I’m sure you’ve heard, but mortgage rates are still rising. It’s causing some would-be buyers to pause their decisions until they determine whether rates are going to come back down. It may be possible, but the probability is that prices are going to continue to increase. According to Freddie Mac, the 30-year fixed-rate on December 23, […]
In 2021, the tax-free gift amount was $15,000. In 2022, that has risen by one thousand dollars, making the limit for tax-free gifts in 2022 a total of $16,000. Tax free means that no tax is due to the donor or the donee. There are provisions that would allow gifts higher than this amount providing […]
What exactly is an ARM? There isn’t any kind of interest rate known as a LEG, at least not as far as I’m aware, but an ARM is an adjustable-rate mortgage. Especially lately, rising interest rates added to increasing home prices are causing the affordability factor of owning a home to be quite the issue […]
If you’re currently a homeowner, you might be feeling quite good that you purchased your home before the market got crazy with higher prices and interest rates. But, there is a possibility that your days of basking in glory are coming to a close. You might be facing higher mortgage payments for next year. Most […]
Looking for an alternative to paying higher, current rates? This could benefit buyers with lower closing costs while saving money on the payment. Your alternative could be existing FHA and VA mortgages – they’re assumable at the note rate to owner-occupied buyers who qualify. For the last 20 years, rates have been steadily coming down […]
We’re not talking about your “arm” – we’re talking about an adjustable-rate-mortgage. See, an adjustable-rate mortgages just simply is not the right choice for many homeowners – especially if they plan to own the home for a long time. As a stat, less than 3% of buyers choose an adjustable-rate mortgage according to NAR’s 2021 […]
Let’s talk about mortgage payments. Some common ways to lower your mortgage payment are to make a larger down payment and to improve your credit score. Improving your credit score is especially important when you’re applying for a mortgage. Here’s another way to lower your payment – buy down the interest rate for the life […]
It might be a good idea to start off 2022 on the right foot – let’s get your mortgage paid down faster! If you have a situation where you have a lump sum of cash which can be used to pay down your existing mortgage, you may have several options. If you prepay the principal […]
These are some changing times, aren’t they? Loan limits for both Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are adjusted annually to keep up with the cost of living – but with the appreciation that’s experienced lately in so many markets, it may not be enough. So, what do you do in that case? Qualified buyers can […]
How much of your credit is available at a given time? When applying for mortgages and loans, a lower credit utilization means that the borrower is not relying heavily on their credit, and also means that they are using their credit wisely. Basically, the higher the percentage, the higher the risk is involved which will […]
