Understanding the Principal Limit on a Reverse Mortgage and What Happens if You Reach It

If you're considering applying for a reverse mortgage, you'll want to ensure you understand certain critical factors. One such factor is the principal limit. The principal limit will have a strong influence on your finances, which is why you'll need to ensure you know – before applying for your reverse mortgage – what your principal limit is. So how does a principal limit work, and how can you find out what yours is? Here's what you need to know. Principal Limit: The Maximum Amount You Can Borrow Simply put, the principal limit is the maximum amount of money that you…
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Call in the Pros: 4 Ways That Using a Mortgage Professional Will Save You a Lot of Money

It may seem better to go it alone when it comes to acquiring a mortgage, but there are many benefits associated with using a mortgage professional that can make finding your dream home a lot easier. If you're currently getting prepared to hit the market and are weighing your options, here are some reasons that a professional who knows the neighborhood will save you money. Strong Market Knowledge Many homebuyers can take a look at the MLS listings to find the price of properties selling in the area, but a mortgage professional will know the market without having to look…
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3 Tips for Planning Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

Once you've purchased a home and decided on a move in date, it may seem like a lot of the hard stuff is over, but you still have one of the most important things relating to such a large purchase to think about: the payments! If you're looking for a few tips on ways to approach your monthly payment, the following will steer you in the right direction so you can broach your mortgage schedule successfully. Set Up A Payment Schedule Many people have been in the situation of neglecting their phone or credit cards by forgetting about the payment…
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Understanding Automated Underwriting and How It Impacts the Mortgage Application Process

Whether you're embarking on the process of obtaining a mortgage for the first time or just preparing yourself for the advances in the industry, the implementation of automated underwriting in recent years has significantly changed the application process. From the time you'll have to wait to the documentation that is required, here are some of the details on what you can expect when dealing with an automated underwriter. Reduction In Document Requirements In the past, most homebuyers submitting mortgage application documents were required to go into their backlogs to provide the paystubs for the previous 2 months pay, as well…
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3 Different Types of Loan That Will Negatively Impact Your Ability to Get a Mortgage

A good credit rating is built on a number of financial factors including paying your bills on time and the length of your credit history, but loans can also be a source of bolstering your credit score in a positive way. While this means that loans can actually be a good thing, there are also the kinds of loans that can have a damaging impact on acquiring a mortgage. If you'll soon be pursuing your own home purchase, here are some loans that may have a negative impact. Borrowing For Education When you are young, student loans are an ideal…
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First Time Home-buyers: How to Properly Research Your Mortgage Options

For most consumers, buying a house is the largest purchase you'll make in your life. That's why it's important to ensure that you have the best mortgage terms available. With so much at stake, it's important to have full confidence in both your lender and your mortgage. So how can you ensure that the mortgage you choose is the right one for you? Here's how you can evaluate your mortgage options and find the best option for your individual circumstances. Make Sure You Actually Do Shop Around According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, half of borrowers consider just one…
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The Quick and Easy Guide to Understanding the Math Behind Your Mortgage Closing Costs

It's amazing that in a year with extremely low mortgage rates being reported around the country, closing costs are up by as much as 6% from the previous year. Part of the reason for this is that the stricter regulations on loans have increased the costs to banks, and they always find a way to pass on new costs to the consumer. Understanding Third-Party Closing Costs When closing on a mortgage the borrower will notice a long list of additional fees that they are expected to pay for. These can range from insignificant into the thousands of dollars depending on…
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