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Whether trying to manage a schedule for one or for a family of six, there are so many things that demand our time and attention. Your desire to be successful in your career, be a great partner and spouse and actively involved parent are all admirable goals and aspirations, but with so many demands, we can become overwhelmed and find ourselves in auto pilot. Creating a healthy and happy work-life balance by establishing a routine is vital to preventing burnout and compromising relationships with friends and family. Time management, as restrictive as it sounds, gives back more time to spend doing what we love with the ones we love!
It’s not feasible for most people to snap their fingers and – poof! – a 20 percent down payment appears. For some, saving for a down payment can be a long-term process. While there are many down payment assistance programs and loan options that can make the down payment a little easier to swallow, there are also a few habits you can implement to quickly save for a down payment.
The monthly payment and duration of your loan can vary widely. These terms are influenced by a few factors, including the type of loan you choose, interest rates and the size of your down payment. You may not be able to control interest rates, but you definitely play a role in your financial future by choosing which loan works best for your situation – and much of that starts with the down payment.
Refinancing a mortgage can be advantageous to many homeowners – but what does that really mean? It’s important to know what is a refinance, and what options exist for you. Let us walk you through some of the reasons you may consider refinancing today.
Budgets are like diets…they’re difficult to stick to! Much like diets, however, putting in the hard work and short-term sacrifices can yield amazing results. Every penny counts when you’re working toward a home purchase – and that doesn’t stop once your budget is created.
It’s fun finding reasons to throw a party and celebrate! Whether that be casual or formal, two guests or twenty, a seated dinner or a variety of appetizers and beverages, incorporating a theme makes it fun. The Oscars are just around the corner and this is a perfect reason to throw a party and offer a fun theme as well! Here are some ideas on how to throw a party to remember:
Have you been thinking about purchasing a home sometime this year? As you prepare for that exciting journey, you’ll want to check your credit score. Your credit score, often referred to as your FICO® score, is calculated using your credit history on file with the credit reporting agencies. No matter what your score is, you can work on boosting it by following a few simple tips.
Buying a home can be exciting. You know you want to buy a house, but where should you begin? The ideal place to begin the home buying process is with getting a pre-approval for a home loan.
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced an increase in the baseline conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac loans in 2020. For most of the U.S. the limits have been increased to $510,400, up from the 2019 limit of $484,350 for one-unit properties.
For some higher cost areas, the limit has been increased further, to a maximum of $765,600. This varies by county, and a full list of counties with corresponding limits can be accessed on the FHFA website here.
Special statutory provisions establish different loan limit calculations for Alaska, Hawaii, Guam, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. In these areas, the baseline loan limit will be $765,600 for one-unit properties.
This time of year, many of us gather for a holiday meal with family and friends… sometimes on several occasions. It’s a time of showing gratitude, but sometimes it’s difficult to find ways to show gratitude as a family, especially if you have little ones. Here are some ideas of things you can do during the holidays – or even year-round.
Getting ready to buy a home is the beginning of an exciting journey! Once you’ve found your dream home and you’re ready to buy, how do you decide what type of mortgage loan fits your needs? Should it be a fixed rate loan, adjustable loan, FHA loan, or something else?
Veterans Day is November 11, and while it’s a day off for many Americans, sometimes it’s a struggle to remember not only WHAT Veterans Day is, and how best to celebrate it.
Many young, single, career-focused, and financially savvy adults are realizing that buying a home is the right decision for their personal and financial goals. In fact, more than 90% of Americans believe homeownership is the first step on the road to wealth. And the U.S. government agrees. The Department of Housing and Urban Development promotes homeownership to people from all economic backgrounds, because homeownership is an important means of wealth accumulation.
Halloween is a holiday that is loved by so many, and of all ages. Trick or treating is, of course, the highlight for many kids… what kid doesn’t love throwing on a costume, walking with their friends around the neighborhood while collecting loads of all your favorite candy? I loved taking my candy home, dumping it out to organize and categorize, in alphabetical order (doesn’t every kid do that?), and then trading with siblings and friends. Here are a few safety tips for kids, pets and adults to ensure the night is everything they have imagined and more!
One of the most important factors which determines your home loan qualifications and rate is your credit score. If you are at the beginning of the home buying process, it’s important to understand how your credit score can impact your ability to get a mortgage loan, as well as the interest rates you may be offered. Understanding your credit is one of the first steps you will take to becoming a home buyer, so let’s get started.
Buying a home is undoubtedly one of the most difficult decisions you’ll make. After debating the pros and cons of homeownership -- and there are many -- you’ll have a whole new set of questions that will keep you up at night. Yes, you’ll have tons of question to ask of your real estate professional. If you’re lucky, you’ll find a knowledgeable, credible agent with lots of experience who may even answer those late-night questions before you tap snooze the next morning. Hiring a realtor that fits your expectations is imperative to the home-buying process. So, where do you start?
Whether you are considering to rent or buy a home, you may want the convenience of technology to help you through the process.
We’ve got a list of the some of the top apps that can enhance your real estate search.
It’s not uncommon to think that selling a home is easy to do – especially with all the information readily available on the Internet about what to do and how to do just about anything these days. But having a real estate agent goes much deeper than saving a commission, and often can cost a seller thousands of dollars. Before you unknowingly jump into the process of selling your home, learn more about the disadvantages of for sale by owner so you're well informed about the process and can make the best decision.
