In today’s real estate market, mortgage interest rates are near record lows. If you’ve been in your current home for several years and haven’t refinanced lately, there’s a good chance you have a mortgage with an interest rate higher than … [Read more...]
Four Reasons a 20% Down Payment is a Good Idea
If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, you may be wondering how much money you need to come up with for your down payment. Many people may think it’s 20% of the loan to secure a mortgage. While there are plenty of lower down payment … [Read more...]
Why Mortgage Rates May Increase and What It Means for Home Buyers
We’re currently experiencing historically low mortgage rates. Over the last fifty years, the average on a Freddie Mac 30-year fixed-rate mortgage has been 7.76%. Today, that rate is 2.81%. Flocks of homebuyers have been taking advantage of … [Read more...]
Do Home Buyers Need a 20% Down Payment?
Is the idea of saving for a down payment holding you back from buying a home right now? You may be eager to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates, but the thought of needing a large down payment might make you want to pump the … [Read more...]
Over 6 Million Homeowners Entered a Forbearance Plan. How Will This Affect the Housing Market?
According to the latest report from Black Knight, Inc., a well-respected provider of data and analytics for mortgage companies, 6.48 million households have entered a forbearance plan as a result of financial concerns brought on by the … [Read more...]
Here is a Primer on Forbearance and Mortgage Relief Options
Earlier this year when the nation pressed pause on the economy and unemployment rates jumped up significantly, many homeowners were immediately concerned about being able to pay their mortgages, and understandably so. To assist in this … [Read more...]
Exposing the Mortgage Down Payment Myth for Homebuyers
One of the biggest misconceptions for first-time homebuyers is how much you’ll need to save for a down payment. Contrary to popular belief, you don’t always have to put 20% down to buy a house. Here’s how it breaks down. A recent survey … [Read more...]
Why Homebuyers Need a Mortgage Loan Pre-Approval Before Submitting an Offer
You may have heard that mortgage loan pre-approval is a great first step in the homebuying process. But why is it so important? When looking for a home, the temptation to fall in love with a house that’s outside your budget is very real. … [Read more...]
Mortgage Forbearance Numbers During COVID Much Less Than Expected
Originally, some housing industry analysts were concerned that the mortgage forbearance program (which allows families to delay payments to a later date) could lead to an increase in foreclosures when forbearances end. Some even worried … [Read more...]
Mortgage Credit Availability Looks Very Different Today Than In 2008
Some are afraid the real estate market may be looking a lot like it did prior to the housing crash in 2008. One of the factors they’re pointing at is the availability of mortgage money. Recent articles about the availability of low down … [Read more...]
The Mortgage Process and What is Needed to Qualify for a Mortgage Loan [INFOGRAPHIC]
Some Highlights: Many buyers are purchasing homes with down payments as little as 3%. You may already qualify for a loan, even if you don’t have perfect credit. Your local loan professionals are here to help you determine how … [Read more...]
Here are the FICO® Scores Needed to Qualify for a Mortgage
It’s common knowledge that your FICO® score plays an important role in the homebuying process. However, many buyers have misconceptions regarding what exactly is required to get the loans they need. While a recent announcement from CNBC … [Read more...]
62% of Buyers Begin Process With Incorrect Assumption About Minimum Down Payments
Contrary to common misconception, a down payment is often much less than many believe. According to the ‘2019 Home Buyer Report’ conducted by Nerdwallet, many first-time buyers still believe they need a 20% down payment to buy … [Read more...]
Do Not Do These 7 Things After Applying for a Mortgage
Congratulations! You’ve found a home to buy and have applied for a mortgage! You’re undoubtedly excited about the opportunity to decorate your new home, but before you make any large purchases, move your money around, or make any big-time … [Read more...]
