Homeownership And The American Dream: Is It Changing?

July 27, 2021

There are a few parts of American culture that people believe define this country. One element is the dream of homeownership. There is a strong belief that people need a place to call home. Therefore, since the dawn of this country, the government has tried to incentivize people to purchase a home. At the same time, there are some people who are looking at the younger generation, wondering if this American Dream is starting to change. Is homeownership still a part of the American Dream?

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 26, 2021

July 26, 2021

Last week’s economic reporting included readings from the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index, data on sales of new and previously-owned homes, and weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims.

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Taking A Closer Look At Affordability: Renting And Buying

July 23, 2021

There are many people who are looking at the housing market wondering if now is the time to make the jump from renting to owning. At the same time, is it more affordable to rent a home? Or, is it a smarter move to buy a home? Even though many people like the comfort of renting because it is someone else’s problem if something goes wrong, waiting too long to purchase a home could be costly. What are a few of the most important points people need to keep in mind when it comes to renting versus buying a home?

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How to Plan for a Smooth Move-in

July 22, 2021

With all of the rigmarole that goes into packing up your old home and moving into the new one, there are a lot of details that can get lost in the mix. From cleaning up the old house to handing over the keys, there’s no shortage of small tasks that need to be completed. If you’ll soon be prepping for the exciting move into your next home, here are some ways to prepare yourself for this busy time.

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Why An Emergency Fund Is Important

July 21, 2021

There’s almost a guarantee that at some point in the future you’re going to face an emergency. Like most things in life, that emergency is going to require money to solve. You can’t assume that you’ll have the funds to face the emergency when it happens. You can’t even assume that you’ll have enough on your credit cards to pay for it. The only safe way to plan is to have an emergency fund.

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The Pros and Cons of Mortgage Rate Locks

July 20, 2021

If you’re just jumping into the game of home purchasing, you are likely considering all of your loan options and may even have heard the term mortgage lock. For those who don’t like to gamble, a mortgage rate lock can offer a bit of reassurance, but there are also some downsides to this type of protection. Before signing off on this, here are the details on rate locks so you can make an informed decision.

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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 19, 2021

July 19, 2021

Last week’s scheduled economic reports included readings on inflation, Fed Chair Jerome Powell’s testimony before the House Financial Services Committee, and the University of Michigan’s Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

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Five Required Mortgage Closing Costs – And A Few Tips On How To Minimize Them

July 16, 2021

Mortgages are expensive, and closing costs only add to the financial burden that homebuyers face. But with a little knowledge, you can pinpoint places to save on your mortgage closing costs and keep more money in your pocket. When you’re negotiating your next mortgage, use these tips to reduce required closing costs and keep more of your hard-earned money.

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Boost Your Home’s Curb Appeal and Get a Quick Sale with These 3 Tips

July 15, 2021

Curb appeal is important in the home sales process, and this is because it will impact the overall first impression that potential home buyers have about the property. Some homeowners can easily spend a small fortune and a considerable amount of time improving curb appeal, but others may be looking for faster and easier results. The good news is that boosting curb appeal is easy and affordable to do when these three tips are followed.

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Down Payment Assistance Programs May Make Homeownership More Affordable

July 14, 2021

There are many people who are currently looking to purchase a home while interest rates are relatively low; however, there are many homeowners who feel like they do not have a strong level of financial understanding when it comes to the process of purchasing a home.

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