Adjustable Rate Mortgages (ARMs) With an adjustable rate mortgage, the interest rate and monthly payments varies according to a specific benchmark. The initial interest rate is usually fixed for a period of time after which it is reset periodically. The interest rate paid by the borrower will be based on the benchmark plus an additional spread, called an ARM […]
Category Archives: Home Loans & Mortgages
What is a Good Credit Score and What Do You Need to Buy a Home?
No number is more important to prospective home buyers than their credit score. Simply put, these three digits are a numerical representation of your existing debt, and your track record paying off these debts, everything from credit cards to college loans. If you’ve applied for a mortgage to buy a home, lenders check your credit score. If it’s high, […]
10 Questions to Ask the Lender When Applying for a Mortgage
Preparing to buy a home? We encourage buyers to ask prospective lenders these 10 important questions at or prior to mortgage application. (1) What are your qualifying guidelines? Ask about requirements relating to your income, employment, assets, liabilities and credit history. Qualifications for 1st-time homebuyer programs, Veterans Affairs loans and other government-sponsored mortgages are typically less stringent. […]
Sources For Your Down Payment
Finding down payment cash is often the biggest challenge to buying a home. Rest assured we have lots of ideas to help you overcome this hurdle. PMI While PMI or Private Mortgage Insurance has pretty much made the traditional 20% down payment a thing of the past, buyers who are able to put more money […]
Correcting Errors & Removing Negatives From Your Credit Reports
So you’ve just discovered errors in one or more of your credit reports, or even worse, accurate references to late payments or other debt-related issues! Don’t panic, the errors can be fixed, and it’s possible that even some of the negative items can be eliminated! An individual’s credit score is one of the most influential […]
10 Things You Should NOT Do While Buying a Home
The ECO-Link Loan for Energy-Efficient Upgrades & Other Home Improvements
ECO-Link is a loan program offering reduced interest rates on qualifying loans to homeowners completing energy-efficient upgrades or installing renewable energy products such as new windows, furnace, refrigerator, solar panels, etc. Eligible homeowners receive up to a 3% interest reduction on ECO-Link loans for up to 7 years. The homeowner must use at least 50% […]
Steps to Getting the Best Mortgage Interest Rate
Buying a home is a huge investment—probably the most significant purchase of your life. It’s not something you should do without preparation. Before you start on the road to homeownership, make sure you’re ready. The first step is to determine if you qualify for a mortgage, a lender can help you with this however, to […]
Using a FHA Mortgage to Buy a Home
In recent years FHA loans have taken on renewed importance for today’s mortgage borrowers. Simply stated, an FHA loan is a mortgage insured by the Federal Housing Administration, a government agency within the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Borrowers with FHA loans pay for mortgage insurance, which protects the lender from a loss if […]
Where are Home Values Headed as Interest Rates Rise
After years of speculation about mortgage interest rates, the Federal Reserve has begun increasing the Fed Funds Rate. The Fed Funds rate sets the cost of borrowing for the banks, and consequently the cost of mortgages for homebuyers. With additional moves at hand, there is concern that more expensive mortgage rates could hamper the housing […]