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Buying a house for the first time can be a daunting process, but it shouldn’t have to be! Long, detailed, step-by-step advice can make you feel even more overwhelmed and unsure about the process. Let’s keep it short and sweet with two simple steps you need to take when...
-
Seniors that live in a house can get money by setting up a reverse mortgage through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) allows those who are 62 or older access to their home’s equity as long as they’ve paid off the majority or all...
-
For the past 30 minutes, you’ve been waiting in line to use your home’s only bathroom and all you can think about is how badly you want to add a second. You might be daydreaming about how nice it would be to sunbathe on the outdoor patio only to...
-
Even with growing access to data that was formerly reserved only for the financial elite, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about how to use available financial tools to help reduce the anxiety inherent in the process of purchasing a home. Perhaps the most effective of these...
-
Buying a home is one of the most important – and intimidating – financial decisions you can make, and picking a reputable lender who can work with you is a key part of it. Here are some steps to finding the right one. Get your financial house in order....
-
To help negotiate today’s real estate market and mortgage, here are six simple steps to buying and selling your home: Use homebuyer programs Utilize the programs specific to your local area to help you buy your next home. Websites such as HSH.com can provide tools to those house-hunting of...
-
Are you looking to sell your home? Refinance? Just give your place a little spruce-up? Increasing your home’s value is important for a number of reasons. For example, higher home equity will allow you to borrow more money in the event that you apply for a home equity loan...
-
When buying a home, you’ll eventually find yourself in escrow. But what is escrow? It isn’t as scary as it sounds, but it can be a little complicated for a first time home-buyer. This guide can help you understand the meaning of escrow and how it works. Escrow Meaning...
-
If you are in the process of purchasing a home or if you’re planning to build a home, it is likely that you will be working with a mortgage lender to arrange financing. The process of securing a home loan can be complicated and confusing. It is important to...
-
If you are trying to find a second mortgage lender, you should know what qualities to be looking for. There are many different lending options for this type of loan, which can make it tough to choose. Here are a few things you need to look for in a...
-
To buy points or not to buy points? If you plan on having your loan for a while then you want to put more money down, buy some points, and get a lower interest rate. Even if you don’t know how long you’re going to have your loan due...
-
Refinancing your home mortgage is a major financial decision, but it’s also one that has the potential to save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Refinancing your mortgage can help you to pay less every month, pay your mortgage loan at a faster rate, or...
-
Most homeowners will say that the two best things about being homeowners are being able to say they own their own homes and not having to put money in a landlord’s pocket. An even better advantage is the equity you build in your home through the years—equity that you...
-
For the last 10 years or more, you’ve enjoyed living in your home. You may especially be proud of the equity you’ve gained on the home over time. However, because the house is becoming slightly dated, you’d like to complete some remodeling. We’re not saying we’d judge your paneling,...
-
Reverse mortgages have become more and more popular as the baby boomer generation ages into retirement. Unlike a traditional mortgage, a reverse mortgage uses your home as collateral against a loan that you can use to supplement your income. However, instead of receiving the proceeds of the loan in...
-
A reverse mortgage can help you get equity out of your house, but it’s a major decision to make. Picking a good lender can make the situation easier, smoother, and better overall. This guide may help you choose a great reverse mortgage company to help you get the money...
-
You’re applying for a mortgage and you feel overwhelmed by the acronyms, numbers, and terminology. You don’t know where you should start. Well, you’re not alone. The majority of people are almost completely in the dark when it comes to the finer points of their mortgage agreements and don’t...
-
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is a U.S. federal program that began in 2009. The goal of the HARP refinancing program is to help struggling homeowners refinance their mortgages. The following is a short history of HARP and how the program continues today. The Crisis After the U.S....
-
Mortgage escrow accounts are used to mitigate the amount of risk you may experience as you’re paying your mortgage, but that isn’t the only benefit. Here are some of the other advantages you gain by hiring an escrow officer to hold your mortgage escrow accounts. Convenience One of the...
-
Escrow might make you uncomfortable, especially if you’ve heard any bad myths about these types of accounts. Whether you’re getting an escrow bank account or an escrow account mortgage, these are some myths you should know before getting started. Escrow accounts keep you from changing your home insurance. Switching...
