Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is often thought of as a “necessary evil.” It protects the lender and helps you purchase your home, but, it’s an added monthly expense that you will likely be anxious to get rid of as soon as possible. So, how do you eliminate monthly mortgage insurance? Below are some options to consider.
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From location, to budgeting, to the right floor plan, there is a lot to consider when searching for the perfect home. In addition to choosing the home features that matter most, you are also faced with decisions about home financing.
Read More “FHA vs Conventional – Choosing Which Loan Is Best for You”
As a first step in preparing for a home purchase, it’s important to determine if you are actually ready to become a homeowner. Are you able to stay put for a while? Is your income fairly stable? If you answered yes to both questions, the next step is to carefully consider your finances. Resolve to do the following in the New Year and you could be ready to purchase a home sooner than you think – maybe even ahead of any anticipated rate increases.
Read More “Setting Goals to Achieve Homeownership”
A recent survey by the National Association of Realtors (NAR) revealed that homeownership rates are higher among veterans and active military than those who have never served, especially within younger age groups. So, why are military personnel outpacing their non-military peers when it comes to owning a home? There are many possible explanations, but the impact of VA Loan benefits is certainly a factor. Of those surveyed by NAR, 54 percent of veterans and 74 percent of active military said they used VA Loans to finance their home purchase.
Read More “Qualifying for a VA Loan May Be Easier Than You Think”
First-time homeowners are often younger than the average homebuyer, which means lower income levels, less money saved and, typically, more student loan debt. Concerns about student loans often discourage would-be first-time buyers from pursuing their goal of homeownership. If you’re considering purchasing your first home, these tips can help get you there.
Read More “How to Save For a Home While Managing Student Loan Debt”
Qualifying for a mortgage can be more complex for someone who does not have pay stubs and a W2 form to verify consistent income. If you’re an entrepreneur with your own business and fall into this category, don’t worry—there are loans for you. You just need to know how to navigate. I asked RPM’s EVP, Julian Hebron, to explain how specialized loan products serve the specific needs of self-employed home buyers.
Read More “What The Self-Employed Need to Know About Home Loans”
The concept of home is special to each of us in our own way, so shopping for a home can be emotional. Once you connect with a home that’s just right for you, emotions can run hot because that’s when you need to get the seller to accept your offer.
Read More “Can Your Home Purchase Financing Beat A Cash Offer?”
Fannie Mae recently announced changes to conforming loan guidelines and all of the updates are potentially very good news for borrowers. In fact, a recent Forbes article stated that “mortgage financing will become more available to more home buyers as a couple of game changing underwriting guideline enhancements come online.” It’s important to understand what has changed and what it means in terms of qualifying for a mortgage. Here are some highlights:
Read More “Fannie Mae Loan Updates Are Good News for Buyers”
With student loans and credit debt at an all-time high, many first-time home buyers wonder if they’ll ever accumulate enough money to meet their down payment. Fortunately, there are ways for cash-strapped borrowers to bridge the gap. Here are some options to consider:
Read More “Six Ways to Fund Your Down Payment”
Recent policy changes from FHA, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are intended to make homeownership a more attainable goal for first-time homebuyers. What are the changes and what difference will they make? For those planning to enter the housing market for the first time, the right opportunity may come sooner than expected due to more favorable guidelines and lower costs.
Read More “2015 Policy Changes Benefit First-Time Homebuyers”