Posts Tagged ‘loan’
Why You May Want To Seriously Consider a Newly Built Home
Kevin Brierton – 1.16.2024 Are you putting off your plans to sell because you’re worried you won’t be able to find a home you like when you move? If so, it may be time to consider a newly built home and the benefits that come with one. Here’s why. Near-Record Percentage of New Home Inventory Newly built…
Read MoreAvoid These Common Mistakes After Applying for a Mortgage
Kevin Brierton – 1.10.2024 If you’re getting ready to buy a home, it’s exciting to jump a few steps ahead and think about moving in and making it your own. But before you get too far down the emotional path, there are some key things to keep in mind after you apply for your mortgage and before you close. Here’s…
Read MoreWays Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Goals
Kevin Brierton – 1.9.2024 If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth…
Read MoreWhat Lower Mortgage Rates Mean for Your Purchasing Power
Kevin Brierton – 1.8.2024 If you want to buy a home, it’s important to know how mortgage rates impact what you can afford and how much you’ll pay each month. Fortunately, rates for 30-year fixed mortgages have come down significantly since the end of October and are currently under 7%, according to Freddie Mac (see graph below): This recent trend is…
Read MoreWhy Pre-Approval Is Your Homebuying Game Changer
Kevin Brierton – 1.4.2024 If you’re thinking about buying a home, pre-approval is a crucial part of the process you don’t want to skip. So, before you start picturing yourself in your new living room or dining on your future all-season patio, be sure you’re working with a trusted lender to prioritize this essential step.…
Read MoreGet Ready To Buy a Home by Improving Your Credit Score
Kevin Brierton – 12.26.2023 As the new year approaches, the idea of buying a home might be on your mind. It’s an exciting goal to set, and it’s never too early to start laying the groundwork. One crucial step to prepare for homeownership is building a solid credit score. Lenders review your credit to assess your ability to make…
Read MoreWhy The No-Cost Refinance Makes Sense – Buy Now, Build Equity, and Save Big in 2024
Owning a home is a crucial part of finding financial freedom, but deciding when to make the move into homeownership is never an easy decision. That decision is especially hard today with home prices and mortgage rates at record highs. Buying a home now would likely come with a housing payment that is significantly higher…
Read MoreWhy Zillow Says Fall 2023 is a Homebuying “Sweet Spot”
Kevin Brierton – 10.15.2023 Most people grow up dreaming of owning a home someday, escaping the cloud of rising rents, and building wealth through home equity. However, with the recent surge in home prices, you may be wondering if this is the smartest move today. With home prices so high, is it worth buying a…
Read MoreExplaining Adjustable Rate Mortgages
Kevin Brierton – 10.8.2023 When it comes to mortgages, there’s a wide array of options to choose from, and one that often piques the interest of homebuyers is the adjustable-rate mortgage or ARM. But what exactly is an ARM, and how does it differ from the more traditional fixed-rate mortgage? Let’s break it down: What…
Read MoreUnderstanding the Benefits of Owning Your First Home
Kevin Brierton – 10.4.2023 Are you considering buying your first home? If so, it can be helpful to know what led other people to make that decision. According to a recent survey of first-time homebuyers by PulteGroup: “When asked why they purchased their first home recently, the answer was simple: because they wanted to. Either the desire to stop renting…
Read MoreWhy Today’s Housing Inventory Shows a Crash Isn’t on the Horizon
Kevin Brierton – 9.27.2023 You might remember the housing crash in 2008, even if you didn’t own a home at the time. If you’re worried there’s going to be a repeat of what happened back then, there’s good news – the housing market now is different from 2008. One important reason is there aren’t enough homes for sale.…
Read MoreBeginning with Pre-Approval
Kevin Brierton – 9.25.2023 If you’re looking to buy a home this fall, there are a few things you need to know. Affordability is tight with today’s mortgage rates and rising home prices. At the same time, there’s a limited number of homes on the market right now and that’s creating some competition among buyers. But, if you’re strategic, there…
Read MoreShould Baby Boomers Buy or Rent After Selling Their Houses?
Kevin Brierton – 9.13.2023 Are you a baby boomer who’s lived in your current house for a long time and you’re ready for a change? If you’re thinking about selling your house, you have a lot to consider. Will you move to a different state or stay nearby? Is it time to downsize or do you want more…
Read MoreMortgage Rates: Past, Present, and Possible Future
Kevin Brierton – 9.6.2023 If you’re hoping to buy a home this year, you’re probably paying close attention to mortgage rates. Since mortgage rates impact what you can afford when you take out a home loan – and affordability is a challenge today – it’s a good time to look at the big picture of where mortgage rates…
Read MoreGen Z: The Next Generation Is Making Moves in the Housing Market
Kevin Brierton – 8.28.2023 Generation Z (Gen Z) is eager to put down their own roots and achieve financial independence. As a result, they’re turning to homeownership. According to the latest Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of Realtors (NAR), 30% of Gen Z buyers transitioned straight from living under their parents’ roofs to owning…
Read MoreWhy You Don’t Need To Fear the Return of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages
Kevin Brierton – 8.22.2023 If you remember the housing crash back in 2008, you may recall just how popular adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) were back then. And after years of being virtually nonexistent, more people are once again using ARMs when buying a home. Let’s break down why that’s happening and why this isn’t cause for…
Read MoreEquity Is a Game Changer for Homeowners Looking To Sell
Kevin Brierton – 8.15.2023 If you’re a homeowner, you might be torn on whether or not to sell your house right now. Maybe that’s because you don’t want to take on a higher mortgage rate on your next home. If that’s your biggest hurdle, understanding your equity may be exactly what you need to help you feel more comfortable making…
Read MoreHow To Know If You’re Ready to Buy a Home
Kevin Brierton – 8.2.2023 If you’re trying to decide if you’re ready to buy a home, there’s probably a lot on your mind. You’re thinking about your finances, today’s mortgage rates and home prices, the limited supply of homes for sale, and more. And, you’re juggling how all of those things will impact the choice you’ll make. While housing…
Read MoreAmericans Still View Homeownership as the American Dream
Kevin Brierton – 7.4.2023 Everyone’s interpretation of the American Dream is unique and personal. But, for many people, it’s tied to a sense of success, freedom, and prosperity. These are all things that owning a home can help provide. A recent survey from Bankrate asked respondents which achievements they feel most embody the American Dream.…
Read MoreThe Power of Pre-Approval
Kevin Brierton – 4.24.2023 If you’re buying a home this spring, today’s housing market can feel like a challenge. With so few houses on the market right now, plus higher mortgage rates, it’s essential to have a firm grasp on your homebuying budget. You’ll also need a sense of determination to find the right house…
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