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Saving for a Home - Home Mortgage Basics
Learn the basics of home
mortgages and saving money
to buy a home.
Information on types of
loans, and how much money
you need to buy a home.
Mortgage Tips for First Time Home Buyers
Buying
your first property can be
exciting, however, it is
likely a new experience and
therefore may be difficult
to know where to start. Educate yourself on what
factors lenders will look at
when evaluating you for a
home loan. Here are some tips to help
you prepare for your first
home.
The Mortgage Maze for First
Time Home Buyers
Obtaining
a suitable mortgage can be a
complex matter, and new home
purchasers need to look at
the available options before
any decisions are made.
Choosing the Right Home Mortgage
Information on choosing the
right home mortgage. A Comparison of Popular Mortgage Products
There is a wide range of mortgage products available today. Here is a comparison of some of the most popular home mortgage loans.
How you can Benefit from a Fixed Rate Mortgage
Fixed rate mortgages have historically been a popular loan type. Here is some information why this may be the right mortgage loan for you.
Adjustable versus Fixed Rate Mortgages
When
buying a home, one of the
biggest decisions you will
make is choosing between an
adjustable versus a fixed
rate mortgage. Here is
some information on both
types of loans. Tapping into your Home's
Equity
If you
must have debt, then home
equity loans or lines of
credit may be a good choice
for you.
The Benefits of using a Mortgage Broker
If you need a mortgage, then using the services of an independent mortgage broker could save you time and money.
What Simple rules to know when it comes to making the bid
Tips for first time home buyers and making a bid on a home.
How to find a Realtor that will Work for You
For buying a home,
you need to shop as
carefully for a realtor as
you do for your new home.
How are Realtors
actually paid?
A
response to the above
article. Information
on how Realtors are really
paid.
Check your Credit History before Deciding to Purchase a Home
Before looking to purchase a home, it is important to first check your credit report and history.
Investment property or residential property?
Should young adults take the step into flipping real estate, becoming a landlord, or just becoming a homeowner? How to find a Home Mortgage Lender you can Trust that will be Honest Find a home mortgage lender you can trust.
Which Real Estate Professional does What
If you are buying or selling a home, then it is to your advantage to be familiar with the team of professionals involved in your real estate transaction.
Home Inspections and Hiring a Home Inspector
A home inspection is an important step before purchasing a home. Finding, choosing, and hiring a home inspector.
Straight Talk about Mortgage Loan Points When shopping for a home mortgage loan, you will need to understand both interest rate and mortgage loan points.
Basics of the Housing Market Learn the basics of the housing market cycle, including buyers and sellers markets.
What does the Monthly Mortgage Payment Include? The monthly mortgage paymentusually includes taxes, interest, and principle.
Home Buying -- Location Matters One of the most important decisions related to buying a home is location.
What's your Credit Score?
Understand your credit score
for applying and qualifying
for a mortgage loan.
Community Living: Is it right for You?
Is a traditional single-family home out of your price range or not your style? Then consider a condominium, townhouse, or cooperative.
Bidding and Making an Offer in a Sellers Market
When buying a home ina sellers market, when there is a low supply of homes, there are some points you should keep in mind.
Appraisals and your Mortgage Loan
When getting a mortgage to buy a home, your lender will require an appraisal. Real Estate Property Easements
Learn what is an easement, and how is may effect your property.
Mortgage Types: A Home Loan Overview
Information on the different types of mortgages including fixed-rate, adjustable rate, hybrid, interest only, and more. FHA loans are usually easier to qualify for and commonly used by people of less than perfect credit and lower income.
Understanding Private
Mortgage Insurance
Learn about PMI, or private
mortgage insurance.
Escrow Agreements and Real Estate Transactions
Escrow is an
important part of your real
estate transactions.
Also, information on title
insurance.
Personal Property: What's included in your Home Purchase?
Before buying a home, make sure you know what items stay, and what goes with the seller.
Home Buyers Remorse
The
experience of buying a home
can be an emotional roller
coaster even under the best
of circumstances.
Title Insurance: Protecting
Your Real Estate Investment
What
about losses from claims
made against your ownership?
Title insurance protects
against these risks.
Real Estate Agent:
Relationships in Real Estate
Get smart
about key terms that
describe real estate
professionals and their
working relationships with
buyers and sellers in a
transaction.
Real Estate Purchase
Contract Contingencies
Contingency clauses allow
you to build in an escape
hatch that allows you to
legally walk away from the
deal if the conditions you
specified are not met.
