21
Apr
By Todd Grey
Mortgage, ,

Ensuring A Stress-Less Closing

Buying a home is an exciting and exhilarating time. Between the time your offer is accepted, and when you finally have keys in hand and you are ready to step into your new home, it can be stressful. The escrow period, also known as the closing, can take the most easygoing home buyer to the brink of insanity. After you have negotiated your best price and come to an agreement, there are ways to make the escrow process less anxiety-provoking. Here are some tips from top real estate agents to help you get through the escrow process without losing your…
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18
Apr
By Todd Grey
Mortgage, ,

The Top Homeownership Expenses You Need To Know

Owning a home can be an exciting and rewarding experience, but it's important to be aware of the expenses that come with homeownership. Understanding these costs can help you prepare for and manage them effectively, ensuring a smoother transition into your new home. The Mortgage Payment The mortgage payment is typically the largest expense that homeowners face. This monthly payment consists of the principal and interest on your home loan. The principal is the amount you borrowed to purchase the home, while the interest is the cost of borrowing the money. The length of your loan term and the interest…
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07
Apr
By Todd Grey
Mortgage, ,

A Home Equity Loan Versus A HELOC

If you are looking for a quick source of cash, you may have been told that you can tap into the equity in your home. If you have at least 20 percent equity in your home, you can borrow against that equity at a relatively low interest rate for a quick source of funding. You might be deciding whether to apply for a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit, which is usually shortened to HELOC.  Home Equity Loan A home equity loan is a loan that you will receive based on the equity you have in…
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05
Apr
By Todd Grey
Mortgage, ,

How To Successfully Use Your Down Payment to Achieve Your Home Buying Goals

When you are considering purchasing a home, understanding the lending guidelines regarding a down payment is important.  Here are a few key tips to consider: Gifting of a Down Payment There are some programs that will allow you to use a gift for your home down payment. However, before you assume this, make sure you talk to your loan officer. Generally speaking, the lender will require the person making the gift to provide a letter stating the money was a gift and does not require repayment. Windfalls as a Down Payment When people hit the lottery or come into money…
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31
Mar
By Todd Grey
Mortgage, ,

White Lies That Could Make It Harder To Buy A Home

Right now, the real estate market is very competitive, and you might be tempted to use a few white lies to make your offer seem more competitive. No matter how much you want to purchase a home, you need to make sure you are completely honest and open when you go through the process from start to finish. What or a few examples of common white lies that people tell that could jeopardize your application or your mortgage as a whole? Lying About Your Primary Residence If you plan on living in the house full-time, make sure you say so.…
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