Mortgage

18 Apr 2023

The Top Homeownership Expenses You Need To Know

Mortgage

Owning a home can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it's important to be aware of the expenses that come with homeownership. Understanding these costs can help you prepare for and manage them effectively, ensuring a smoother transition into your new home. The Mortgage Payment The mortgage payment is typically the largest expense that homeowners face. This monthly payment consists of the principal and interest on your home loan. The principal is the amount you borrowed to purchase the home, while the interest is the cost of borrowing the money. The length of your loan term and the interest…

14 Apr 2023

By Tawnya King

Buying A House With No Money Down

Mortgage

If you dream of owning a house one day, you have probably realized that one of the biggest challenges is saving money for a down payment. You have already found your dream property, but then the lender asks you to put 20 percent down, which can be tens of thousands of dollars. Fortunately, there are alternative options available, and you may be able to purchase a home for no money down. VA Loans One option for qualifying borrowers is a VA loan. As the name suggests, this is a loan that is backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and…

11 Apr 2023

By Tawnya King

What You Need To Know About A VA Construction Loan

Mortgage

Do you plan on building your dream home? If you are a veteran, you may qualify for a VA construction loan. This could help you save a significant amount of money as you build your dream house, but it is important to understand the details. An Overview Of A VA Construction Loan In general, a VA construction loan has three separate parts. The first part is the cost to purchase the land, the second part is the cost to construct the home, and the third component is the bundle that gives you your final, long-term mortgage. You have the option…

07 Apr 2023

By Tawnya King

A Home Equity Loan Versus A HELOC

Mortgage

If you are looking for a quick source of cash, you may have been told that you can tap into the equity in your home. If you have at least 20 percent equity in your home, you can borrow against that equity at a relatively low interest rate for a quick source of funding. You might be deciding whether to apply for a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit, which is usually shortened to HELOC. Home Equity Loan A home equity loan is a loan that you will receive based on the equity you have in…

05 Apr 2023

By Tawnya King

How To Successfully Use Your Down Payment to Achieve Your Home Buying Goals

Mortgage

When you are considering purchasing a home, understanding the lending guidelines regarding a down payment is important. Here are a few key tips to consider: Gifting of a Down Payment There are some programs that will allow you to use a gift for your home down payment. However, before you assume this, make sure you talk to your loan officer. Generally speaking, the lender will require the person making the gift to provide a letter stating the money was a gift and does not require repayment. Windfalls as a Down Payment When people hit the lottery or come into money…

31 Mar 2023

By Tawnya King

White Lies That Could Make It Harder To Buy A Home

Mortgage

Right now, the real estate market is very competitive, and you might be tempted to use a few white lies to make your offer seem more competitive. No matter how much you want to purchase a home, you need to make sure you are completely honest and open when you go through the process from start to finish. What or a few examples of common white lies that people tell that could jeopardize your application or your mortgage as a whole? Lying About Your Primary Residence If you plan on living in the house full-time, make sure you say so.…

30 Mar 2023

By Tawnya King

Rebuilding Costs: Rethinking How Much Homeowners Insurance You Really Need

Mortgage

Buying a home comes with numerous financial planning obligations. It's far from a turn-key operation and one of the significant challenges involves developing a working knowledge about things often outside your area of expertise. For example, working as an educator, police officer, investment banker or office staffer does not necessarily make you an expert about home repairs or insurance coverage. Yet, the average homeowner is tasked with carrying a certain level of homeowners insurance coverage without a strong working knowledge. Many homeowners just purchase enough insurance to cover the purchase price or take the advice of others. Both of those…