At the beginning of the mortgage application process, you may hear the term “conditional approval” and wonder what this means. What does it mean to be conditionally approved for a mortgage, and what should your next steps be? Find out with this simple guide. What Does Conditional Loan Approval Mean? A conditional loan approval is... Read More
Are you facing hardship and worried about making monthly mortgage payments? Fortunately, homeowners have options to get some assistance in hard times. For example, during the financial crisis that began in 2020 as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, the US government introduced a series of measures to bolster forbearance and deferment options. In times... Read More
Want to become a homeowner and build a long-term investment strategy at the same time? Purchasing a multi-unit property is a great way to accomplish that. If you plan to use a Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loan to purchase a property with three or more units, you will need to pass the FHA Self-Sufficiency Test... Read More
In many places across the USA, buyers are finding that they aren’t the only ones eager to get the keys to their dream home. Most buyers know that there are several ways that the homebuying journey can become more complicated in a competitive market. Let’s explore the appraisal gap, one of the things that can... Read More
Tax refund season is upon us! The average tax refund in America is $2,741. That’s a lot of money you can use for your benefit. You may be tempted to use your tax refund to buy yourself something special or go on vacation. However, one of the best ways to accelerate your savings and improve... Read More
If you own a home, you’re no stranger to paying property taxes. Sometimes, you might even wonder where that money goes after you pay it. Tax time might not be your favorite time of year, but it’s helpful to remember that the taxes you pay today determine which public services you enjoy tomorrow. Property taxes... Read More
There are countless advantages to owning a home, including the chance to build equity. Home equity is the current market value of your home, minus what you still owe. For example, if your home costs $300,000 and you’ve steadily paid off your mortgage to the point that your mortgage principal balance is now $250,000, that... Read More
Updated February 8, 2021 Homeownership has a lot of benefits, including the potential to lower your tax bill. The tax code allows you to take advantage of deductions and credits that specifically benefit homeowners. You can work with a CPA or other qualified, licensed advisor to ensure these deductions and credits are properly applied and... Read More
When it comes time to apply for a home loan, your Mortgage Advisor will cover the basics with you. This will typically include your interest rate, which loan solutions you qualify for, etc. However, there are a few important questions you can ask your lender to let them know what you need further clarification on.... Read More
Welcome to 2021! In honor of the upcoming National Cut Energy Cost Day on January 10, 2021, we wanted to share a few best practices with you. Winter is an excellent time to review your home and make sure that you are energy conscious. Did you know something as simple as swapping out incandescent bulbs... Read More