-
For a lot of seniors, a reverse mortgage is an excellent method to improving their financial situation during retirement. Reverse Mortgages are providing enhanced financial security, an improved lifestyle, and monetary aid to hundreds of older Americans. However, there are a number of disadvantages. Some of the disadvantages of...
-
As a home buyer, it is paramount that you learn the different types of mortgage loans to ensure you understand which one is the most suitable for you. If you understand the loans available, and which ones you qualify for, you will be better enabled to maximize long term...
-
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is an alternative financing structure that is meant to allow people who are up-to-date on their mortgages to stabilize their home purchase through refinancing. HARP is meant to focus on helping people who are unable to get traditional financing because of the declining...
-
Escrow is one of the best ways to avoid fraud, but how much does it cost? An escrow agent or officer can be someone from the closing company, an attorney, or a title company agent. It’s difficult to give a single price since the escrow agent fees vary and...
-
Escrow refers to money that’s held by a third-party on behalf of transacting parties. Many different types of escrow services exist outside of buying and selling properties. Most escrow companies have experience in these various types, but knowing what you need from your escrow agent is the first step...
-
Reverse mortgages are a home loan option for senior homeowners over the age of 62. The loan allows homeowners to tap into the equity they have invested into their home over the years to pay unexpected expenses or increase their quality of living. The equity in the home is...
-
A mortgage rate lock is a commitment the lender makes to an interest rate in the beginning of your loan application, which lasts for a certain duration while your loan is processing. If the rate fluctuates via market influences your interest rate for your loan will stay the same....
-
Homeowners considering refinancing of their properties may qualify for an FHA streamlined refinance loan, cash-out refinance loan, or a no-cash refinance loan. According to FHA loan rules, applicants for a new mortgage must meet the eligibility criteria, not be the same party as the original loan, and reside on...
-
Mortgage loans are financial debt obligations people enter into with a bank, credit union, or other financial institution as a way of purchasing a home. Home loans are one of the most common ways to purchase a home today. Unless you have the cash in a bank account to...
-
An escrow company is designed to prevent fraud when buying or selling a house, but how do you pick a company? You need to receive emails and documents required for closing in a timely fashion and be able to communicate with the sellers. A bad escrow company can push...
-
Foreclosure can be difficult for anyone to handle, but mortgage foreclosure help is available to almost anyone. Avoiding a mortgage foreclosure can save you from having to find a new place and impacting your credit negatively. This situation can be tough, but here are some things you can do...
-
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is an alternative financing structure that is meant to allow people who are up-to-date on their mortgages to stabilize their home purchase through refinancing. HARP is meant to focus on helping people who are unable to get traditional financing because of the declining...
-
Many people believe, quite mistakenly, that there is no way to reduce mortgage repayments once a deal has been struck with a loaning institution. However, the savviest investors recognize that this is one of the main ways to save money over the long term. Below are just a few...
-
As a veteran or service member, you are entitled to a number of valuable benefits, such as a VA loan. These loans are an attractive option for those who are looking to purchase a home in the near future. While there certainly are many advantages to a VA loan,...
-
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides active members of the military, veterans, and surviving spouses with VA loans that can help with a variety of housing matters. VA loans can be used for purchasing a home, building a new one, repairing and maintaining your current home, or updating...
-
Comparing mortgage lenders might seem like a chore. There are many lenders competing for your business with seemingly more and more attractive deals. But you need to be able to rationally compare and judge them to find the one who’s right for you. This is an extremely important decision...
-
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is a U.S. federal program designed to help homeowners who are struggling with their current mortgages. Before you apply for refinancing through HARP, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of this type of loan. Advantages Lower Payments One of the reasons that...
-
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is a federal program for struggling homeowners in the United States. The program was designed in 2009 by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The agency created the program to help certain debtors refinance their homes without complications. Many people who own homes are...
-
Fixed-rate mortgages are the most widely used form of home mortgage loans. It is a basic arrangement in which the lender calculates the principal amount, using a single interest rate, and then divides the sum equally over an agreed period of years. The most popular terms are 30-year and...
