It’s both exciting and a little scary to buy your first or next home. That feeling of nervousness and not knowing what to expect is normal!  That’s why it’s important to have a strategy from start to finish if you want to find the right home for you, especially in today’s market. And part of […]

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 […]

Last week we discussed why paying down your mortgage might not be the right choice for many homeowner since you could use any extra cash in higher return investments or maintain easier access to these funds than being tied up in your home. However, there are some situations where paying down a mortgage does make […]

There are lot of conversations about mortgages to be had.  Conversations about refinancing, about loans that help my clients buy and sell at the same time, and conversations about whether it makes sense to pay off your mortgage early or even make extra payments if you have additional funds.  I love talking about mortgages and […]

Are you giving your credit score the attention it deserves? If you’re even thinking about buying a home OR refinancing your current one in the near future, then you need to show it some love. Make sure you understand the ins and outs of your score and what you can do to make it more […]

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 […]

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 […]

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 […]

As a homeowner, you should have gained some equity in your home since living there and paying your mortgage down. Have you ever considered using this equity to finance some of your needs if you don’t have the cash flow? A home equity loan or line of credit are two ways to get the necessary […]