Author Archives for Carlie Ortiz
January 19, 2021 9:00 am
Published by Carlie Ortiz
Sometimes the most difficult part of buying a home is simply knowing where to start. That’s why it’s crucial to have a team of professionals guiding you every step of the way. Your real estate agent and mortgage lender should be educated, informed, and willing to find the ideal long-term solution that meets your wants and needs.... Read More
December 22, 2020 2:24 pm
Published by Carlie Ortiz
Life has been a little unpredictable over the past year, to say the least. However, one positive thing that came out of 2020 was the state of the housing market. Despite the ongoing pandemic and the need to move everything completely online, historically low mortgage rates have enabled buyers to do more with their money... Read More
December 17, 2020 9:06 am
Published by Carlie Ortiz
The stockings are hung by the fire with care, the presents are perfectly wrapped under the tree, and all of our friends and family will soon be… meeting us for virtual celebrations! This year has been challenging in many ways, but one positive to come from being physically distanced is the opportunity to still virtually... Read More
December 10, 2020 4:51 pm
Published by Carlie Ortiz
Did you know that the home buying process starts long before you even start house shopping? Once you decide to become a homeowner, it’s crucial to get your financial profile in order. For some, this may look like working to improve credit or pay off debt. For others, saving for a down payment and the... Read More
November 24, 2020 4:23 pm
Published by Carlie Ortiz
The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) announced on Tuesday, November 24th, that the 2021 maximum conforming loan limit (CLL) for one-unit properties will be $548,250 for most of the U.S.— a significant increase from the 2020 maximum CLL of $510,400. The maximum CLL will be higher for areas in which 115 percent of the local... Read More
November 20, 2020 1:32 pm
Published by Carlie Ortiz
When the world came to a screeching halt back in March, we thought it was safe to assume that quarantining would quickly become something of the past. Today, nearly eight months since most U.S. cities began lockdowns, Americans are canceling their holiday plans and hunkering down for a long winter. As Covid-19 remains a lingering... Read More
November 13, 2020 2:32 pm
Published by Carlie Ortiz
The holiday season is just around the corner, and with it comes family dinners, stockings hung by the fire, and Christmas tunes from dawn to dusk. The holiday season also brings significantly higher risks for home fires, especially in the kitchen and living room. The good news is, there are easy ways that you can... Read More
November 5, 2020 1:21 pm
Published by Carlie Ortiz
Did you know there are loans specifically for Veterans and active military members? VA mortgage loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and were created to make housing affordable for eligible U.S. veterans and military members. This type of loan is available to veterans, reservists, active-duty personnel, and surviving spouses of veterans... Read More
October 30, 2020 3:07 pm
Published by Carlie Ortiz
You can DIY a new bookshelf, a shed for your backyard, or even your kids’ Halloween costumes. But should you try to DIY your homebuying experience? According to the National Association of Realtors (NAR), only 11 percent of homebuyers chose to purchase a home without a real estate agent in 2019, and that low percentage... Read More
October 26, 2020 12:51 pm
Published by Carlie Ortiz
You’ve heard it said time and time again that a responsible homebuyer puts down 20%, no exceptions. Surely, with enough time and determination, anyone can save that amount of money, right? Well, it depends. For some homebuyers, 20% is a comfortable lump sum to put down on a home. For others, it could take years... Read More