MORTGAGE BLOG

Legislative Proposal to Ban Trigger Leads Offers Consumers Hope of Long-Needed Relief

Blog posted On April 27, 2023

Last week, Rep. Ritchie Torres of New York introduced bill H.R. 2656 in hopes of ending the sale of trigger leads, which could greatly reduce the number of unsolicited calls a consumer receives after applying for a mortgage. Oftentimes, trigger leads cause confusion for buyers because they can come from competing lenders who are asking for personal information. Although this bill is still in the early stages, it’s a good (and far overdue) step in the right direction.

Best Ways to Use Your Record-High Home Equity

Blog posted On September 22, 2022

Homeowners are gaining record amounts of wealth. According to a recent report by CoreLogic, Home equity has soared nearly 28% over the past year alone. That’s an average gain of $60,200 per homeowner. Now, the average homeowner now has $300,000 in home equity – an all-time high. What does this mean? How can you take advantage of the equity in your home? 

Pros and Cons of Adjustable-Rate Mortgages

Blog posted On April 14, 2022

In a rising interest rate environment, the numbers that you see can be intimidating. Especially if you’re used to record-low rates. Getting a fixed-rate mortgage in a high-rate environment can be intimidating. Once you close on your loan, you are locked into that interest rate unless you refinance. Another alternative – one that many homeowners and home buyers haven’t thought of in a while – is an adjustable-rate mortgage (ARM).

How to Use a Cash-Out Refinance to Fund Your Next Purchase

Blog posted On April 07, 2022

Homeowners have been gaining record amounts of equity in recent years – giving them more financial power than ever. If you’ve been considering investing in more real estate, now might be the time to make your move with a cash-out refinance.

6 Tips to Help You Reach the Closing Table Faster

Blog posted On January 19, 2022

Mortgage lending has come a long way in recent years. You no longer need a 20% down payment and perfect credit score to secure a loan. There are several mortgage options with low down payment requirements and lenient credit score qualifications. What you do need for a smooth closing is honesty, cooperation, and trust. There are many steps in the mortgage process, but the most important factor in each is providing your lender all the information we need.

How to Pick the Right Type of Refinance

Blog posted On January 13, 2022

Refinancing your mortgage can be a great financial move for several different reasons. Depending on your financial goals, you can choose the refinance loan that suits your personal needs the best.

3 Ways to Save Thousands on Your Mortgage

Blog posted On January 12, 2022

Purchasing a home will likely be the largest investment of your life. While there are several actions you can take to lower the cost of your home upfront, there are also ways you can save money even after you’ve reached the closing table.

How Home Equity Can Increase Your Financial Safety

Blog posted On December 16, 2021

While many home buyers dream of the day they can paint their own walls, have their own yard, and finally have a place to call home, they might be forgetting about the most beneficial perk of all. Home equity is one of the most valuable assets for many homeowners. Not only does it boost your net worth and increase your financial freedom, but it also can strengthen your financial safety net.

How to Make Large Purchases Without Using Your Credit Card

Blog posted On November 17, 2021

Credit cards are useful for quick payments and things like monthly bills. But they often have higher interest rates than personal loans, which can make paying them off harder. If you’re thinking about making a large purchase (home renovation, household appliance, holiday gift), then you might want to explore your other options.

Breaking Down Common Refinancing Concerns

Blog posted On November 10, 2021

If you haven’t refinanced your mortgage, it’s probably for a valid reason. Maybe you don’t think you would save enough or don’t think you would qualify. Whatever the reason, it’s likely that you’ve thought about it and come to a logical conclusion. However, it might be worth revisiting. Almost 14 million homeowners are passing up on hundreds of millions of dollars in savings for one of the following misconceptions.

How to Lower the Costs of Refinancing

Blog posted On August 26, 2021

Refinancing your mortgage can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. However, it will come with closing costs that can add up quickly. Before refinancing, make sure that you have a good plan that will pay off your closing costs with your refinance savings. Explore different options that can help lower the price of your closing costs and save on your overall refinance.

