New Search
If you are not happy with the results below please do another search
Blog Post
Saving for a Down Payment Buying a home can be a costly adventure, one that you might not have the expenses for yet. If you are planning on getting a home in the near or distant future, setting a budget for yourself will help you save immensely. The first step to start saving is to figure out how much you need to save! Sit down with a mortgage lender. They’ll be able to tell you how much you will be able to qualify for. From there, you can make a timeframe for yourself. If you plan on purchasing a home in the...
read more →
Blog Post
When to buy a home is a question that is on the mind of any homebuyer. There are many factors that determine when you should buy, and we're here to point you in the right direction. FINANCES Your finances are a big part of the equation when it comes to timing and buying a house. Your down payment. For most conventional loans, a lender will want to see at least a 20% of the home’s price as a down payment. Amassing that amount of money can be challenging, so start early. However, some lenders may require a down payment as...
read more →
Blog Post
Preparing for a Walkthrough Before closing on a property, you need to do a final walkthrough. As a buyer, here's some info to help you with the final walkthrough. Don’t do a final walkthrough on the day of your closing. A walkthrough can uncover repairs that should be made before closing. If you do the walkthrough on the same day as the closing, you might not have enough time to get the problems fixed. Many people have two walkthroughs, one to identify problems if any, and another to ensure those issues have been addressed. It is possible to push back...
read more →
Blog Post
Home Closing Process After choosing a home, the closing process starts. This article provides an overview of the closing process. Step 1: Starting the Process First thing's first, a sales contract needs to be signed by the seller and the buyer and delivered to the closing agent. The escrow is accepted by the escrow agent, and the agent starts the closing process by opening a title order. Once the title order is opened, the file begins processing. Legal papers, such as tax information, loan payoffs, homeowner fees, inspections, hazard, and other insurances are ordered as well. Step 2: Title Search and Examination...
read more →
Blog Post
Did you know that relationship statuses can change the mortgage application process? Here's how: Are you single? When you're single, the decisions and choices are yours alone, and that includes when and where you want to finance a home. However, singles often have one source of income which can make the total household income less than that of couples. If this presents a challenge, consider adding a cosigner. If you have a cosigner, you're viewed as less of a risk since the agreement shows that someone else can make the mortgage payments if you're unable to do so. However, having a cosigner...
read more →
Blog Post
What is Escrow? Escrow is a bond, deed, or similar document that is kept in the custody of a third party (the escrow agent). An escrow takes place when a certain conditions have been fulfilled. An escrow account sets aside items, such as the buyer’s bank check and the purchase agreement, and places them in an impartial holding area. How Does Escrow Work? Escrow protects all parties by making sure that no money is exchanged until all contingencies have been met. If there are any contingencies that need to be completed, such as a home inspection or any repairs, those are...
read more →
Blog Post
When you purchase a home, you aren’t handed that home, you are given a title. A title is the evidence that the owner is in possession of the property that was purchased. It is the owner’s right to possess the property and use it how they please. There are many different ways a home can be titled, such as singularly and with other people, as tenants in common or as joint tenants. As with anything, one may want to purchase insurance for their title. What is title insurance? Title insurance protects real estate owners and lenders against any property damage...
read more →
Blog Post
Buying a home takes preparation. Here’s your know-it-all timeline to help you in the buying process. Step One: Understand What You Can Afford Check your credit. A few months before you start looking for a home loan, get a copy of your credit score. Make sure that it is accurate. In addition, getting your credit report early allows you to correct any mistakes you may find. Understand your finances. Understanding your finances is one of the most important parts of the home buying process. Know your income, debts, savings, and monthly expenditures. This helps you to understand what you are...
read more →
Blog Post
Planning for Housing After Retirement When you are ready to take the step into retirement, that are many things that are important to consider. One of these things may be real estate. Here are some things that you may want to take into consideration if/when you are in this situation. 1. Is it in the right area? You will no longer need to be concerned with whether or not your home is in a good school area so you may want to pay attention to other features that may be more important to you. You might want to stay in your...
read more →
Blog Post
What is a first time home buyer loan and who is a first time home buyer? A first time home buyer loan is designed to help people purchase their first home. The programs vary depending on where you are purchasing and what is available to you. A first time home buyer program is mostly targeted towards people who are purchasing a home for the first time, but some programs will give assistance to people who have owned before, as long as they haven’t owned if several years. Some benefits made available to first time home buyers: Down Payments: First time...
read more →
« Previous Page — Next Page »