-
With the housing market finally starting to regain footing, potential home buyers are in search of homes and mortgage loan programs. There are so many types of home loans out there, it’s hard to know which to choose. Maybe you’ve heard about the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)...
-
Ask these 10 questions and use the answers you get to decide whether to go with a mortgage lender. This is a very important step of the process and should not be taken lightly. You should come to a potential lender with a list of questions already prepared. Do...
-
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) has provided much-needed financial relief for thousands of Americans. People who have found that the value of their home has declined may be eligible to participate in HARP. The HARP refinancing program enables homeowners to refinance an existing mortgage so they can receive...
-
When mortgages first became popular back in the early 1900s, applying for a mortgage was a straightforward process. However, through the years, lending institutions have developed different types of mortgages to meet their customers’ needs. Some mortgages, like home equity loans and reverse mortgages, are used for the original...
-
For those unfamiliar with the USDA home loan program, this loan is offered by the Department of Agriculture and is available to borrowers who live in or wish to purchase rural properties. Despite a large number of loan programs now available, many potential buyers are looking into USDA home...
-
USDA home loans are favored among some first-time home buyers because they offer special incentives, such as not requiring a down payment, and are open to borrowers with low credit scores. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which like all government offices, requires an application...
-
When you’re buying your own home, you had better go into it with an understanding of all the terms used in the mortgage business so that you really know what you’re getting into. Knowledge is power, and this is especially true when talking about large purchases like buying a...
-
More than 75 million U.S. consumers own homes, and many of them have little equity in their homes. Such consumers may want to refinance their mortgages for various reasons, but traditional lenders usually deny refinancing for homes that do not have much equity. The HARP refinancing program allows people...
-
In many of today’s households, money is tight. With decreasing median family incomes and increasing prices on consumer goods, some people struggle to support themselves financially. If you fall into this ever growing category of people, you may be considering taking out a home equity loan. Just don’t tap...
-
Those who are looking to purchase a home may have come across the term FHA loan and not know what it is. The acronym FHA stands for Federal Housing Administration. The loan is actually not a loan. It is government-backed insurance for the lender of a home loan. It...
-
If you are drowning in debt or you have major home repairs that need to be completed, you may be thinking about taking out a second mortgage. It’s understandable if you’re on the edge about this type of loan because it uses your home as collateral. Since it can...
Buying a house for the first time can be a daunting process, but it shouldn’t have to be! Long, detailed, step-by-step advice can make you feel even more overwhelmed and unsure about the process. Let’s keep it short and sweet with two simple steps you need to take when...
Seniors that live in a house can get money by setting up a reverse mortgage through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The Home Equity Conversion Mortgage (HECM) allows those who are 62 or older access to their home’s equity as long as they’ve paid off the majority or all...
For the past 30 minutes, you’ve been waiting in line to use your home’s only bathroom and all you can think about is how badly you want to add a second. You might be daydreaming about how nice it would be to sunbathe on the outdoor patio only to...
Even with growing access to data that was formerly reserved only for the financial elite, there is still a great deal of uncertainty about how to use available financial tools to help reduce the anxiety inherent in the process of purchasing a home. Perhaps the most effective of these...
Buying a home is one of the most important – and intimidating – financial decisions you can make, and picking a reputable lender who can work with you is a key part of it. Here are some steps to finding the right one. Get your financial house in order....
To help negotiate today’s real estate market and mortgage, here are six simple steps to buying and selling your home: Use homebuyer programs Utilize the programs specific to your local area to help you buy your next home. Websites such as HSH.com can provide tools to those house-hunting of...
Are you looking to sell your home? Refinance? Just give your place a little spruce-up? Increasing your home’s value is important for a number of reasons. For example, higher home equity will allow you to borrow more money in the event that you apply for a home equity loan...
When buying a home, you’ll eventually find yourself in escrow. But what is escrow? It isn’t as scary as it sounds, but it can be a little complicated for a first time home-buyer. This guide can help you understand the meaning of escrow and how it works. Escrow Meaning...
If you are in the process of purchasing a home or if you’re planning to build a home, it is likely that you will be working with a mortgage lender to arrange financing. The process of securing a home loan can be complicated and confusing. It is important to...
