15 Jun 2021
By noelkelman

Do You Have Enough Of A Down Payment Saved Up?

Mortgage, ,
If you are planning on purchasing a home in the near future, you need to make sure you have enough money saved up. While there are a lot of expenses that go along with purchasing a home, the biggest expense is the down payment. The common belief is that people have to put 20 percent down; however, even if you don’t have 20 percent saved up, you might still be able to purchase a home. It will depend on whether you can get a lender to provide a loan that is greater than 80 percent of the purchase price of…
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08 Jun 2021
By noelkelman

Understanding Appraisals and What to Do If Your Home Doesn’t Appraise for Its Purchase Price

Home Mortgage Tips, ,
It can be a bit of a surprise if your home turns out to be valued at less than the purchase price offered, but this is the type of thing that can occur in an appraisal situation. While this can change everything from your contract to the amount of your down payment if your home has been appraised at less than you envisioned, here are some options you may want to consider. Review The Appraisal Contingency Clause If an appraisal contingency clause is built into the terms of your contract, this means that the terms of your contract can be…
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03 Jun 2021
By noelkelman

In The Current Housing Market, Prospective Buyers Must Remain Patient

Homebuyer Tips, ,
The housing market has been through many ups and downs during the past 12 months. Now, buyers are facing a unique challenge as they try to find the right house in the perfect seller’s market. Right now, real estate is extremely competitive, as low inventory has continued for several months. As mortgage rates remain low, more people are looking for homes, increasing the competition. Some people are reluctant to sell because they know they will face the same challenges of trying to find a new home themselves. As a result, the housing market has record-low inventory making it difficult for…
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27 May 2021
By noelkelman

Is Now The Time To Refinance Your Mortgage?

Mortagage Tips, ,
To refinance a mortgage means to pay off your existing loan and replace it with a new one. There are many reasons why homeowners opt to refinance, from obtaining a lower interest rate, to shortening the term of the loan, to switching mortgage loan types, to tapping into home equity. Each has its considerations. Lower Your Mortgage Rate Among the best reasons to refinance is to get access to lower mortgage rates. There is no "rule of thumb" that says how far rates should drop for a refinance to be sensible. Compare your closing costs to your monthly savings, and…
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20 May 2021
By noelkelman

Pantone Colors: Should You Repaint Before You Sell?

Mortgage, ,
Pantone is a universal language of color that you can use to select beautiful colors to paint the home. Interestingly, each year, Pantone selects a color of the year that embodies what's happening in society.  In 2021, the Pantone color of the year was awarded to two colors, Illuminating 13-0647 and Ultimate Gray 17-5104. These two colors highlight how two different elements can come together and support each other. This is the thought behind selecting them based on what has occurred over the last year.  The bold yellow and deeper gray capture feelings of promise, friendliness, and thoughtfulness, which may be…
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19 May 2021
By noelkelman

How Does A Change In Mortgage Rates Impact A Family’s Housing Budget?

Mortgage, ,
The housing market is extremely competitive right now because mortgage rates are still near record lows. While mortgage rates are rising this year, the rates are still attractive to many individuals and families who are looking to buy a home. At the same time, when mortgage rates change, families need to re-evaluate their budgets. A change in mortgage rates will impact the monthly mortgage payment, so families need to know what they can afford. Furthermore, because the market is so competitive, sale prices are going up as well. As mortgage rates and home prices rise, families need to determine what…
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13 May 2021
By noelkelman

Top 8 Things New Homeowners Need

Mortgage, ,
Moving into your first home is an exciting experience, but it can also be overwhelming. To manage the move properly, you need a wide variety of tools you may never have considered before. You may not realize you should have purchased a certain item until you need it.  To prepare for the move into your new home, make sure you have all of the items listed below.  Storage For Documents As a homeowner, you will need to keep and organize a variety of documents, including receipts, warranties and even your mortgage papers. Consider buying a fireproof box or cabinet to…
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11 May 2021
By noelkelman

How to Become a Homeowner: First Time Home Buyer Guide

Mortgage, ,
Becoming a homeowner for the first time is exciting. However, for many potential buyers, the process can also be confusing. Below is an overview of the steps you need to complete in order to buy your first home.  Work Out The Finances The first step in buying a home is deciding on a price range. This price range will be determined by your income, as well as your own comfort level with home prices and monthly payments. Consider all of these factors to determine the maximum amount you are willing to spend on your new home.  In most cases, you…
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