7 Tips for a Successful Refinance

Blog posted On August 04, 2021

Refinancing your home while interest rates are low can be a great financial choice. There are many benefits to refinancing your home, but before jumping in, it’s a good idea to have a game plan about why you are refinancing in the first place.

Adverse Market Refinance Fee Eliminated

Blog posted On July 16, 2021

As of today, Friday July 16^th, 2021, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has eliminated the Adverse Market Refinance Fee.  Homeowners still seeking to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates may now be able to save even more money through a refinance.

3 Steps that Could Help Speed Up Your Refinance

Blog posted On June 10, 2021

When mortgage rates trend lower, people want to act fast. Home buyers will rush to find a home, while homeowners will rush to refinance. Then they’ll come to their lenders wanting to close on their loans immediately. Direct lenders, like us, typically have the ability to close quicker than others. However, part of the speed of our closings depends on you. The more prepared, responsive, and organized you are, the quicker you can close on your loan.

Money Moves to Make When Interest Rates Are Low

Blog posted On May 05, 2021

Last week the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) voted to leave the benchmark interest rate near zero. Consequently, the cost of borrowing will remain relatively favorable for consumers. If you’re thinking about how to take advantage of low rates, now is the time. Don’t know where to start? Here are two ways you can take advantage of interest rates while they’re still low.

Why You Should Stay with the Same Lender for Your Refinance

Blog posted On April 01, 2021

Refinancing your home while rates are low can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your loan. If you’re looking into refinancing you might be considering what type of refinance you want, what rates you are looking for, and whether or not you should stay with your current lender. But before you decide to refinance with someone new, here are four reasons when it makes sense to stay put.

Should You Refinance Your Mortgage in Retirement?

Blog posted On March 11, 2021

By the time you retire, your finances should be pretty consistent, which is why the thought of making a large financial move like refinancing can be intimidating to some. However, refinancing when you’re retired can bring you similar benefits to when you were still working, and can be a smart financial move for many.

What Are the Costs of Refinancing Your Mortgage?

Blog posted On February 25, 2021

When mortgage rates are near record lows, it is a great opportunity for homeowners to refinance their home loans and potentially save thousands of dollars over the life of the loan. However, when making the choice to refinance, be sure to take all of these added costs into account. 

3 Reasons You Should Refinance Now

Blog posted On February 23, 2021

Mortgage rates have trended near historic lows for almost a year now, with the number of new home purchases and refinances surging in response. At the end of last month, the number of refinance application submissions were up 59% year-over-year, hitting their highest level since March 2020. Thousands of homeowners have already refinanced their mortgage to take advantage of low rates, but if you haven’t yet, here are three factors to consider before you make your mortgage move.

What to Know About Refinancing an Investment Property

Blog posted On January 07, 2021

As interest rates have fallen to record-breaking lows over the past year, mortgage refinances have surged. Refinancing your mortgage can offer many benefits – such as lowering rates and monthly payments, removing mortgage insurance, and getting cash out for other investments. But keep in mind that if you are refinancing an investment property, you may have a few more factors to consider than when refinancing a primary residence.

3 Reasons to Refinance with a Renovation Loan

Blog posted On December 24, 2020

‘Tis the last day of shopping, and you still don’t have a clue, of which gifts you should buy or what you should do. Stores may be closed, and deals may be done, but luckily, we have the perfect gift for everyone. A playroom for the kids, a home office for you, and a new kitchen for the chef in the family, too. So, look no further than the walls of your home – because anything is possible with a renovation loan.  

Types of Refinance: Which One is Right for You?

Blog posted On April 19, 2018

Homeowners choose to refinance their mortgage for a number of reasons.  Homeowners may refinance if they have the opportunity to secure a better interest rate or need to change the repayment terms of the loan.  Cash out refinances allow homeowners to pull cash out of their loan, by raising the total loan value.  Cash in refinances enable homeowners to pay down the loan principal and lower their monthly payments.  Renovation refinances can be used to finance a home’s needed repairs or remodels through the monthly mortgage payment.