Renting Versus Buying: The Practical Truth

There are many factors to consider when considering renting versus buying a home. Chief among these can be your desired mobility. Indeed, suppose you anticipate your residence in a place to be short-term. In that case, renting does afford a greater degree of flexibility. And yet, as the availability of housing continues to grow tighter, […]

Saving to Buy a House: A 7-Step Guide

Saving for a new home is unlike any other savings experience. You’re not just filling a bank account and hitting a number. Instead, you’re preparing for what is likely the largest purchase of your life.  In a competitive housing market where bidding wars are common, you’ll want to have every advantage when saving for a […]

5 Useful Tips For First-Time Home Buyers

If you’re a first-time home buyer, it can feel like you’re taking a crash course in the real estate industry. From the type of home you want to what you can afford to the myriad options for financing, it can be overwhelming. As mortgage professionals, we’ve seen it all from our side of the lending […]

A Guide To Debt-To-Income Ratio When Buying A Hous...

When you apply for a mortgage, lenders execute financial calculations to determine whether or not you qualify for a loan. Therefore, you should become familiar with the debt-to-income ratio (DTI) before buying your home. This formula will help you understand what lenders are looking for when approving loans and how to ensure your financial health […]

Making a House Offer Without a Buyer’s Agent: A ...

Buying a house without a real estate agent can be scary if you do not know where to start. But, while it may not be easy to maneuver through without an agent, it is still possible to buy your dream house if you learn various tips and tricks. The tips will guide you in making […]

Make Sellers’ Agents Know You Are a Serious ...

How to Make Sellers’ Agents Know You Are a Serious Buyer Today’s housing market is experiencing increased competition. With lower housing inventory and fast-moving buyers, bidding wars and competitive offers have become more common. As a result, buyers may need to act more quickly to have an edge in this crowded landscape.  One way to […]

Pre-Qualification vs. Pre-Approval: What’s t...

“You’ve Been Pre-Qualified!” We’ve all received mailers and emails letting us know that our finances are in good shape to buy a house. The message usually goes on to say that you’re a great potential customer to become a homeowner. After a pre-assessment of your finances, credit history, and earning potential, a lender has determined […]

12 Personal Finance Do’s and Don’ts when Refin...

When you refinance your house, the new loan pays off the existing loan. The most obvious advantage of refinancing is helping financially strained borrowers to use some of the money from their home’s value to cater to other needs. This is especially helpful when you’re anticipating an increase in your budget.  Other benefits include shortening […]

Pocket Guide: Is Now The Right Time To Buy A Home?

“Is now the right time to buy a home?” This is a question that everyone should ask themselves when they start dreaming of a new house and saving up for a down payment. Whether you’ve been saving for several years or you have just started dreamily browsing Zillow, the best time to buy is mostly […]

Everything You Need to Know About Homestead Exempt...

Did you know that when you pay property taxes, the money is used to fund government services? The government receives revenues by taxing the proceeds of investments and certain incomes. Such taxes fund the jobs of government employees and also help in infrastructure development. These taxes can be a burden on many homeowners. Fortunately, homestead […]