Residential Mortgage-Backed Security A residential mortgage-backed security, or RMBS, is a type of mortgage-backed debt obligation. The cash flows come from residential debt, through things such as a mortgage, home-equity loans, and subprime mortgages. In other words, a residential mortgage-backed security is a fixed income security collateralized by a residential... read more →
Nov
08
Nov
07
What are lender credits? Not everyone has the ability to pay the closing costs. If you are in the position where you are purchasing a home, but are not able to pay the upfront closing costs, you might want to consider lender credits. Lender credits are money given to you... read more →
Nov
07
Is a basement included in the overall square footage of a home? When researching new homes or you are about to put your home on the market, there are a lot of things that you should know. One thing that you should be aware of is what is and isn’t... read more →
Nov
07
Subprime vs Prime Mortgages There are two major categories for loans for borrowers, prime mortgages and subprime mortgages. Subprime mortgages are designed for people with lower or blemished credit scores. As such, they are riskier for lenders and usually cost the borrower more. Subprime Mortgages A subprime mortgage is a... read more →
Nov
06
What is a chattel mortgage? A chattel mortgage is a loan agreement where movable personal property is used as security for the loan and guarantees the loan. For an object to be considered movable, the item in question cannot cause any change or damage to the real estate property, such... read more →
Nov
06
Delinquency and Mortgage The term delinquent describes something or someone that fails to accomplish what is required, such as failure to make a required payment. There are consequences if this happens, depending on the loan type, duration, and the cause of the delinquency. For a mortgage, delinquency happens when a... read more →
Nov
06
Professional Staging and Photography With the proliferation of technology and new tools for finding properties, selling your home can be an increasingly competitive proposition. One of the best ways to ensure that your house or apartment stands out from the crowd is to work with a realtor who brings expertise... read more →
Nov
03
November Home Maintenance With the beginning of November, comes the beginning of the holiday season. This means more people coming in and out of your home. Here are some home maintenance things for November you should take care of before it gets too busy. Call and schedule a plumber The... read more →
Nov
03
What you need to know about brownstones One of the most famous and popular house types is the classic brownstone. Brownstones, commonly associated with New York City, became popular in the 1840s. During this time, brownstone was plentiful and inexpensive, making it a great option for an ever-expanding New York... read more →
Nov
03
What is an Easement? An easement is a property right that gives a holder nonpossessory interest in someone else’s land. More simply, it is the right to the use of/access to the land owned by another. Most easements are affirmative, meaning that they involve the preservation of a person’s access... read more →
Nov
02
What is a second mortgage? A second mortgage, or junior lien, is a loan you take out using your house as collateral while still having another loan on your home. If you take out a second mortgage, it’s likely that you will be charged a higher interest rate. This is... read more →
Nov
02
Setting up a home office Working from home has a lot of benefits. You get to set your own schedule, work at your own pace, and you get to cut out that long commute. However, before you can start working from home, you should set up a home office. A... read more →
Nov
02
Credit Freeze A credit freeze, otherwise known as a security freeze, is a tool that allows you to restrict access to your credit report. This makes it more difficult for identity thieves to open new accounts in your name, as most creditors need to see your credit report before they... read more →
Nov
01
Interior Designers and Interior Decorators Whether you’re decorating a home office or a bedroom, there are many decisions to make. Sometimes, the number of decisions left before you can become overwhelming. To make this process easier, consider hiring an interior designer or an interior decorator. Having a designer or decorator on... read more →
Nov
01
Build the Library of Your Dreams Every bookworm dreams of having their own personal library, the perfect place to escape to new worlds between the pages of a book. Building a library in your home isn’t as difficult as you may think! Choose your spot Choosing where you want your... read more →
Nov
01
Buydown Mortgages There are many different options when it comes to payment for a mortgage loan. One of those options is a mortgage buydown. A mortgage buydown has upfront cash payments that reduce the borrowers’ monthly mortgage payments on their loan. Mortgage buydowns include principal and interest in each monthly... read more →
Oct
31
Styling a Bar Cart Bar carts have been gaining popularity (again) over the past few years. They are a great way to display your liquor. Additionally, they stash away easily, making it a great storage option for someone who doesn’t have a lot of space. Bar carts are the perfect... read more →
Oct
31
Recycling is important. However, sometimes we are unsure about what we can and cannot recycle. Your community may have certain guidelines that expand upon or require you to recycle certain materials separately. Make sure that you are following these guidelines. Generally, you should recycle all bottles, cans, and paper. Make... read more →
Oct
30
Proper Attic Ventilation Proper attic ventilation is important. Most experts say that a well-ventilated attic keeps homes more comfortable in the summer and protects against heated air building up in the winter. Make sure that your attic is well ventilated with these following tips. Common Causes for Poor Ventilation There... read more →
Oct
30
Typical Backyard Wedding Expenses Many people have been opting for backyard or outdoor weddings instead of the traditional, venue weddings. They can be less expensive than other weddings. However, you may run into costs that you were unaware of. Here is a breakdown of customary backyard wedding costs. Typical Costs... read more →
Oct
30
The Loan-to-Value Ratio The loan-to-value (LTV) ratio is a lending risk assessment that lenders use to examine before approving a mortgage. Assessments with higher LTV ratios are generally seen as a higher risk. If the mortgage is approved, the borrower’s loan generally costs more. A loan with a higher LTV... read more →
Oct
27
The Differences Between Gas and Wood-Burning Fireplaces There’s nothing better in the cold months of fall and winter than to warm up in front of a fireplace. There are two different types of fireplaces: gas and wood. When deciding what type of fireplace to install, there are several things to... read more →
Oct
27
Different Types of Paint Finishes When painting, choosing the right color is only have the battle. In addition to the multitude of colors that are available, there are also multiple different paint finishes. As a general rule of thumb, the higher the sheen, or shine, that a paint finish has,... read more →
Oct
27
Your First Credit Card Getting a credit card is an important step in life. However, before applying for the first card you see, here are some things that you should know. When should you get your first credit card? Though it may sound silly, the best time to get a... read more →
Oct
26
Alternative housing options have been gaining a lot of popularity recently. Nowadays, you can find people living in a variety of different housing options. One of these alternative housing options that have been gaining popularity in recent years is a houseboat. What is a Houseboat? A houseboat is a broad... read more →
Oct
26
Define: loan to value ratio Definition: The loan to value ratio is the relationship between the loan amount and the value of the property expressed as a percentage of the property's value.
