Money Matters: Understanding How a Mortgage Loan Can Be a Productive Investment

Most people tend to think of a mortgage loan as a necessary evil, an expense that has to be managed. But under the right circumstances, your mortgage can become a smart investment - something that makes you money instead of costing you money. With a little bit of ingenuity and a lot of hard work, you can turn your mortgage into a money-making investment that will pay dividends for years to come. So how do you turn your mortgage loan into a productive investment? Here's what you need to know. A Mortgage Can Help You Buy A New Rental Property One of the simplest ways that a mortgage can become an…
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The Process Of Buying A New Construction Home

Because the housing market is so competitive right now, many buyers are looking at alternative options. Instead of looking for a resale home, some buyers are considering a new home. What is the process of taking out a loan on a new construction home? There are several factors buyers should consider. Pricing On A New Construction Home Many buyers are used to negotiating with sellers to get the best deal possible. On a new construction home, it is still possible to negotiate for a better price. Most homeowners are going to be negotiating for better items in the home than the purchase price. For example, it might be possible for buyers…
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What To Know About Home Loans for Renovation Projects

When people are looking for a home, they are often looking for something that is move-in ready. While this might make the process easier, this can also make the home much more expensive. It is still possible to find a dream home even if the house requires a bit of renovation. This is also a great opportunity for homeowners to customize the home to meet their needs. What do potential homeowners need to know about taking out a mortgage to renovate a fixer-upper when compared to a conventional home loan? Take a look at some helpful information below. When Buying A Fixer-Upper Is The Right Decision There are several situations where buying…
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The Down Payment: Four Great Reasons To Make The Largest Down Payment You Can Afford

If you’re looking for a new home, you’ve probably heard lots of advice about down payments. About how it’s okay to just have a five percent down payment – you’ll still get approved. About how you should make the down payment as small as possible to avoid cash flow problems. In truth, you’re actually better off making the largest down payment you can possibly afford. Even if you have to slice up other areas of your budget, save for a few more years before you buy, or take a second job on the weekends, it’ll be worth it in the end. Here are just four reasons why you should make the…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – August 2, 2021

Last week’s economic reporting included readings on home prices, new and pending home sales, and the post-meeting statement of the Fed’s Federal Open Market Committee. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. S&P Case-Shiller Home Price Indices: Home Price Growth Breaks Records for Second Consecutive Month National home prices grew by 16.60 percent year-over-year in May according to S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index. April’s reading reported year-over-year home price growth of 14.80 percent. Home price growth broke records for the second month in a row in May. S&P Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index reported top home price growth in Phoenix, Arizona, Seattle, Washington, and San Diego,…
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Will Missing Mortgage Payments Impact My FICO Score? Yes – and Here’s How

If you're like most homeowners, you probably believe that one missed mortgage payment won't have a noticeable impact on your FICO score. People get behind now and then, and besides, you've been faithfully making payments on time for years. How bad could it be? In truth, even one missed mortgage payment could seriously damage your FICO score. Lenders can report missed monthly payments whenever they choose - they don't need to wait until a certain date to do it. That means even if your mortgage payment is a few days late, your lender may report it as unpaid. So what exactly happens to a FICO score when you miss a mortgage…
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