11 Jan 2022
By Tawnya King

Understanding How Home Equity Works and Why Buying a Home Can Be Your Best Investment

Mortgage Tips
When delving into the world of real estate and investment property, there are many terms that will come up that require further explanation. Whether you've never heard the phrase 'home equity' before or you have a little familiarity, here are the ins and out of what it means and how this asset can help your financial outlook. All About Home Equity Essentially, home equity refers to your portion of the value of your home, and the amount of this figure is important because it is included among your assets when determining your net worth. If this sounds confusing, think of…
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10 Jan 2022
By Tawnya King

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 10, 2022

Financial Reports
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on construction spending and labor sector readings on jobs and unemployment. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Construction Spending Unchanged, Falls Short of Expectations The Commerce Department reported that construction spending rose by 0.4 percent in November to a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of $1.63 trillion and  9.30 percent year-over-year, Residential construction spending drove spending higher; month-to-month spending rose by 0.90 percent in November and was 16 percent higher year-over-year. Analysts expected overall construction spending to rise by 0.70 percent from October to November. High demand for homes continued to…
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07 Jan 2022
By Tawnya King

3 ‘Must Know’ Pieces of Advice for First-time Home Buyers

Home Buyer Tips
When delving into the realities of home ownership, there can be many factors involved that make it difficult to determine what you need to know and what can wait until later. If you happen to be a first-time buyer who's looking for the best tips for purchasing a home, look no further than the following three pointers to set you on the right path. Get Familiar With Your Credit Score If you haven't looked at your credit report for a long time, it can be a daunting task to request this information. Fortunately, your credit report is free from AnnualCreditReport.com…
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06 Jan 2022
By Tawnya King

Understanding The Differences Between Conforming Loans And Jumbo Loans

Mortgage
Potential homeowners need to understand the different types of loans available. This is a major financial decision, and it is important to evaluate the benefits and drawbacks of each option. The majority of home loans fall into two categories. The first is called a conforming loan and the second is called a jumbo loan. There are a few significant differences between them. How Is The Size Of A Home Loan Determined? First, it is important to understand how the size of a home loan is determined. Homebuyers usually need to put money down before they will be granted a home…
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05 Jan 2022
By Tawnya King

The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Approved for a Mortgage Quickly

Home Mortgage Tips
If you're ready to buy a home, getting approved for a mortgage is a critical step that you can't skip or rush. And although it may seem like the lenders can be a bit arbitrary in their approvals, there's actually a detailed set of criteria they look for when approving or denying an application. So how can you ensure your mortgage gets approved quickly and without any hassles? Here's what you need to know. Do: Have All Your Documents In Order Right Away Processing the paperwork on a mortgage approval is one of the most time-consuming parts of getting a…
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04 Jan 2022
By Tawnya King

An Overview Of Mortgage Points

Mortgage
There is a lot of terminologies involved in the mortgage application process, and one common term people come across is a mortgage point. What exactly is a mortgage point, and how might impact the price of the loan? What Is A Point? Points represent fees due at signing. Some lenders charge points while others do not. In some cases, applicants are given the option to pay points in exchange for a rate reduction. A single point is the equivalent of one percent of the loan's value. If the home loan is $200,000, then a single point is $2,000. Origination Points…
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03 Jan 2022
By Tawnya King

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 3, 2022

Financial Reports
Last week’s economic reporting included readings from S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices and the National Association of Realtors® released its monthly report on pending home sales. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. S&P Case-Shiller Reports Show Slower Gains in Home Prices October home price readings from S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices showed slower home price growth in October than for September. Nationally, October home prices rose 19.10 percent year-over-year as compared to 19.70 percent year-over-year home price growth in September. October’s reading was the fourth highest since the inception of the National Home Price Index…
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