Get the latest info on mortgages, home equity, and refinancing at the home loans blog. First-time homebuyers and seasoned homeowners alike will find helpful and current information on the wide world of mortgage lending.
PACE loans are meant to be home equity types of loan products used to cover energy-efficiency upgrades to homes, so they’re primarily utilized for big-budget items like solar panels, tankless water heaters, HVAC upgrades, and new window and door installation. Sounds pretty awesome, right?
Read MoreThe truth is that home buyer grants aren’t actually for everybody, but they are for a lot of people. In fact, there are so many out there that unless your income is exceptionally high for the area or you’re on a tight schedule, you’ll probably find plenty of places that will give you a grant or something similar to get into your first home.
Read MoreChoosing the mortgage that’s right for you can be really confusing and complicated, especially if you’re one of many buyers who has a lot of options to choose between. Do you go with the 30-year conventional or the 30-year FHA? What’s this USDA thing all about? This blog should help fill in what you need to know about the different types of mortgages.
Read MoreIt may be hip to do things unconventionally, but that notion doesn't quite apply when you're choosing a mortgage -- especially when we're talking about an adjustable rate mortgage versus a fixed rate mortgage. Adjustable Rate Mortgages aren't for everyone, but that doesn't mean they're not for you. If you're very self-aware and know what you need to do to complement your financial picture, it could be the perfect instrument to help you achieve your goals.
Read MoreHow much are closing costs, really? When it comes to nearly anything else in life that you buy, you know the price up front. You buy a bag of bananas, it’s 49 cents a pound. You order a new laser printer, it’s a couple hundred bucks. You know what it’s going to cost, to the penny, before you agree to buy the thing.
Read MoreIn our last post, we explained the Loan Estimate form and how it can help a mortgage shopper decide between mortgage loan options. This blog is about that form’s fraternal twin, the Closing Disclosure form. They’re two pieces of a whole, designed to ensure that you get the loan you think you’re getting and all your mortgage and closing related expenses are spelled out in plain English.
Read MoreIf you’re a first-time home buyer, you may have no idea how much house you can actually afford. What’s expensive for some buyers may be totally doable for you (whereas that cobblestone dream home down the street may be more of a future goal than a practical starter home). There’s no quick formula to figuring out how much you should spend on your home, but we’ll give you the top 6 factors to consider so you can start honing in on your ideal price range.
Read MoreWhen you’re staring down yet another $400 utility bill in the dead of winter, the idea of an energy-efficient house might start to seem really appealing. An energy-efficient home loan is one approach to funding home improvements, however it can also lead to higher periodic mortgage payments. Energy-efficient mortgages are most of the times accompanied by potential challenges.
Read MoreGetting a good deal on your dream house requires you to be informed on current rates, and educated when it comes the home buying process. Whether you want to buy your own home or an investment property, remember: whenever you can, avoid settling for the existing market-price.
Read MoreYou might have mastered the art of nailing a good deal on a home, but that’s all for naught if you don’t pick a home that matches your personality and needs. Finding the perfect house is like going on a blind date; you have to think about how your date makes you feel, whether they’ll connect with your loved ones, and whether you have a future together.
Read MoreAre you shopping for a new home? You may have already noticed how househunting can be bizarrely taxing to the body and mind. Don’t worry, we’re here to get you to the other side of ownership with a big smile on your face. So, let’s jump straight into the deep end and take a look at the top first-time home buyer mistakes.
Read MoreYou may think you can't buy a home if your credit is poor, but we have some good news: even if your credit score is lurking somewhere in the depths of the Atlantic Ocean, you can still own your dream home—and without a down payment of 20%.
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