Secured and Unsecured Debt – Do You Know the Difference?
While some types of debt can boost your credit score, others can hurt it. When it comes to house hunting, this is a big deal. Credit scores are often the make or break factor for prospective buyers looking to get pre-approved for a mortgage. As you consider debt, it’s important to know that debt comes […]
4 Tips For A Successful First-Time Home Buying Experience
Ready to start house hunting? With inventory tight and prices on the rise, it’s a crazy time to jump into the home buying process. However, scoring your dream home is far from impossible. Use these four tips to ensure you’re putting your right foot forward. Get Your Financials In Check Before you start the house […]
5 Things You Should Know About Home Sale Contingencies
In order for most current homeowners to purchase a new home, they need to sell their current home. This is especially true when a buyer wants to move into a more expensive house. However, trying to perfectly time a sale and a purchase can be difficult. Luckily, home sale contingencies provide protection to both buyers […]
Minimum Property Requirements for VA Loans
There are instances when the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) might waive its minimum requirements. However, there are some requirements the VA will not waive. These requirements are set to ensure the safety of anyone who might live in the home. What safety factors are we talking about? Hazards and defects. These types of issues […]
Buying a Home While Deployed
Buying a home while deployed can be difficult. Luckily, using something called Power of Attorney will all you to enjoy the American dream while deployed. What is Power of Attorney? In basic terms, giving someone Power of Attorney gives them the ability to sign legally binding documents in your stead. This individual becomes your proxy. To […]
3 Things to Know About Mortgage Interest
Mortgage interest can be confusing. The amount of interest you pay each month, will depend upon the kind of loan you get. Whatever the loan type, your interest will always be tax deductible, which is an advantage to you as a future home owner. There are times when interest can work against you as it tends to be […]
Which Home Upgrades Offer the Best and Worst ROI?
Dreaming about a backyard swimming pool or a quiet sun room is nice. However, will they increase the value of your home? Probably not. Before you dive into any home upgrade, it’s good to consider which projects will give you the best return on your investment (ROI). As you can probably guess, some projects have […]
“Hidden” Costs of Home Buying
Thinking about buying a home? Saving for that big down payment? That’s fantastic. But, did you know there are a few other expenses you’ll have to cover? While seasoned buyers are familiar with the additional costs of home buying, as a first-time buyer you might not be aware of these “hidden” expenses. To help you […]
How Your Interest Rate Works & Why Understanding it Matters
When it comes to the overall cost of your loan, there are two major components: principal and interest. When it comes to the overall cost of your loan, there are two major components: The Principal – The total sum you borrow. The Interest – The percentage of the total sum you borrow that you pay […]