Struggling to Get Approved Because of Your Income? 5 Reasons to Consider a FHA Loan

Buying a home isn't cheap. But if you're determined to become a homeowner, the FHA home loan program can help. This loan program, ideal for first-time buyers with low incomes, can help you to build your credit and make home ownership a reality. So why should you consider an FHA loan? Here are just a few ways you'll benefit from these government-backed mortgages. You Can Get Approved With Just 3.5% Down Traditional mortgage lenders typically require you to pay 20% down on your mortgage, or 5% if you have good credit and agree to pay mortgage insurance premiums. But for…
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A Guide to Financing Home Improvements and How Mortgage Refinancing Can Help

If you're planning to remodel or renovate your home in the near future - whether to provide a better living environment or as part of a house flip - you'll need to find a way to pay for your home improvements. There are several different possible sources of renovation money, each with their own advantages and disadvantages. One option that is gaining popularity is mortgage refinancing. How does mortgage refinancing work, and how does it compare to other renovation financing options? How can you use a mortgage refinance to get the most out of your renovation? Here's what you need…
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The Do’s and Don’ts of Getting Approved for a Mortgage Quickly

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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Major Mistakes Which Are Sure to Increase Your Closing Costs

When shopping for a mortgage, it is important to take closing costs into account. While some closing costs are the same for all lenders, different programs may add or reduce some of the burden borrowers face when closing on a home loan. Let's take a look at some major mistakes that could result in borrowers paying more than they need to in closing costs. 1) Failing to Take Property Taxes Into Account Property taxes are generally put into an escrow account that is established prior to closing on the home loan. In most cases, a homeowner will have to pay…
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What Happens at a Mortgage Loan Closing Meeting? Let’s Take a Look

So you've found the perfect home, the seller has accepted your offer, and now you're just waiting for the mortgage to close before you wrap up the sale and take possession. It's time for the closing meeting. But what does this meeting entail? And what do you need to prepare for it? Here's what you need to know. The Day Prior: Walking Through The Property 24 hours before the closing meeting, you'll be given an opportunity to walk through the property and do a final inspection. During this inspection, you'll be able to look for any damage that may have…
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Have You Been Denied for a Mortgage? Here Are 3 Reasons Why You’ll Want to Keep Trying

If you're in the market for a new home, you'll most likely need a mortgage in order to afford it. But for some home buyers, getting a mortgage isn't easy. Banks and other lenders are often hesitant to lend money to certain consumers, often for good reason. But sometimes, lenders' reasons for declining you aren't entirely valid. That's why, if you've been denied for a mortgage, you'll want to keep trying to get mortgage funds. Here are three factors that can influence the likelihood of approval on the second try. A Second Appraisal Might Change Your Circumstances Sometimes, a mortgage…
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What Are the Advantages to Paying off Your Mortgage Early? Here Are a Few That Might Entice You

If you're looking into fixed term mortgages, you might be wondering whether there's any reason why you should take the full term to pay off the loan. In a lot of cases, paying off a mortgage before it comes due is a great decision. If you're considering paying off your mortgage early, you'll experience a variety of benefits – here are just a few of them. You'll Save Thousands In Interest Payments By and large, the single biggest advantage of paying off a mortgage early is the money you'll save in interest. The longer you take to pay off your…
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How to Use a Mortgage Calculator to Determine Your Monthly Payments, Interest and More

Are you thinking about using a mortgage to buy a new home? Buying your own piece of local real estate is a major financial investment and one that can require some pretty complex math to fully understand. In this blog post we'll discuss mortgage calculators and how to use one of these tools to determine your monthly mortgage payments, interest charges, amortization periods and more. Determining Your Principal and Down Payment Amounts To get started with a mortgage calculator you'll need to know how the price of the home and how much you intend to contribute as a down payment.…
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