Purchasing a new home can not only provide a sense of fulfillment and years of enjoyment, but it can also be a great investment, as the price of real estate has consistently ridden market highs and lows to appreciate in … Read the rest
Innovative Materials That Lower Home Energy Bills And Increase Property Value
Whether the time has come for a home remodel or you are looking to purchase a new home, attention to the building materials of the home is incredibly important, as the proper use of innovative materials will lower your energy … Read the rest
Healthy Home, Healthy You:
Remodels and Upgrades That Can Improve Your Health and Well-Being
The word “remodel” often gets one thinking that improvements are being made to a home in order to increase the value of the house or to improve the aesthetics. However, … Read the rest
Columnist: Reverse Mortgages Can Improve Retirement Security
In a recent story titled How to Create a Retirement ‘Paycheck,’ syndicated columnist and certified financial planner Liz Weston recommended strategies for improving retirement security that included getting a reverse mortgage.
After first discussing income annuities, Weston added, “Another option … Read the rest
Choosing a Home with Good Bones
How To Know If A House Has ‘Good Bones’
When you’re shopping for a new home, it’s not uncommon to hear your realtor say that a house has “good bones.” But what does that mean? You might notice that they … Read the rest
Cautions about the Reverse Mortgage
This is from the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association:
As with any financial transaction–be it a mortgage, a credit card or even a bank account–there are specific rules and obligations attached to reverse mortgages. Some of them are unique to … Read the rest
Some Important Reverse Mortgage Guidelines
This is from the National Reverse Mortgage Lenders Association. Among the rules and obligations you need to be aware of for a Reverse Mortgage are:
Everyone listed on the deed of a home owned by someone seeking a reverse mortgage … Read the rest
Six Things All Pet Parents Should do on Moving Day
People stress about moving. So do people’s pets. Dogs and cats are especially prone to pressure caused by unexpected activities, such as moving trucks in the driveway and a new pile of boxes in the hall. Unfortunately, there … Read the rest
On the Market: Tips to Sell Your Humble Dog-Friendly Abode
Some people are dog lovers, while others aren’t. While the latter seems crazy to you, you need to keep this in mind when you are trying to sell your home. For some potential buyers, the dog-friendly aspect will be a … Read the rest
Buyers Agent: they made me do it
More About Mortgage Math
Recently, I wrote about mortgage math and this article is another aspect of that math.
Over the years, I’ve observed that most people, but not all, know the approximate rate on their mortgage. They know because it’s usually their largest … Read the rest
A Two Paragraph Real Estate Contract – Really
Obviously this transaction is before the Dodd Frank Legislation. A Realtor brought me a 2 paragraph real estate transaction and the one page is the only page he gave me. I told him that the bank would not accept the … Read the rest
Mortgages…Math Is Important!
There is more math in the mortgage process than meets the eye and most borrowers, and even many loan officers, don’t understand all potential ramifications. It’s important to work with someone who does in order for them to present the … Read the rest
How To Compute Blended Rate: The real cost of all money borrowed
A person called me today concerned that the Fed Discount, Prime Rate, etc will be rising and is considering a refinance. I computed for him the cost of ALL money that he has borrowed and this is the formula to … Read the rest
Misconceptions about reverse mortgages
A lot of people who might benefit from a reverse mortgage have misconceptions about them. Fact: a reverse mortgage is just like any other mortgage in regards to homeowner rights….with one exception. Unlike a forward mortgage where, after a reasonable … Read the rest