17
Aug
By Todd Grey
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Understanding the Jumbo Mortgage and Why Refinancing These Mortgages is Different

It seems like everything is getting jumbo sized these days. Jumbo sized soft drinks. Jumbo sized fast food meals. Jumbo sized smartphones. But one thing that nobody thought would get jumbo sized? Is mortgages. So what exactly is a jumbo mortgage? How is it different from a standard mortgage, and what does that mean for your refinancing options? Here's what you need to know. Jumbo Mortgages: Larger Sums For Enterprises And Wealthy Buyers As the name implies, the main factor that sets jumbo mortgages apart from standard mortgages is the loan limit. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac impose mortgage limits…
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06
Aug
By Todd Grey
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Money Matters: Understanding How a Mortgage Loan Can Be a Productive Investment

Most people tend to think of a mortgage loan as a necessary evil, an expense that has to be managed. But under the right circumstances, your mortgage can become a smart investment - something that makes you money instead of costing you money. With a little bit of ingenuity and a lot of hard work, you can turn your mortgage into a money-making investment that will pay dividends for years to come. So how do you turn your mortgage loan into a productive investment? Here's what you need to know. A Mortgage Can Help You Buy A New Rental Property…
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03
Aug
By Todd Grey
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

The Down Payment: Four Great Reasons To Make The Largest Down Payment You Can Afford

If you’re looking for a new home, you’ve probably heard lots of advice about down payments. About how it’s okay to just have a five percent down payment – you’ll still get approved. About how you should make the down payment as small as possible to avoid cash flow problems. In truth, you’re actually better off making the largest down payment you can possibly afford. Even if you have to slice up other areas of your budget, save for a few more years before you buy, or take a second job on the weekends, it’ll be worth it in the…
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30
Jul
By Todd Grey
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Will Missing Mortgage Payments Impact My FICO Score? Yes – and Here’s How

If you're like most homeowners, you probably believe that one missed mortgage payment won't have a noticeable impact on your FICO score. People get behind now and then, and besides, you've been faithfully making payments on time for years. How bad could it be? In truth, even one missed mortgage payment could seriously damage your FICO score. Lenders can report missed monthly payments whenever they choose - they don't need to wait until a certain date to do it. That means even if your mortgage payment is a few days late, your lender may report it as unpaid. So what…
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16
Jul
By Todd Grey
Home Mortgage Tips, ,

Five Required Mortgage Closing Costs – And A Few Tips On How To Minimize Them

Mortgages are expensive, and closing costs only add to the financial burden that homebuyers face. But with a little knowledge, you can pinpoint places to save on your mortgage closing costs and keep more money in your pocket. When you're negotiating your next mortgage, use these tips to reduce required closing costs and keep more of your hard-earned money. Title Insurance: Request The Simultaneous Issue Rate Title insurance is an important add-on that no buyer should go without. At the time of closing, there may be a variety of title problems that could arise, such as like encroachments, easements, unpaid…
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