Whether you’re a longtime homeowner or a newbie, don’t forget to monitor your escrow account if your lender required one when you took out your mortgage. You want to avoid any pitfalls since it’s still your money (and your home!). Here’s a rundown of why you should always stay on top of things when it […]

VA loans are a great loan option for those who have served our country. These loans backed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, provide an affordable way for many military families to own their own home – and a way to say thank you for your service! Active-duty service members, veterans and surviving spouses […]

Do you know what you need to look out for when buying a home? If not, here are the top 5 things you need to consider so you can quickly move on to the next listing and not have any regrets. 1)     Location and Neighborhood No matter what type of home you buy – condo, […]

You’re in the market to buy a home and up pops “title insurance” in the buying process. Are you stumped and not sure exactly why you need to get it? Here’s a Q&A that should clear up any uncertainty. What is Title Insurance? Why is this important? The home you want to purchase may have […]

Buying a home takes a lot of preparation and planning. It’s important to get your finances in order and other tasks done before you even start house hunting! Keep in mind that this early stage of the buying process doesn’t happen overnight. It takes time on your part even before we start working together. That […]

Understanding mortgage loans and interest rates can be confusing and frustrating for many homebuyers. It doesn’t help that most advertised rates are just a marketing ploy to lure you in! In fact, a lender looks at several factors to determine an interest rate based on YOUR specific financial situation, including your credit score, your down-payment […]

Did you know that you can borrow money to buy a home from yourself if you have a 401k plan? Getting a 401k loan is one way to get additional money toward a down payment.  It’s a lump sum of money that is already yours — not the bank’s, not mom and dad’s, and not […]

When it comes to getting a mortgage, it’s easy to focus on the interest rate.  But, if you only focus on the interest rate, you might be missing some “hidden” fees that makes getting that interest rate more expensive. That sounds counterproductive but it isn’t. Several factors will help create the best mortgage and interest […]

Do you worry about PMI payments since you’re not able to put 20% down on your new home? You’re not alone!  Many buyer don’t have cash for a large downpayment, especially first timers or if you are buying and selling a home at a the same time.  Without 20% down,  private mortgage insurance (PMI) is […]

Maybe you’ve seen a home that you love but it was more fixer-upper than move-in-ready.  Dated kitchen, not enough bathrooms or no open floor plan — but it had a location you just love. Don’t cross it off your list! Whether you envision a big renovation or something on a smaller scare, there is a […]