March 21st, 2023 by Team Mortgage Mikes
The mortgage process is a long and complicated one, with a number of similar-sounding terms that can easily confuse first-time homebuyers. A pre-approval is not the same thing as a pre-qualification, and it’s important to understand everything that goes into a pre-approval. Being declined during the pre-approval process means you’ll have a hard time getting the funds you need to buy your home, so it’s important that you know what the process is going to look like before going into it. How does a pre-approval work, and how can you make sure you won’t be declined? Here’s what you need to know. What Is A Mortgage Pre-Approval? A mortgage pre-approval is a step that happens somewhere near the start of the home buying process. Being...
Read More
March 20th, 2023 by Team Mortgage Mikes
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on housing starts and building permits issued, the National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index, and Fed Chair Janet Yellen’s Senate testimony. The Commerce Department reported on housing starts and building permits issued published, and a monthly reading on consumer sentiment was published. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Two bank failures instill fear in depositors In the aftermath of two bank failures last week, US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said that “the banking system is sound” during testimony to the US Senate last Thursday. When asked if federal protection could be extended to deposit accounts exceeding $250,000, Secretary Yellen replied that such action would “require approval from super majorities of the Boards...
Read More
March 17th, 2023 by Team Mortgage Mikes
If you plan on buying a house in the near future, there are a few mortgage options available. One potential option is called a VA loan. This is a loan that has been backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, and it could provide you with some added flexibility that you can use to purchase a house. Is a VA loan right for you? There are a few points to keep in mind. Who Qualifies For a VA Loan? First, not everyone is able to access a VA loan. This is a loan that is generally only available to active members of the US military, veterans of the US military, and surviving spouses of service members. There are different service requirements that you need to meet before...
Read More
March 16th, 2023 by Team Mortgage Mikes
One of the challenges you will face when deciding how much money to put down on your new home is whether to put down a larger down payment or to take a bit of money from your down payment and use it to buy “discount points” to lower your interest rate. There are pros and cons to doing both and each borrowers situation will be different so it’s important to understand which option is best for your individual situation. Some factors you should consider include: Cost of borrowing – generally speaking, to lower your interest rate will mean you pay a premium. Most lenders will charge as much as one percent (one point) on the face amount of your loan to decrease your rate. Before...
Read More
March 15th, 2023 by Team Mortgage Mikes
Are you in the process of selling your home? You probably want to buy a new one right now to ensure you have another house to move into, but what happens if you do not have the cash to buy a home right now? You might need to cash from your current home before you can purchase your next home, but can you really wait to sell your house before buying another one? A bridge loan can help you fix this issue. What is a bridge loan, and how does it work? What Is A Bridge Loan? A bridge loan has been specifically designed to let you tap into the equity you have in your current home and use that equity to buy another house. Essentially,...
Read More
March 14th, 2023 by Team Mortgage Mikes
If you are getting ready to retire, you need to make sure you have income to support yourself during your golden years. One popular option is a reverse mortgage, and you can use it to supplement the benefits you receive through Social Security. On the other hand, you may have also heard about a home equity conversion mortgage. What are the differences between them, and which one is right for you? A Reverse Mortgage A reverse mortgage is a popular option because you can tap into the equity you have in your home to receive funds from a specific lender. In some cases, they will provide you with a single lump sum, but in other cases, they may provide you with monthly installments. You are...
Read More