If you are trying to find a second mortgage lender, you should know what qualities to be looking for. There are many different lending options for this type of loan, which can make it tough to choose. Here are a few things you need to look for in a...
To buy points or not to buy points? If you plan on having your loan for a while then you want to put more money down, buy some points, and get a lower interest rate. Even if you don’t know how long you’re going to have your loan due...
Refinancing your home mortgage is a major financial decision, but it’s also one that has the potential to save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. Refinancing your mortgage can help you to pay less every month, pay your mortgage loan at a faster rate, or...
Most homeowners will say that the two best things about being homeowners are being able to say they own their own homes and not having to put money in a landlord’s pocket. An even better advantage is the equity you build in your home through the years—equity that you...
For the last 10 years or more, you’ve enjoyed living in your home. You may especially be proud of the equity you’ve gained on the home over time. However, because the house is becoming slightly dated, you’d like to complete some remodeling. We’re not saying we’d judge your paneling,...
Reverse mortgages have become more and more popular as the baby boomer generation ages into retirement. Unlike a traditional mortgage, a reverse mortgage uses your home as collateral against a loan that you can use to supplement your income. However, instead of receiving the proceeds of the loan in...
A reverse mortgage can help you get equity out of your house, but it’s a major decision to make. Picking a good lender can make the situation easier, smoother, and better overall. This guide may help you choose a great reverse mortgage company to help you get the money...
You’re applying for a mortgage and you feel overwhelmed by the acronyms, numbers, and terminology. You don’t know where you should start. Well, you’re not alone. The majority of people are almost completely in the dark when it comes to the finer points of their mortgage agreements and don’t...
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is a U.S. federal program that began in 2009. The goal of the HARP refinancing program is to help struggling homeowners refinance their mortgages. The following is a short history of HARP and how the program continues today. The Crisis After the U.S....
Mortgage escrow accounts are used to mitigate the amount of risk you may experience as you’re paying your mortgage, but that isn’t the only benefit. Here are some of the other advantages you gain by hiring an escrow officer to hold your mortgage escrow accounts. Convenience One of the...
Escrow might make you uncomfortable, especially if you’ve heard any bad myths about these types of accounts. Whether you’re getting an escrow bank account or an escrow account mortgage, these are some myths you should know before getting started. Escrow accounts keep you from changing your home insurance. Switching...
For a lot of seniors, a reverse mortgage is an excellent method to improving their financial situation during retirement. Reverse Mortgages are providing enhanced financial security, an improved lifestyle, and monetary aid to hundreds of older Americans. However, there are a number of disadvantages. Some of the disadvantages of...
As a home buyer, it is paramount that you learn the different types of mortgage loans to ensure you understand which one is the most suitable for you. If you understand the loans available, and which ones you qualify for, you will be better enabled to maximize long term...
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is an alternative financing structure that is meant to allow people who are up-to-date on their mortgages to stabilize their home purchase through refinancing. HARP is meant to focus on helping people who are unable to get traditional financing because of the declining...
Escrow is one of the best ways to avoid fraud, but how much does it cost? An escrow agent or officer can be someone from the closing company, an attorney, or a title company agent. It’s difficult to give a single price since the escrow agent fees vary and...
Escrow refers to money that’s held by a third-party on behalf of transacting parties. Many different types of escrow services exist outside of buying and selling properties. Most escrow companies have experience in these various types, but knowing what you need from your escrow agent is the first step...
Reverse mortgages are a home loan option for senior homeowners over the age of 62. The loan allows homeowners to tap into the equity they have invested into their home over the years to pay unexpected expenses or increase their quality of living. The equity in the home is...
A mortgage rate lock is a commitment the lender makes to an interest rate in the beginning of your loan application, which lasts for a certain duration while your loan is processing. If the rate fluctuates via market influences your interest rate for your loan will stay the same....
Homeowners considering refinancing of their properties may qualify for an FHA streamlined refinance loan, cash-out refinance loan, or a no-cash refinance loan. According to FHA loan rules, applicants for a new mortgage must meet the eligibility criteria, not be the same party as the original loan, and reside on...
