When people start the process of trying to find a home, they want to make sure that they take the time to get this decision right. The reality is that a home is the most expensive purchase that most people are ever going to make. As a result, they need to make sure they find a home that will meet their needs. At the same time, it will be hard to find a home that is truly perfect. Therefore, it is a great idea for everyone to come up with a list of necessities and a list of features on which they can be more flexible. How can people do this? How can people fall in love with an imperfect home? Remember That There Are Options Every home is going to have its flaws. Those who spend the time … [Continue Reading...]
If you've had some trouble getting approved for a mortgage recently, you're not alone. Many individuals face mortgage challenges due to past blemishes on their credit reports or a personal financial crisis that resulted in bills not being paid on time. In this post we'll share three quick tips for sprucing up your personal credit before reapplying for a mortgage. With a bit of luck and hard work you can be on your way to purchasing that new dream home. Pay Off Your Credit Cards And Lines Of Credit The easiest way to improve your credit score and prove that you can afford your mortgage payments is to eliminate other forms of debt from your monthly budget. If you have outstanding credit card, … [Continue Reading...]
There are many people who are looking to buy a home during the COVID-19 pandemic; however, given the public health crisis that the pandemic has created, some potential homeowners are finding it difficult to go about buying a home in the traditional manner. As a result, banks and credit unions have woken up to a major shift in society as they have had to catch up to the digital age. Right now, there are record numbers of people who are looking to buy a new home or refinance due to the massive rate cuts that the government has instituted in an effort to jump-start the economy. At the same time, without virtual lending options, banks and credit unions might miss out. This has led to a growth in … [Continue Reading...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation, job openings, a speech by Fed Chair Jerome Powell on the economy, and the latest Consumer Sentiment Index from the University of Michigan. Weekly reports on new and continuing jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released. Hiring Surge and Job Separations Ease in August The U.S. Department of Labor reported fewer job openings in August with 6.49 million job openings reported as compared to July’s reading of 6.70 million jobs available. Analysts noted that this indicated a slowdown in hiring after businesses re-opened when COVID-19 restrictions lapsed. Job separations, which include quits, layoffs. and … [Continue Reading...]
When you buy a home, you will be given a title to your new property. A title is a legal document that proves you own the property, and in most cases the title excludes other parties from making an ownership claim. However, not all titles give you free and clear ownership of the property. Title insurance protects you and your lender from title disputes and other ownership issues that may arise. Here are just a few ways that title insurance can impact your mortgage. How Title Insurance Protects A Lender There are certain situations in which someone might put a lien on your property. New owners might see liens if the previous owner failed to pay the mortgage, if a contractor did work without … [Continue Reading...]
When it comes to finding a home, this is an exciting time. Many people love looking at houses; however, the reality is that people also need to think carefully about how much house they can actually afford. Buying a home is a big decision and for many people this is going to be the most expensive purchase they ever make in their lives. Therefore, it is important to take the time to get this decision right. There are plenty of ways for people to calculate how much house they can actually afford. With a budget in mind, this will make the shopping process easier. The 28 Percent Rule One of the top ways that people can figure out how much house they can afford is called the 28 percent rule. This … [Continue Reading...]