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What To Know About Closing Costs

What To Know About Closing Costs Now that you’ve decided to buy a home and are ready to make it happen, it’s a good idea to plan ahead for the costs that are a typical part of the homebuying process. And while your down payment is probably the number one expense on your mind, don't forget about closing costs. …

Navigating the Mortgage Process, Step by Step:

Hey, future homeowners! Are you ready to embark on the exciting journey of buying your dream home? Let's break down the mortgage process into simple steps so you can navigate it with confidence. Step 1: Preparing Your Financial Documents; Before you apply for a home loan or start looking at homes, it's essential to get …

Timing the Market? Here’s Why Now Wins!

In the dynamic world of real estate, timing can often be the difference between securing your dream home at an optimal price and missing out on a golden opportunity. In this blog, we'll dive into the compelling reasons why seizing the moment to buy a home before the market softens can prove to be a …

Homeownership on a Budget

A Comprehensive Guide to Buying a House with $0 Down! Are you dreaming of owning your own home but worried about the hefty down payment? Don't stress! Today's real estate world offers solutions for eager homebuyers. In this guide, we'll walk you through practical and accessible budgeting strategies. These strategies turn the dream of homeownership …

Financial Planning & Budgeting: Saving Tips

sticky notes and plastic numbers on table

"Smart Steps: Financial Planning for Homebuying - Budgeting and Saving Tips”  Photo by Karolina Grabowska on Pexels.com Welcome to the journey of homeownership! Purchasing a home is a significant milestone that requires careful financial planning. To ensure a smooth and stress-free process, it's crucial to establish a solid budget and implement effective saving strategies. In …

Down Payment Assistance Programs Can Help Pave the Way to Homeownership

money for mortgage

If you’re looking to buy a home, your down payment doesn’t have to be a big hurdle. According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 38% of first-time homebuyers find saving for a down payment the most challenging step. But the reality is, you probably don’t need to put down as much as you think: Data from NAR shows the median …

Mortgage Rates in the coming year

Explaining Today’s Mortgage Rates If you’re following mortgage rates because you know they impact your borrowing costs, you may be wondering what the future holds for them. Unfortunately, there’s no easy way to answer that question because mortgage rates are notoriously hard to forecast.  But, there’s one thing that’s historically a good indicator of what’ll happen with rates, and that’s …

Your Tax Refund Can Help You Buy a Home.

Your Tax Refund Can Help You Buy a Home. Have you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a variety of expenses involved – from your down payment to closing costs. But there’s good news – your tax refund can help you achieve your goals by paying for some of these …

The Drop in Mortgage Rates Brings Good News for Homebuyers

Over the past few weeks, the average 30-year fixed mortgage rate from Freddie Mac fell by half a percent. The drop happened over concerns about a potential recession. And since mortgage rates have risen dramatically this year, homebuyers across the country should see this decline as welcome news. Freddie Mac reports that the average 30-year rate was down to 5.30% from 5.81% …

Are Houses Less Affordable Than They Were in Past Decades?

Are houses less affordable than in years past? There are many headlines about how housing affordability is declining. The headlines are correct: it’s less affordable to purchase a home today than it was a year ago. However, it’s important to give this trend context. Is it less expensive to buy a house today than it …

Real Estate Will Lead the Economic Recovery

Real Estate Will Lead the Economic Recovery. With more U.S. states reopening for business this summer, and as people start to return to work, we can expect the economy to begin improving. Most expert forecasts indicate this economic recovery will start to happen in the second half of this year. As we get back to work …

Three Reasons Why Pre-Approval Is the First Step in Homebuying

Three Reasons Why Pre-Approval Is the First Step in the 2020 Homebuying Journey When the number of buyers in the housing market outnumbers the number of homes for sale, it’s called a “seller’s market.” The advantage tips toward the seller as low inventory heats up the competition among those searching for a place to call their own. This …

Credit Score Myths

What FICO® Score Do You Need to Qualify for a Mortgage? While a recent announcement from CNBC shares that the average national FICO® score has reached an all-time high of 706, the good news for potential buyers is that you don’t need a score that high to qualify for a mortgage. Let’s unpack the credit score myth so …

The Housing Market is gaining strength!

Experts Predict a Strong Housing Market for the Rest of 2019 We’re in the back half of the year, and with a decline in interest rates as well as home price and wage appreciation, many are wondering what the predictions are for housing market in the remainder of 2019. Here’s what some of the experts …

Don’t Wait, Buy Now!

3 Powerful Reasons to Buy a Home Now Whether you are a first-time buyer or looking to move up to the home of your dreams, now is a great time to purchase a home. Here are three major reasons to buy today. 1. Affordability Many people focus solely on price when talking about home affordability. …

What is Private Mortgage Insurance?

What You Need to Know About Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) Whether it is your first time or your fifth, it is always important to know all the facts when it comes to buying a home. With the large number of mortgage programs available that allow buyers to purchase homes with down payments below 20%, you …

Honoring those who have served!

May is National Military Appreciation Month and Monday is Memorial Day! We are deeply appreciative and grateful to the men and woman who serve and have served our country in the Armed Forces. We owe our very lifestyles and daily freedoms to those who have sacrificed throughout history to protect them. https://youtu.be/NOcl17HIa7c   We have …

This Season’s Rent V. Buy Stats!

The Cost of Rent vs. Buy This Spring The age old battle of weather to rent or buy a home continues but is changing more than you might think. Check these numbers out. They may just be enough to motivate you to purchase your next home. Some Highlights: Historically, the choice between weather you rent …

Down Payment Saving!

How Quickly Can You Save Your Down Payment? Saving for a down payment is often the biggest hurdle for a first-time homebuyer. Depending on where you live, median income, median rents, and home prices all vary. So, we set out to find out how long it would take to save for a down payment in …

Your saving may be enough!

One More Time… You Do Not Need 20% Down to Buy a Home. Is your saving enough? The largest obstacle renters face when planning to buy a home is saving for a down payment. This challenge is amplified by rising rents, which has eaten into the amount of money renters have leftover for savings each …