The FHA streamline refinance is not right for everyone, but if rates significantly dropped or you can afford a fixed-rate loan and want out of an ARM, it can make sense. If you’ll stay in the home for the foreseeable future, you can either save money on interest or have a more predictable payment. Before you jump on board, ask yourself: Am I saving enough money to make the cost of refinancing worth it? Would I feel more at ease with a fixed-rate loan versus an ARM? When Doesn’t an FHA Streamline Refinance Make Sense? Like we said, sometimes it doesn’t make sense to refinance. First, make sure you can afford the closing costs. Unlike most other loan programs, you cannot … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 25, 2021
Last week’s economic reporting included the National Association of Home Builders’ Housing Market Index reports on building permits issued and housing starts, The National Association of Realtors® reported on sales of previously owned homes, and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. NAHB: Builder Confidence Improves in September The National Association of Home Builders reported an index reading of 80 for its September Housing Market Index. Analysts expected September’s index reading to match August’s reading of 76. Builders continued to face supply chain challenges and labor shortages amid growing concerns over rising home … [Read more...]
Applying for a Mortgage? 3 Easy Ways to Make the Process Easier — and Reduce Your Stress
There are more than enough details involved in getting a mortgage and moving into your own home that you'll want to know how to make the process as seamless as possible beforehand. However, there's a chance you might not be aware of the things you can do to make it a little easier on yourself. If you're currently looking for a home and are wondering how to streamline the approval process, here are some things to do before applying to minimize mortgage-related stress. Get Electronic Documentation In order to get approved for your mortgage application, you'll need to provide documentation that will likely include bank statements, federal tax returns and recent paystubs, but providing or … [Read more...]
Deciding On A Mortgage For Buying A Fixer Upper
It can be difficult to find a dream house, so many potential homeowners might be looking to save money by purchasing a home that they need to repair. Often referred to as a fixer-upper, this is a house that may require some extra work to restore to a livable condition. Not only is this a great opportunity to customize a home, but it could also be a valuable investment. At the same time, homeowners need to take out enough money to not only purchase the house but also cover the cost of repairs. How can potential homeowners decide what loan is best for a fixer-upper? There are a few options available. Consider Taking Out An FHA 203(k) Mortgage One option is something called an FHA 203(k) … [Read more...]
A 20 Percent Down Payment: Is This Really Necessary?
Purchasing a home is a major decision, and it could be the most expensive financial transaction somebody ever makes. Therefore, it is important to get this right. One of the biggest hurdles for a new homeowner is coming up with enough money for the down payment. A lot of people believe they require 20 percent down to purchase a home. Saving this amount of money can be overwhelming, and some people are wondering, is this really necessary? There are several key points to keep in mind. Putting 20 Percent Down Is Not Really Necessary When taking a look at the prices of homes, putting 20 percent down can seem like a pipe dream for most people. Fortunately, putting this amount of money down … [Read more...]
What is an FHA Streamline Refinance?
FHA borrowers have an exceptional program available to them called the FHA streamline refinance. It’s a simple way to get a lower mortgage payment and/or lower rate, but it’s not for everyone. Read this guide to learn all about FHA streamline refinance and how it works. What is an FHA Streamline Refinance? The FHA streamline refinance allows FHA borrowers to skip most underwriting tasks including income and credit verification. It’s a simplified way to get a lower rate or change your loan’s term to get a more predictable payment. Who is Eligible? To be eligible for the FHA streamline refinance, you must be a current FHA borrower with a current loan. To qualify, you … [Read more...]
What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – October 18, 2021
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on inflation, core inflation, and minutes of the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee meeting held on September 22 and 23. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also published. September’s Consumer Price Index rose by 0.10 percent to 0.40 percent. The Core Consumer Price Index for September, which excludes volatile food and fuel sectors, rose by 0.10 percent to 0.20 percent and fell short of the expected reading of 0.30 percent growth. Feds’ FOMC Meeting Minutes: Policymakers Consider Tapering Securities Purchases Minutes of the Federal Open Market Committee meeting held September 21 and 22 … [Read more...]
Keep Your Home Free From Clutter With These Helpful Unpacking Tips
The thrill of purchasing a new home is unparalleled; however, once you close on the sale, the dreaded unpacking process begins. You probably did not realize just how much stuff you had until you had to pack it all up. Worse yet, you need to unpack it when you get to your new home. If you don’t unpack intelligently, your new home could end up disorganized and full of clutter. With this in mind, how can you unpack without leading to a tremendous amount of clutter in your home? Get Rid Of Items You Do Not Need As you go through the boxes, ask yourself if you are actually going to need the items as you unpack them. If you do not need them, consider donating them to a local charity. Just … [Read more...]
After Closing On A New Home: The Top Tasks To Complete
Closing on a new home is exciting and many people view their closing date as the finish line; however, even after closing a new home, there is still a lot that has to happen. What do new homeowners need to do after closing on a new home? Mark The Date Of The First Payment Every homeowner needs to know the first date of the new mortgage payment. They need to get their bank account set up for an automatic draft, or they need to send a physical check by that time. Keep in mind that the first payment might include a partial payment from the prior month as well. Understand That The Loan Servicer Might Change Anyone who is sending a physical check needs to be aware that the loan servicer might … [Read more...]
Looking for an Eco-friendly Upgrade? Try These Easy Ways to Save Water Around the Home
With the impact we have on our environment becoming a matter of greater concern, it's becoming more important for the average citizen to know they're doing their part. While there are many simple tricks for saving water that will make you feel better about your environmental footprint, here are a few easy upgrades that will make that saving a little more automatic. Consider a Cistern Device With outhouses a thing of the past, flushing the toilet has become one of the ways in which household water is being overused the most, but flushing less simply isn't a viable option. Instead of wasting water in this way, purchase a displacement device and place it in your toilet's cistern. Without you … [Read more...]
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