How a Change in Mortgage Rate Impacts Your Homebuying Budget Mortgage Rate and Your Homebuying Budget Mortgage rates are on the rise this year, but they’re still incredibly low compared to the historic average. However, anytime there’s a change in the mortgage rate, it affects what you can afford to borrow when you’re buying a home. As Sam Khater, Chief Continue Reading about Mortgage Rate and Your Homebuying Budget
Mortgages
What To Expect as Appraisal Gaps Grow
What To Expect as Appraisal Gaps Grow What is an appraisal gap? In today’s real estate market, low inventory and high demand are driving up home prices. As many as 54% of homes are getting offers over the listing price, based on the latest Realtors Confidence Index from the National Association of Realtors (NAR). Shawn Telford, Chief Appraiser at CoreLogic, elaborates: “The frequency of Continue Reading about What To Expect as Appraisal Gaps Grow
Pre-Approval Makes a Huge Difference When Buying a Home
Pre-Approval Makes All the Difference When Buying a Home You may have been told that it’s important to get a pre-approval at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in today’s market, with rising home prices and high buyer competition, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget so you stand out to sellers Continue Reading about Pre-Approval Makes a Huge Difference When Buying a Home
Don’t Forget to Budget for Closing Costs
Don’t Forget to Budget for Closing Costs When buying a home, it’s important to have a budget and make sure you plan ahead for certain homebuying expenses. Saving for a down payment is the main cost that comes to mind for many, but budgeting for the closing costs required to get a mortgage is just as important. What Are Closing Costs? According to Trulia: “When you close on a Continue Reading about Don’t Forget to Budget for Closing Costs
Are Mortgage Rates Expected to Rise Over the Next Year?
Are Mortgage Rates Expected to Rise Over the Next Year? So far this year, mortgage rates continue to hover around 3%, encouraging many hopeful homebuyers to enter the housing market. However, there’s a good chance rates will increase later this year and going into 2022, ultimately making it more expensive to borrow money for a home loan. Here’s a look at what several experts have to Continue Reading about Are Mortgage Rates Expected to Rise Over the Next Year?
Saving for a Down Payment
How Much Time Do You Need To Save for a Down Payment? One of the biggest hurdles homebuyers face is saving for a down payment. As you’re budgeting and planning for your home purchase, you’ll want to understand how much you’ll need to put down and how long it will take you to get there. The process may actually move faster than you think. Using data from the U.S. Department Continue Reading about Saving for a Down Payment
Should We Fear the Surge in Cash-Out Refinances?
Should We Fear the Surge in Cash-Out Refinances? Freddie Mac recently released their Quarterly Refinance Statistics report which covers refinances through 2020. The report explains that the dollar amount of cash-out refinances was greater in 2020 than in recent years. A cash-out refinance, as defined by Investopia, is: “a mortgage refinancing option in Continue Reading about Should We Fear the Surge in Cash-Out Refinances?
How Upset Should You Be about 3% Mortgage Rates
How Upset Should You Be about 3% Mortgage Rates? Last Thursday, Freddie Mac announced that their 30-year fixed mortgage rate was over 3% (3.02%) for the first time since last July. That news dominated real estate headlines that day and the next. Articles talked about the “negative impact” it may have on the housing market. However, we should realize two things: 1. The Continue Reading about How Upset Should You Be about 3% Mortgage Rates
