Is Buying a Home a Smart Move Right Now?

For a lot of people, this has been the year of transition. Work from home, back to the office, zoom school, back to campus, hybrid everything, and each month there’s a new set of rules. The big question I’ve heard a lot—is buying a home still a smart move? Is now a bad time to […]

Can I Refinance My Mortgage Without An Appraisal?

When you’re getting ready to refinance your mortgage, one factor that impacts the terms of your new loan is the appraisal. A current home appraisal creates the basis of your home’s value in today’s housing market. But not every mortgage refinance requires a home appraisal. This can relieve a lot of stress for homeowners who […]

Why USDA Loans Are Rising in Popularity in 2021

Many homeowners have been talking about relocating, and it’s not a surprise after this past year. Some people want to cash out and head to the coastline, while others want to move where the cost of living is lower. Lately, I get asked whether or not the USDA loan would be a good fit for […]

How to Cancel PMI and Lower Your Monthly Mortgage Payment

Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is typically required for homeowners who put less than 20% down toward their home loan. In general, private mortgage insurance (PMI) is 0.5 – 1.5% of the total loan amount and is tacked onto the monthly mortgage payment. It can easily add a few hundred dollars to your mortgage payment every […]

5 Smart Tips for a Great HELOC Rate

A Home Equity Line of Credit or HELOC is a great option when you want to borrow money against your home without refinancing. Unlike a home equity loan, a home equity line of credit (HELOC) is an open line of credit that uses your home as collateral.  You draw from the account at your convenience […]

Today’s Housing Market: How to Win the Bidding War

  Today’s housing market is changing rapidly and housing inventory is dropping. A lot of homeowners are taking advantage of low interest rates to refinance their mortgage or start renovations. Some homeowners are selling to move to less expensive areas, and they know the housing market is already shifting in their favor. So if you’re […]

How to Finance Your Next Home Renovation

This past year many homeowners spent a lot more time at home. If you’ve been thinking about remodeling your kitchen, building out a home office, or doing a home renovation to update needed repairs, you’re not alone. The good news is there are great renovation home loan programs that can help you finance your next […]

15-Year Mortgage Rates at Record Lows

This past week the average mortgage rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages dropped below 2.4 percent, just hovering above it’s all-time record low. If you’ve been thinking about refinancing for a lower mortgage payment, paying off your loan faster or saving thousands in mortgage interest, this quick article could help you decide. How to Know if […]

How to Get Pre-Approved for Your Home Loan Fast

If you’re thinking about buying your next home then you’ve probably heard about getting pre-qualified or pre-approved for your home loan. Whether this is your first home or you haven’t purchased a new home for a while, the home-buying process can still feel overwhelming. Let’s face it, going to open houses is a lot more […]

5 Simple Homebuyer Tips Before You Make an Offer

Most houses are staged with the homebuyer in mind.  Everything looks beautiful from the walk up to the backroom closets and fresh flowers in the kitchen.  It’s easy to get swept away with a first impression so it’s important to pull back the shades and take a deep look inside and out.  A good home inspection […]