Are you in the market for a new home? If you are considering a mortgage, you may be curious about mortgage insurance, commonly referred to as PMI or MI. Let's explore the topic of mortgage insurance, including how it works to reduce risk and how it benefits you as the mortgage borrower. Mortgage Insurance = Risk Reduction You might not know this, but the toughest part of the home buying process for many individuals and families is coming up with the required down payment. For example, if you were to buy a $200,000 home, you may want to invest $40,000 or $60,000 or more in the down payment. The … [Read more...]
Current Servicemember or Veteran? 4 Reasons Why a VA Home Loan Is an Excellent Choice
Are you current or former member of the US military service who is looking to buy a new home? If so, you will be pleased to know that there are some special mortgage programs that are open to you. Let's take a look at five reasons why a mortgage backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs is an excellent choice when buying your new home. You Can Borrow Up To 100% Of The Home's Value You read that correctly! VA-backed mortgages are available to you even if you choose to put no money towards your down payment. This can be a huge benefit for those individuals and families who are looking to … [Read more...]
The 4-Step Financial Checkup to Get Ready for a Mortgage This Year
Are you ready to join the ranks of homeowners in our local community? Congratulations – homeownership is a big step towards building your net worth and financial freedom. However, it is also a significant transaction that will affect your finances for the foreseeable future. Let's take a look at a quick four-step checklist that will help you to get ready to buy a home with a mortgage this year. Step 1: Set Up A Monthly Budget It might sound a little basic, but the best first step is to commit to a monthly budget. After you buy a home using a mortgage, you will be responsible for making … [Read more...]
Renovating in 2018? Cash-out Mortgage Refinancing Might Be the Best Way to Fund It
If you are a homeowner thinking about a significant home renovation in 2018, you have probably already considered your budget. As with any large project, you need to have the ability to pay the expected costs plus have a little bit extra set aside, just in case. The great news is that if you are a homeowner with a mortgage, you may qualify for cash-out refinancing, which can be a helpful way to leverage some of your home equity to cover renovation costs. In today's blog post we'll explore the topic of cash-out refinancing and how this unique financial product can help to solve your budget … [Read more...]
3 Reasons Why Buying an Investment Property Is the Best Way to Build Your Net Worth
Whether you have recently graduated from college or are getting close to retirement, it's likely that you have given some thought as to how you can grow your net worth. You might have invested in stocks, picked up a few bonds or have a 401(k) plan set up to help fund your retirement. But have you considered buying real estate as part of your portfolio? In today's blog post we'll have a look at three reasons why real estate investing is one of the most effective ways to grow your overall net worth. Reason #1: It Generates Passive Income One of the best reasons to hold real estate as part of … [Read more...]