Refinance Now, If You Can

Holy cow are mortgage rates low. Still. And they don’t seem to be going anywhere. So, you're wondering: Should I refinance now? It all depends on whether you’re eligible and just how much you'll save. Are You Eligible to Refinance? To … [Read more...]

Tax Benefits of Home Ownership

Some benefits of home ownership are obvious: there's the investment value, the pride of ownership, the privacy… What you might not have realized is that the tax benefits are one of the greatest benefits to owning a home. In fact, many of the … [Read more...]

Create a New Home Expense Fund

I take home ownership pretty seriously. It’s probably one of the biggest financial move any of us will ever make. Jumping into owning a home before you’re ready is easy to do, but it will most likely just land you in a tight financial situation … [Read more...]

The High Cost(s) of Buying a Home

If you’ve never bought a home before, you may see a $300,000 asking price and think,“I can afford that” (with a mortgage, most likely). But, can you really? Are you aware of the fees and expenses involved in purchasing a home? … [Read more...]

Buying a Condo? What You Need to Know About Homeowners’ Associations

In this tight economy, many would-be home buyers find that a condominium is more affordable than a single-family house; offering amenities, such as a swimming pool or fitness room, which they could not afford on their own. Condo owners may also … [Read more...]

What You Need to Get Approved for a Mortgage

There’s no question, it’s a good time to get a mortgage. Average mortgage rates on 30-year fixed-rate loans are around or under 5%. Some forecasters predict that number will climb to 5.5% by the end of 2010 and by 5.9% in 2011, although a new … [Read more...]

The Secrets to Winning a Bidding War

Putting an offer on a home can be exhilarating, especially if the offer you submit is exactly what the seller has asked for. When you reach this stage, chances are you've already started to fall in love with the home and are picturing yourself … [Read more...]

All About Earnest Money

When you make an offer to buy a house, the seller may ask you to remit money as an earnest deposit. Most purchase contracts stipulate a specific amount of earnest money to be given by the buyer along with the offer. What is an appropriate amount? … [Read more...]

Is a Short Sale Right For You?

Are you or someone you know having trouble paying a mortgage? You’re not alone. Millions of Americans are still grappling with the fallout from the recent recession. And for many, that means falling behind on mortgage payments. If you’re … [Read more...]

Get a Mortgage Pre-Qualification Letter Before House Hunting

Once you’ve made the decision to purchase a home, I recommend you get pre-qualified for a home loan as soon as possible. Pre-qualification is a quick but very important step you should take before making any offers. Why? Pre-qualification … [Read more...]