Do you want to purchase a house? If you cannot pay cash for your house, you will need to apply for a mortgage. A mortgage loan originator can help you find the right mortgage to meet your needs. What are some of the job duties of a mortgage loan originator, and how can they help you with the financing process? Provide You With a Budget The house-hunting process can be exciting, but it can also be a bit stressful. How do you know if you can afford your dream house? This is one of the first jobs of a mortgage loan originator. A mortgage loan originator can help you review your financial statements and provide you with a limit against which you can borrow. Now that you know exactly how much … [Continue Reading...]
Last week’s economic news included readings on housing markets, inflation, retail sales, and data on housing starts and building permits issued. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. NAHB: Homebuilder sentiment improves in February The National Association of Home Builders reported higher builder confidence in current U.S. housing market conditions with an index reading of 42 for February; Analysts expected a reading of 37 and January’s reading was 35. NAHB index readings over 50 indicate that most home builders have a positive view of housing market conditions. Factors influencing positive builder sentiment included lower mortgage rates and … [Continue Reading...]
There's a whole lot to learn when buying one's first home, an investment that can bring joy, but sometimes, grief. A competent real estate agent can assist in locating those homes that meet the home buyer's needs and can advise on factors such as market value of the home and neighborhood services. The agent will help the buyer through the negotiation and purchase process. But the buyer should take responsibility to make sure that the steps below are taken. Home Inspection Contingency Included in Purchase Offer At the point where the buyer finds a home and decides to make an offer, the contract should be written contingent on an acceptable inspection. If serious issues are found, the buyer … [Continue Reading...]
Congratulations! You have finally closed on your home loan, and you are excited to get moved in. Or, you may have just refinanced your home, and you are excited to enjoy it. Regardless, all of a sudden, you start to get a bunch of junk mail in your mailbox. It can be frustrating to sort through everything, and how did they get your information in the first place? Where Junk Mailers Get Your Personal Information First, there are a few locations where junk mailers may have gotten your personal information. Once your property deed is recorded, it goes into the public record. Anyone who goes into the public record can find your name, the name of your lender, your loan amount, and your … [Continue Reading...]
In these days of low interest rates, it can be a great idea to get into the real estate market and invest in a home. However, if you don't have the funds saved up to buy a home outright, it may seem like more of a burden than it's worth. The good news is that you might qualify for a mortgage loan, which tends to come with more favorable terms than a traditional bank loan. Here are three reasons why a mortgage might just be the best money you ever borrow. Taking Advantage Of Low Interest Interest rates have been relatively low for a number of years, which can be a definite financial boon when it comes to your monthly mortgage payment. Unfortunately, though, the predictions forecast that rates … [Continue Reading...]
You are probably excited to close on your home, but you may have also seen that your interest rate might be a bit higher. If you are looking for a way to save money, particularly if you have a lot of work to do on the home, you might be looking for a way to reduce your interest rate during the first couple of years. One option is to perform a 2-1 buydown. What do you need to know about this option, and how do you know if it is right for you? How A 2-1 Buydown Works This is a special type of program that can help you slightly alter the financing on your home loan. Specifically, it has been designed to reduce the interest rate during the first two years of your mortgage. During the first year … [Continue Reading...]