Category: Mortgages

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Private money vs. hard money loan requirements, interest, fees & more

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What’s the difference between hard money and private money loans? What can you expect from private money and hard money loan requirements? Real estate investors sometimes …

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2023 mortgage statistics in a challenging housing market

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Demand was incredibly strong through 2020 and 2021 as record-low mortgage rates and high personal savings helped create a homebuying frenzy. But times have changed quickly. …

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Majority of Americans who don’t own their own home have this common fear

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Owning a home has long been considered the quintessential American dream, but the path to those white picket fences is far from smooth. Although 84% of …

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How much are home equity loan closing costs?

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Tapping your home equity to remodel your kitchen or consolidate your credit card debt can be a great option — but don’t forget about closing costs. …

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Balloon mortgages: What they are & how they work

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A balloon mortgage allows you to enjoy low monthly payments for several years — with a big catch. Your final payment amount “balloons” sharply, potentially leaving …

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Texas Gov. Abbott announces $87.7M in housing tax credits

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday that the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs (TDHCA) had awarded almost $90 million in tax credits. These …

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Less for more: new-home sizes have decreased nationwide, while prices per square foot have jumped 95%

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Though they’ve come down somewhat from their pandemic highs, home prices are still steep, especially compared to 10 years earlier. While some of the extra money …

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Using a mortgage broker vs. comparing lenders yourself

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With so many mortgage products on the market, it can be difficult to find the mortgage that’s just right for you. This is especially true if …

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8 creative ways to buy property when mortgage rates are high

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  High interest rates and a nationwide housing shortage make for a tough combination for homebuyers and investors alike.   So, what creative financing options do you have …

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Mortgage rates dip even as refinancing demands spike

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  Sales Keep Sliding In November, existing home sales fell for the 10th straight month. This added to an already record-long streak, with higher mortgage rates …

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Considering a reverse mortgage? Read this first

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A reverse mortgage allows homeowners age 62 or older to tap equity without making a mortgage payment on the amount they borrow. However, the most popular …

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This data on mortgage rates & home prices will make your head spin

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  Mortgage interest rates are the percentage of your loan amount that you will pay in interest each year. In the U.S., mortgage rates are steadily …

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Refinance boom dies down as mortgage rates soar

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  For large parts of the past two years, mortgage refinancing has been booming, as historically low mortgage rates and surging home prices created an opportunity …

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The most equity-rich homeowners in America live here

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  Nearly half of U.S. mortgage payers own at least 50 percent equity, according to ATTOM’s Q2 2022 Home Equity & Underwater Report. This means that the balance of …

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Inflation could mean your house is underinsured. Here’s why

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  With home construction costs continuing to soar due to issues with the supply chain, labor shortages, and worsening natural disasters, many homeowners could be left underinsured. …

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Why homeowners in this state are facing an insurance crisis

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  Florida has generated reams of feverish headlines lately for controversies about the teaching of sex and gender issues in public schools, and whether the Disney …

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Why you shouldn’t try to pay off your mortgage too quickly

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  You’ve seen them. Over and over and over again, so-called personal finance gurus railing against debt. But as I pointed out before, they’re dead wrong (in …

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4 genius ways to cut your mortgage costs, even as inflation soars

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  As mortgage interest rates edge toward 5% and higher,  expect to see fewer refinances compared with the last two years. “Mortgage refinances surged in the last two …

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Can you really pay off a mortgage in just 5 years?

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  Paying off your mortgage ahead of time might sound like an incredibly savvy thing to do, and in some cases, it is. But it’s not …

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Why aren’t more homebuyers comparing mortgage rates

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  Can you be sure you snagged the lowest mortgage rate possible if you didn’t compare offers from different lenders? For many American homeowners surveyed by …

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Mortgage rates are at a 13-year high. Here’s why

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  Mortgage rates in the United States continued their steep climb last week, adding to the woes of would-be home buyers that are already facing historically high …

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Are we in another housing market bubble? Will it burst again?

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  The housing market is out of control in many areas of the country, with record-high home prices and record-low inventories. Prices had been steadily increasing since 2012, …

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States where mortgage rates are rising most

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Since the start of the year, mortgage rates have risen dramatically. The record-low rates of 2021 are gone, with rates above 5% becoming standard. While a lower rate …

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Is paying mortgage points ever a good idea?

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If you’re shopping for a home mortgage, you’ve probably seen the term “mortgage points.” Before you take the next step to sign a mortgage preapproval or …

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Should you take a loan for mortgage closing costs?

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Borrowers with good credit may get a personal loan for mortgage closing costs. Bringing personal loan money to the closing table can help you finalize your …

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Don’t pay off your mortgage early. Here’s why

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Paying off your mortgage has been a monumental goal for decades now. But is it the right thing to do in the 21st century? Read on …

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7 big mortgage mistakes (and how to avoid them)

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Although mortgage interest rates have recently pulled back some, they’re still historically low. When rates were lower yet, I decided to refinance the mortgage on our home. …

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9 mortgage scams you need to know about

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What is mortgage fraud? Mortgage fraud refers to lying or omitting information to fund or insure a mortgage loan. It results in billions of dollars in …

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Thinking about getting a reverse mortgage? Read this first

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If you’re at or nearing retirement age and looking for a way to generate cash flow, a reverse mortgage can seem like a great idea, especially …

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18 questions you need to ask before closing a mortgage

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Hiring a knowledgeable mortgage lender is one of the first steps you’ll take on your journey to homeownership. A good lender could help you make a …