Oct
26
Many people take the opportunity in the summer to grow a garden in their backyard. As the weather turns colder, you don’t need to give up your dreams of fresh herbs in your dinners. Bring that herb garden inside! Here are some of the best plants to perfect your indoor... read more →
Oct
26
Despite linens and mattress pads, mattresses get dirty. Mattress can attract crumbs, sweat, and so many other gross things. To keep your mattress fresh, you’ll need to clean it periodically. And it’s easier than you may think. Vacuum If you have a mattress cover, remove it. After removing it, run... read more →
Oct
25
Everybody has to face doing their laundry by themselves for the first time. Here’s a step by step guide on how to do your laundry. Step One: Read the Label Be sure to check the care labels on your garments and linens. Care labels let you know whether an item... read more →
Oct
25
Not every room can be the biggest in the house. If you’re faced with smaller spaces, you might find it hard to decorate. Here are some tips and tricks to maximize the space and make a small room look larger than life. Paint or wallpaper the ceiling Drawing the eye... read more →
Oct
25
An estate sale, or a tag sale, is one way of liquidating a family’s or estate’s belongings. Typically, estate sales are conducted after the death of someone, but can also be used when a family needs to downsize, is moving, is getting divorced, or in the case of bankruptcy. Think... read more →
Oct
24
For whatever the reason may be, many families choose to become a one-income household at some point in their lives. While this is a totally reasonable decision, it should not be made on a whim. You should sit down with your partner and discuss the following steps to ensure that... read more →
Oct
24
Let’s face it, your kitchen gets dirty. It’s inevitable. Which means that cleaning your kitchen is also inevitable. Sometimes, a surface clean just won’t do. Here’s how to deep clean your kitchen in those times. Pre-clean: Wash and put away any dirty dishes Clear away any clutter that does not... read more →
Oct
24
A divorce means splitting up the assets you have obtained throughout your marriage. One of the more difficult assets to split can be the home. Even after you decide who is going to get the home, a lender will not see the ties that bind as severed until the ex... read more →
Oct
23
Moving is a stressful process to begin with. Add in dogs, and the stress levels can go through the roof, for you and your dog. Here’s how to make the transition easier on you and your dog, from leaving your home, through travel, and finally settling into your new home.... read more →
Oct
23
Storm windows provide great thermal insulation and soundproofing, especially for the colder months. A storm window is a window mounted on the inside or outside of the main glass windows of a home. Here’s how to install storm windows into your home. Step One: Take Measurements First things first, measure... read more →
Oct
23
The Differences Between Conforming & Non-Conforming Loans Many people apply for loans when paying their mortgage. Two common types of loans are conforming and non-conforming loans. Conforming Loans Today, conforming loans are sold to Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or the Federal Housing Agency (FHA) within a few days of closing.... read more →
Oct
20
It’s never too early or too late to start planning for retirement. Consider the following six tips to start growing your retirement fund. Start saving early. This one is simple. The sooner you start saving, the less you have to save each year. Most experts recommend that you start saving... read more →
Oct
20
Wallpaper is a great alternative for anyone who doesn’t want to paint or wants a bold pattern. Here’s how to get your wallpaper looking perfect. Use a sponge and a bucket of warm water to wipe down the walls to get rid of any imperfections. Let the walls dry completely.... read more →
Oct
20
What is a reverse mortgage? A reverse mortgage is a mortgage loan for senior citizens which requires no monthly payments. However, borrowers are still required to pay property taxes, insurance, and maintain the house. The loan does not become due as long as you use the house as your primary... read more →
Oct
19
October is in full swing. Before the weather gets too cold, here’s a few home maintenance things you should do before winter sets in. Replace your HVAC system The HVAC (Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning) system’s filter needs to be replaced every one to three months. This is done to... read more →
Oct
19
Stress can get to us all. There’s nothing better to relax than a spa day. However, not all of us have the money or the time to spend a day at the spa. There’s nothing stopping you from bringing the luxury of the spa into your own home. Here’s how... read more →
Oct
19
If you are looking to subsidize a large purchase or debt a high-interest loan may not be the best option. Instead, opt for either a home equity loan, a cash-out refinance, or HELOC. Home Equity Loan A home equity loan works much like a second mortgage, although usually smaller than... read more →
Oct
18
Clothes dryers can be found in approximately 81.5 million homes throughout the United States. While they are a major convenience, if they are not properly cared for, they can cause fires. What causes dryer fires? Most dryer fires are caused by extra lint. Extra lint builds up when the dryer... read more →
Oct
18
October brings with it activities that are perfect children or the adult who is still a child a heart. One of the classic activities that is perfect for October is pumpkin carving! Here’s how to get the perfect pumpkin carving. Buy a pumpkin shortly before Halloween Halloween excitement can build... read more →