Are you planning on using a mortgage to help cover the cost of a new home? If so, you will want to prepare your finances and figure out how you will manage all those wallet-draining monthly expenses. Let's take a look at how to run a quick financial health check to ensure you are ready to apply for a mortgage. Update (Or Start) Your Monthly Budget First, it is essential to get the basics out of the way. If you haven't already, it's time to start a monthly budget to keep track of your income and expenses. Once you have a mortgage, it will be important to prioritize your monthly payments so that … [Read More...]
Congratulations! You have finally closed on your home loan, and you are excited to get moved in. Or, you may have just refinanced your home. Regardless, all of a sudden, you start to get a bunch of junk mail in your mailbox. It can be frustrating to sort through everything, and how did they get your information in the first place? Where Junk Mailers Get Your Personal Information First, there are a few locations where junk mailers may have gotten your personal information. Once your property deed is recorded, it goes into the public record. Anyone who goes into the public record can find … [Read More...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on new and pending home sales, inflation, and consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. New home sales increase in December The Commerce Department reported new home sales rose to a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 616,000 sales in December as compared to the expected pace of 615,000 new homes sales and November’s revised reading of 602,000 annual sales. December was the third consecutive month that the pace of new home sales rose, but new home sales remained well below the … [Read More...]
Members of the military, their family members, and veterans have access to a unique mortgage option called a VA loan. This can be a strong option because it provides borrowers with an opportunity to purchase a house for less than 20 percent down. While not everyone is eligible for a VA loan, there are a lot of people who are wondering, are VA loans assumable? There are a few key points to keep in mind. What Is An Assumable Loan? An assumable loan means that the buyer is essentially going to take over the mortgage held by the seller. Essentially, this means that the buyer is going to take over … [Read More...]
Are you in the market for a new house? If so, you might be thinking about building your own house. It can be exciting to go through the process of building a house, as you will be in control of just about everything. On the other hand, how much is it going to cost you to build a house? You need to make sure you have an estimate before you decide to move forward with your project. What Is The Actual Cost Of Building A House? First, it is important to go through the actual itemized list line by line. You will need to purchase land if you are interested in building a house. Then, you need … [Read More...]
If you are thinking of buying a condominium or a home that is part of a planned community, you have likely come across the term "homeowners' association" or HOA. In short, the HOA is a coalition of local homeowners who have banded together to manage the needs of the local community. Let's explore the concept of the homeowners' association, why they charge fees and what you can expect from your HOA if you buy a home that is part of one. HOA Fees Are Meant To Make Things Easier HOA fees are meant to make your life easier. Common sense dictates that all homeowners won't be able to commit to … [Read More...]
