Should You Consider Owner Financing
With over 90% of mortgage loans owned or guaranteed by the U.S. government, lending requirements have tightened to the point that many otherwise qualified borrowers are unable to buy a home, especially with higher credit score and down payment requirements as well as private mortgage insurance. FHA loans, for example, require mortgage insurance on every…
Read MoreWhy Loans Are Still Hard To Get
In the early days, if you wanted a mortgage loan, you had to have a job, some down payment money and good credit. While that's still true today, loans are more difficult to get. Lenders look for more information about you, making the process take longer than it used to. If you're wondering why, the…
Read MoreBuying Is a Bargain, But Renting Remains Expensive
Buying a home remains a real bargain compared to renting in most areas nationwide, as the share of income typically needed to afford the average home is much lower today than it was in the past. But while buying a home is a great deal, for those current renters looking to buy — particularly millennials…
Read MoreThe Best Advice For First-Time Home Buyers
Before you start seriously shopping for a home, there's some groundwork you should do to put yourself in the best position to buy a home. Start early, a couple of months before you talk to a lender or hire a real estate professional. Check and repair your credit The Fair Credit Reporting Act requires the…
Read MoreLandscape Tips to Attract Buyers
A functional and beautiful kitchen, flowing floor plan, plenty of storage, and spacious master bathroom will help win buyers’ hearts. However, often before they see those areas, they see your landscape. It’s the curb appeal theory that I’m talking about. Some buyers will decide based on the look of the outside of your home whether…
Read MoreSimple Ways to Reduce Your Use
It’s official: California is in a drought. As dry conditions continue, some regions throughout the state are being severely impacted. The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission (SFPUC) has requested that its water customers, including its 26 wholesale water customers, reduce water consumption by at least 10%. Here are some simple ways to reduce your use:…
Read MoreUnderstanding Closing Costs
If you’ve embarked on the process of buying a new home, you’ve probably noticed that there is a lot of real estate lingo that gets thrown around by your agent, lender, and anyone else associated with the purchase. It’s important for you to understand the ins and outs of the process. Take closing costs, for…
Read MoreCan Paying Off Your Mortgage Early Damage Your Net Worth
Just about every homeowner has experienced the same sensation at one time or another: The excitement of a home purchase is deflated at the closing table when the closing agent slides over the Truth in Lending Statement that shows just how much money the loan will cost over the term of the loan. It is…
Read MoreNine Reasons to Love Your Mortgage
Recently bought a house? Here are nine ways to think about that debt you just took on. 1. It's your cheapest way to borrow. I'm not crazy about carrying debt. But if you need to borrow, a mortgage is the way to go. The interest incurred is typically tax-deductible and the rate should be low,…
Read MoreTry An Energy Efficient Loan
With new home production still well below annual historical averages, chances are you're buying an older homes that needs some work. Believe it or not, there are loans out there that might suit your needs. If you're planning to replace systems or appliances, consider an energy-efficient loan. Energy Efficient Mortgages, also known as EEMs, are…
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