by Marti Reeder | Mar 6, 2017 | Credit, Down Payment, Finance, Mortgage, Pre-Approval
Unless you’ve got a trust fund or buckets of cash lying around, if you want to buy a home this year, you’ll need a mortgage. Here are 5 tips to help you find a mortgage that meets your needs: Find out how much of a down payment you need to save. Down payments vary...
by Marti Reeder | Nov 7, 2016 | Credit, Finance, Home Buying, Home Ownership, Mortgage
A good credit history is needed to buy a home, but what constitutes a “good” credit score varies by lender and loan type. For example, to qualify for an FHA loan with a 3.5% down payment, you need a FICO score of 580 or higher. Conventional loans backed by Freddie Mae...
by Marti Reeder | Oct 31, 2016 | Budgeting, Credit, Down Payment, Finance, Home Buying, Home Ownership, Misc., Mortgage
As we said in our Oct. 17 blog post, this is a seller’s market, so it is important that you get pre-qualified or pre-approved for a mortgage. Here’s what you’ll need to qualify in the current real estate market: A down payment. This can range from 5%...
by Marti Reeder | Aug 15, 2016 | Credit, Down Payment, Finance, Home Buying, Home Ownership, Mortgage, PMI, Reporter
Prospective home buyers have a lot of questions about buying their first – or next – home. Here are some of the most frequently asked questions I hear from home buyers. 1. How do I get started? What’s the first step? Choose a Realtor®, not just a real estate...
by Marti Reeder | Jul 11, 2016 | Closing Costs, Credit, Disclosures, Down Payment, Finance, Home Buying, Home Ownership, Home Selling, Interest Rates, Mortgage, PMI, Reporter, Taxes, Taxes, Title Insurance
What You Need to Know about Mortgage & Closing Costs Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner ready for your next home, it is important to understand mortgage and closing costs. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you better...
by Marti Reeder | Jun 6, 2016 | Credit, Finance, Home Buying, Home Ownership, Mortgage, Reporter
There are all kinds of terms thrown around when it comes to buying a home. Two of these terms are “pre-qualified” and “pre-approved.” While these terms are similar, they are, in fact, very different. Let’s talk about the differences. Pre-qualification Being...