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Do you qualify for a VA loan? Ultimately, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has the final say, but many service members, reservists, veterans and their surviving spouses meet the VA loan eligibility requirements. An experienced loan officer can determine whether you’re likely to qualify, but these are the basic guidelines for qualification. VA Loans […]

Becoming an investor in real estate is a great way to make a “long term” profit in today’s real estate market. But getting a loan with current lending standards can be out of the reach of most investors. An investment property, one that you don’t live in but rent out, is a great way to […]

There is great power in being a first-time home buyer, even though you may not feel like it. For starters, you have access to special loan programs that can help you close a loan more quickly and less expensively than if you had already purchased a home before. In first-time mortgage loans, you can expect […]

You invest in real estate to make money. The best investments are those that make the greatest amount of money with the least amount of effort. So you want to put a value on the time you spend managing your investment as well as the money you put into it. How do you make more […]

For most home buyers, closing costs are one of the biggest up-front expenses of a new home loan – and sometimes they come as quite a surprise. You’ve saved and saved for your down payment and, now, you have to come up with thousands more to close on your mortgage? Fortunately, we have some simple […]

Whether you’re looking to refinance your current mortgage or you’re looking for a new loan, you need to know about private mortgage insurance (PMI) and how it affects you. PMI is a privately secured insurance that is required on conventional loans with less than 20% equity in the property. This insurance protects the lender against […]

Years of building up equity in your home can work in your favor. Before you get ready to call your broker and get your new home upgrade or refinance started, you want to get the most out of your equity. That means getting the best appraisal. An appraiser is a third party that will give […]

Buying a home can be a complex process, and some homeowners find themselves with a mortgage that doesn’t work for them, or home repair problems that they can’t afford. A little work up-front can save you years of headaches and thousands of dollars. Check Your Credit Score First Home buyers need at least a credit […]

Starting a home loan application means you are on your way to receiving your pre-approval letter. That letter will let you know exactly how much you can borrow. That knowledge will help you save time and money as you search and make an offer on a home. Get a jump on fixing any financial issues […]

You usually don’t get what you don’t ask for when negotiating. So ask responsibly. You want to create a reasonable and fair offer that benefits both parties. In the process, there are some Do’s and Don’ts that can help make sure you are getting a good deal. Do’s: Have your real estate agent negotiate for […]