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Blog

07 Apr 2021
By noelkelman

VA vs FHA vs USDA What’s the Difference?

Mortgage, ,
You may have more options than you think when it comes to securing a mortgage for your new home. While many buyers opt for conventional financing, another option or program might be a better choice for you, depending on your personal and financial situation. Learning more about FHA, USDA, and VA loans ensures you get the best possible deal for your mortgage and that you secure the loan that you need for your new home. Here’s what you need to know about these useful mortgage options. FHA Loans These are traditional mortgages that are backed by the FHA: when you…
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06 Apr 2021
By noelkelman

Suffering from Credit Problems? Understanding Mortgage Lenders and How They Assess Your Credit

Home Mortgage Tips, ,
One of the most significant factors a mortgage lender will review when you apply for a new mortgage loan is your credit history and rating. While some people have stellar credit, others have a troubled credit history with lower scores. If you fall into the latter scenario, you may be wondering how lenders will assess your credit situation when you apply for a mortgage in the near future. Reviewing Your Credit Scores Initially, lenders will review your credit report to determine your credit scores. Your scores will have a direct impact on the interest rate that you qualify for or…
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05 Apr 2021
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – April 5, 2021

Financial Reports, ,
Last week’s economic reports included readings on home prices, pending home sales, and construction spending. Data on public and private-sector employment and the national unemployment rate were published along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims.  vLast week’s economic reports included readings on home prices, pending home sales, and construction spending. Data on public and private-sector employment and the national unemployment rate were published along with weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Last week’s economic reports included readings on home prices, pending home sales, and construction spending. Data on public and private-sector employment and the national unemployment…
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02 Apr 2021
By noelkelman

How To Get A Mortgage If You Are A Gig Worker

Mortgage, ,
Twenty years ago the economy was putting the dot-com bubble behind it, and people were buying homes. The high majority of folks worked for someone else; they received a paycheck, were given a W-2 from their employer, and filed their income tax returns accordingly. This also provided easy documentation to loan officers when folks wanted to borrow a mortgage to buy a home. As of 2019 36 percent of workers in 2020 were identified as bona fide gig workers per the federal government, or a bit more than 1 out of every 3 workers. That change translates to mortgage application…
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01 Apr 2021
By noelkelman

Case-Shiller: Phoenix Home Prices Hot, Hotter, and Hottest

Financial Reports, ,
The S&P Case-Shiller National Home Price Index posted its highest gain in nearly 15 years with a year-over-year home price growth rate of 11.20 percent in January. The December 2020  National Home Price Index reported 10.40 percent home price growth. The S&P Case-Shiller 20-City Home Price Index reported 11.10 percent year-over-year growth with 19 of 20 cities reporting higher home prices. Cleveland, Ohio was the only city reporting no home price growth in January. Detroit, Michigan reported home price growth data for the first time in nearly a year. Phoenix, Seattle, and San Diego Home Prices are Hot, Hotter, and…
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31 Mar 2021
By noelkelman

Important Legal Tips For Homeowners

Homeowner Tips, ,
Being a homeowner is exciting. It can be financially rewarding, too. Unfortunately, it can also put you in a tough legal position. Between the complexities of owning a house, having to deal with lenders and the risk that comes from owning something valuable, keeping yourself legally protected is a good idea. Here Are Some Risks -- And Some Ways To Handle Them. HOAs. If you own a condo, townhome or other property in an association, the homeowner association is extremely powerful. Not paying their dues, violating their rules, or doing just about anything else to end up on the wrong…
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30 Mar 2021
By noelkelman

The Mortgage Pre-approval Letter: Why It’s Important and How to Get One

Home Mortgage Tips, ,
If you are thinking about buying a new home in the near future, you may already be searching online to get a feel for the different types of homes available in the local area. You may have reviewed your budget, and you may have a fair idea about a sales price that is comfortable for you to afford. While you may feel as though you have taken the preliminary steps necessary to prepare yourself to buy a home, it is important that you also get a mortgage pre-approval letter for your financing before you starting hunting for that perfect new…
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29 Mar 2021
By noelkelman

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 29, 2021

Financial Reports, ,
Last week’s economic news included readings on sales of new and previously-owned homes along with final March index readings on consumer sentiment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Sales of New and Pre-Owned Homes Fall in February Weather-related problems disrupted sales of new and previously-owned homes in February as low inventories of homes for sale further stalled sales. The National Association of Realtors® said that sales of new and pre-owned homes were slowed by persistent shortages of homes on the market. Shortages of available homes were common before the pandemic and are more pronounced now.…
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