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 […]

Both the inside and outside of your home could use a good once-over to make it look its best and keep it well-maintained. *Remember, we maintain our homes to keep building value & ultimately EQUITY! And that’s why “spring cleaning” and other seasonal prep work should be at the top of your to-do list for […]

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 […]

Follow this series to learn how to get the best mortgage for your specific financial situation and goals. You’ll see what steps you need to take throughout this process to make it productive and successful. This week you’ll learn all about Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) and ways you can avoid this extra cost to your […]

Selling your home in the spring is usually best for most homeowners.  The time of year isn’t just blooming with flowers but also buyers! Starting in March and going through June, the real estate market is in full force throughout the Austin area. Just about anyone who is looking for a home is hitting open […]

Follow this series to learn how to get the best mortgage for your specific financial situation and goals. You’ll see what steps you need to take throughout this process to make it productive and successful. This week you’ll learn about a loan that can help you buy a home and renovate it as well. It’s […]

Who hasn’t checked out online real estate sites for price estimates of their own home, a neighbor’s home, or even a beach house when on vacation?  Most of us are guilty as charged! It’s easy to see why these sites and apps are tempting to use since buyers and sellers can get marketing information directly […]

Homeowners usually feel pretty great when their home value goes up—it’s a win for your investment! But when that higher value shows up on your property tax assessment, it also means one thing…a bigger tax bill. And if you just bought your home within the last year, and your new assessed value is way higher […]

As a homeowner, you just never know when you’ll face unexpected and costly repairs for your home.  Once way to mitigate the anxiety of being a homeowner and having to be responsible for things that break before they should is to get a home warranty.  Home warranties have gotten a bad rap in the past, […]