and family have your best interests at heart, they may not be fully aware of your needs and what is currently happening in the real estate market. Ask yourself the following three questions to help […]
