This is a really common question I get during initial consultations with clients, and it is a very hard one to answer. In a perfect world, you would put down at least 20% and that would create the perfect payment that you are comfortable with. In reality, that’s not usually the case; sometimes it makes […]

If you are buying a house with a FHA mortgage or with a conventional mortgage with less than 20% down, you will probably have some form of mortgage insurance. This is an additional monthly charge on top of your normal payment to buy insurance on your mortgage. The insurance is not for you, though, it […]

When thinking about buying a home, one important piece to consider before any other is what is your borrowing power. Said another way, this means how much house you can afford. This is important for a number of reasons; you do not want to look at houses which are out of your price range, you […]

When you are ready to buy a new home, it is important to find the right mortgage officer for your needs. Some mortgage officers specialize in very unique products for unique situations, meaning if you fit that need, the officer is great for you, but if you don’t, he probably won’t be of much help. […]

If you currently own a home, or have ever owned a home in the past, you know that home maintenance costs can kill your monthly budget. They are usually unexpected costs which arise at the worst time, leaving you cursing your home and bad fortune. And because things with your home (think roof, foundation, windows, […]

I think it’s safe to say that we’d all like to be in a situation to retire some day. And that most of us would like that day to come sooner, rather than later. There are a number of ways to do this, but ultimately the smart money is on multiple streams of income. And […]

We have all seen the unprecedented movements in the housing market over the last 7 years. There were estimated depreciations of 20% nationally in 2007 and 18% in 2008, with continuing depreciation for several more years. Then, in 2012, we saw home prices go up as much as 23% in some areas, with similar growth […]

Now that tax day has come and gone, and we have seen the dust settle on our tax returns, it is time to consider how our most recent tax filing will impact our ability to qualify for a mortgage. As strange as it sounds, your ability to qualify for a mortgage could have changed drastically […]

As we discussed on Tuesday, homes which need repairs can often be a great way to get into the house of your dreams in your preferred neighborhood. It can be amazing how far a little work on a house can go as far as the home’s value, and thus what a good deal you can […]

When looking for a new home, it can be tempting to look for a “fixer upper.” These houses are usually offered at a steep discount, allow buyers to get into the neighborhood they want, and can offer some unique customization options. Aside from a custom built new home, these can be the best way to […]