Deeds: Transferring
Ownership of Real Estate
In a real
estate transaction,
ownership transfers through
a deed.
Determining Real Estate Fair
Market Value
Just what
is fair market value anyway?
How is it determined, and
when is it important?
Is Condo Living for You?
Despite
the allure of
maintenance-free,
amenity-rich living,
condominium ownership is not
necessarily for everyone.
Home Warranties: Paying for Peace of Mind
If you
are a home buyer, here
are a few things to add to
your knowledge base as you
decide whether a warranty is
right for you.
Making an Earnest Money
Deposit
When
making an offer to buy real
estate you generally include
an earnest money deposit.
Access Your Home Equity
If you
own a home, you may be able
to borrow money using your
accumulated equity to secure
the loan.
Understanding Adjustable
Rate Mortgages (ARMs)
An
adjustable rate mortgage, or
ARM for short, is one of two
primary types of mortgage
loans.
Choosing the Best Mortgage
Lender for You
Whether
you are buying a new home or
refinancing your present
one, your selection of a
lender is an important
decision.
Typical Closing Costs
You
should also have funds
available to pay expenses
associated with the purchase
of real estate. These
expenses are known as
closing costs.
Reverse Mortgages
A reverse
mortgage, or home equity
conversion mortgage (HECM),
is a type of loan that
allows a senior citizen to
keep their home, while still
taking equity out of it
without having to pay it
back. Instead
of a home equity loan, older
homeowners may find that a
reverse mortgage is a good
way to get extra cash each
month, or to handle
unexpected expenses.
Mortgage Lender Types
Your bank
may be the first place that
comes to mind when you are
looking for a home loan. But
did you know that there are
other sources for mortgages?
Basics of a Real Estate
Purchase Offer
At last,
you have found your ideal
home, and you want to buy
it. How do you begin the
process? Start with a
purchase offer.
Mortgage Loan Terms Home
Buyers Should Know
As you
proceed through the home
loan process you will
encounter a variety of
terms, many of which may be
unfamiliar and confusing.
Ways to Hold Title to Your
Home
How you
hold title is important
because the various forms of
ownership have different
rights and obligations.
Take Your Final Walk-Through
Before
you close on your new home,
do a final walk-through.
Mortgage vs. Deed of Trust
Overview
of a mortgage and a deed of
trust.
Bi-weekly Mortgage Payments
You can
reap interest savings and
pay off your home loan
faster by making extra
payments.
Working with a Buyers Agent
As a
homebuyer, you have the
option of hiring a real
estate agent to represent
you. Called a buyers agent,
this professional works in
your best interests
throughout the entire
transaction.
Determining Offer Price for
a Home
You know
which house you want to buy
and the sellers asking
price. What you do not know
is how much you should
offer. Use the following
suggestions to get a
jump-start on coming up with
that figure.
Online Real Estate Resources
for Homebuyers
The
Internet has become an
increasingly popular
resource for consumers
looking to buy a home. But
with so much information
available online, where does
a home seeker begin?
Ask About Restrictive
Covenants Before You Buy
When you
own your home, you can use
it however you wish, right?
Maybe not if restrictive
covenants are in place that
say otherwise.
Debt, Income, and Your Home
Loan
Your
debt-to-income ratio is a
key factor that lenders
consider when qualifying you
for a home loan.
Avoiding the Pitfalls of
Mortgage Refinancing
In
difficult financial times,
many families look to the
possibility of refinancing
the mortgage, either to make
payments more bearable, or
to provide some extra cash.
Bad Credit and Home
Financing
A bad
credit rating is a serious
disadvantage for almost
anyone, as it affects a
persons ability to operate
in the world in so many
different ways.
Professional Designations
for Agents
Some of
the more common professional
real estate designations to
help you make more sense of
this seemingly alphabet
soup.
Home Equity Line of Credit
and Second Mortgages
Families
that have significant equity
in their home have a
powerful source of available
funds, usually just for the
asking. They can apply for a
home-equity loan.
First Time Home Buyer Tips
Buying your first home can be an exciting time. It can also be confusing, frustrating, and even intimidating. You most likely have lots of questions, and you may not know where to begin.
Leasing Real Estate
Leasing property can work well for both buyers and sellers. If you are wondering if a leasing arrangement is right for your situation, here is a brief explanation of two leasing techniques to consider as you decide.
Refinancing Your Home Loan
You might have been thinking about refinancing, but you’re not quite sure. As you decide, you may want to keep the following considerations in mind.
RESPA Disclosures
The Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act (RESPA) is a consumer protection law that governs disclosures required at various stages during the home buying process.
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