Category: First Time Home Buyers
The Importance of the New Dodd Frank Mortgage Guidelines
There is a lot of buzz relating to the new Dodd Frank mortgage guidelines which go into effect on January 10th. I have noticed an increasing number of on-air personalities have been discussing it on TV, and most of this discussion is in mortgage jargon. I think these changes can have a staggering impact upon […]
The Real Cost of Renting
As a mortgage professional, I meet a lot of folks who are just starting out. They are renters who are on the fence, wondering whether or not purchasing a home makes financial sense. This is a common question which most first time home buyers have, and it is certainly understandable. So when I have this […]
What is an Option ARM?
Over the last few weeks, I’ve talked about what a fixed rate mortgage is, what an adjustable rate mortgage is, and how they compare to one another. Today, I would like to discuss a specific mortgage which has gained a lot of media attention over the last few years: the Option ARM. An Option ARM […]
Is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage or a Fixed Rate Mortgage Better?
After discussing different options for the type of mortgage a client might want, the conversation will often come back to this question: am I better off with an adjustable rate mortgage or a fixed rate mortgage? And while I would love to be able to definitively answer that question for my customers, the truth is, […]
What is a Fixed Rate Mortgage?
Last week, I explained what an adjustable rate mortgage is, and when it could be an appropriate product. Today, I plan on explaining what a fixed rate mortgage is, and how fixed rate mortgages work. Fixed rate mortgages have a set interest rate which will not change for the life of the loan. Prevailing interest […]
Making Extra Mortgage Payments
Making extra principal payments on your mortgage can have a number of benefits – these extra payments can reduce the number of years you are in debt, save you thousands upon thousands of dollars in interest over the life of the loan, and allow you to build equity in your home much more quickly, should […]
Buying a House Without a Realtor
A growing trend I have noticed over the last few years is homebuyers looking to go through the process without a realtor. And while you can save some money in fees to the realtor, I personally would not recommend this. A realtor adds a lot more to the home buying process than many prospective homebuyers […]
Buying a New Construction Home
Many of my clients decide they would like to build their own home rather than buy an older one. If you are considering buying a new construction home, there are a few things to keep in mind, which I have learned from my clients over the year. The first thing to remember is that prices […]
Mortgages Largely Unaffected by Government Shutdown
Last week, I discussed some of the consequences of the government shutdown on the mortgage industry. Now, 6 days after the government reopened, I am proud to report that the impact has been almost nonexistent. Mortgages continued to close during the shutdown and continue to now. No one lost a home or lost an interest […]
Buying a House With Bad Credit
There is a lot of misinformation online in relation to credit and qualifying for a mortgage. Yes, credit is certainly a factor when determining eligibility, but many people qualify who do not realize they do. This can be for a number of reasons – if you or your spouse are a veteran, you qualify for […]