Mortgage loans are financial debt obligations people enter into with a bank, credit union, or other financial institution as a way of purchasing a home. Home loans are one of the most common ways to purchase a home today. Unless you have the cash in a bank account to...
An escrow company is designed to prevent fraud when buying or selling a house, but how do you pick a company? You need to receive emails and documents required for closing in a timely fashion and be able to communicate with the sellers. A bad escrow company can push...
Foreclosure can be difficult for anyone to handle, but mortgage foreclosure help is available to almost anyone. Avoiding a mortgage foreclosure can save you from having to find a new place and impacting your credit negatively. This situation can be tough, but here are some things you can do...
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is an alternative financing structure that is meant to allow people who are up-to-date on their mortgages to stabilize their home purchase through refinancing. HARP is meant to focus on helping people who are unable to get traditional financing because of the declining...
Many people believe, quite mistakenly, that there is no way to reduce mortgage repayments once a deal has been struck with a loaning institution. However, the savviest investors recognize that this is one of the main ways to save money over the long term. Below are just a few...
As a veteran or service member, you are entitled to a number of valuable benefits, such as a VA loan. These loans are an attractive option for those who are looking to purchase a home in the near future. While there certainly are many advantages to a VA loan,...
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs provides active members of the military, veterans, and surviving spouses with VA loans that can help with a variety of housing matters. VA loans can be used for purchasing a home, building a new one, repairing and maintaining your current home, or updating...
Comparing mortgage lenders might seem like a chore. There are many lenders competing for your business with seemingly more and more attractive deals. But you need to be able to rationally compare and judge them to find the one who’s right for you. This is an extremely important decision...
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is a U.S. federal program designed to help homeowners who are struggling with their current mortgages. Before you apply for refinancing through HARP, you should consider the advantages and disadvantages of this type of loan. Advantages Lower Payments One of the reasons that...
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) is a federal program for struggling homeowners in the United States. The program was designed in 2009 by the Federal Housing Finance Agency. The agency created the program to help certain debtors refinance their homes without complications. Many people who own homes are...
With the housing market finally starting to regain footing, potential home buyers are in search of homes and mortgage loan programs. There are so many types of home loans out there, it’s hard to know which to choose. Maybe you’ve heard about the USDA (United States Department of Agriculture)...
Ask these 10 questions and use the answers you get to decide whether to go with a mortgage lender. This is a very important step of the process and should not be taken lightly. You should come to a potential lender with a list of questions already prepared. Do...
The Home Affordable Refinance Program (HARP) has provided much-needed financial relief for thousands of Americans. People who have found that the value of their home has declined may be eligible to participate in HARP. The HARP refinancing program enables homeowners to refinance an existing mortgage so they can receive...
For those unfamiliar with the USDA home loan program, this loan is offered by the Department of Agriculture and is available to borrowers who live in or wish to purchase rural properties. Despite a large number of loan programs now available, many potential buyers are looking into USDA home...
USDA home loans are favored among some first-time home buyers because they offer special incentives, such as not requiring a down payment, and are open to borrowers with low credit scores. The program is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, which like all government offices, requires an application...
When you’re buying your own home, you had better go into it with an understanding of all the terms used in the mortgage business so that you really know what you’re getting into. Knowledge is power, and this is especially true when talking about large purchases like buying a...
More than 75 million U.S. consumers own homes, and many of them have little equity in their homes. Such consumers may want to refinance their mortgages for various reasons, but traditional lenders usually deny refinancing for homes that do not have much equity. The HARP refinancing program allows people...
In many of today’s households, money is tight. With decreasing median family incomes and increasing prices on consumer goods, some people struggle to support themselves financially. If you fall into this ever growing category of people, you may be considering taking out a home equity loan. Just don’t tap...
Those who are looking to purchase a home may have come across the term FHA loan and not know what it is. The acronym FHA stands for Federal Housing Administration. The loan is actually not a loan. It is government-backed insurance for the lender of a home loan. It...
If you are drowning in debt or you have major home repairs that need to be completed, you may be thinking about taking out a second mortgage. It’s understandable if you’re on the edge about this type of loan because it uses your home as collateral. Since it can...