What’s Right for You: Renting or Buying?
For many Americans, purchasing a home was a measure of financial success for decades. After the subprime mortgage crisis, people realized buying isn’t always smart but now it seems like we’re taking it to the other extreme. You need to understand the reasons for both to make the proper decision. Normal buying pros: You eliminate […]
How Long is the Mortgage Process in Florida?
Unfortunately, the honest answer is that it depends on a number of things. The most important is how long it takes you to find a Florida property you want to call home. It could take months or possibly years if you include the search as part of the process. You want to be thorough, when […]
Mortgage Protection Insurance
Mortgage Payment Protection Insurance (MPPI) or Mortgage Protection Insurance (MPI) can be described as life insurance equal to the amount of your mortgage. Neither of these should be confused with Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). They are totally different things. PMI is charged to you each month along with your mortgage payment to protect your lender […]
How to Become a Homeowner in Florida
If you’ve ever wanted to buy a house in Florida, you’ll need to go through a lot of steps. In this article, we provide an overview of how to become a homeowner in Florida. Budget You need to know exactly how much home you can afford before you begin your home search. The mortgage payment […]
Do Online Florida Mortgage Loans Need a 20% Down Payment?
Purchasing a home in Florida is not an impulse buy. From appraisals and inspections to closing costs and down payments, it can take years to save the upfront cash required. However, thanks to low-down-payment loans now on the market, homeowners can have keys in hand to that home for sale with significantly less cash out […]
How Mortgage Companies in Florida Calculate Your Mortgage
Traditionally, you can typically afford a home in Florida priced two to three times your gross income. This means that if your household income is $100,000, you can typically afford a home between $200,000 and $300,000. However, this calculation isn’t the best method. Why? Because it doesn’t consider monthly expenses and debts. Those costs can make a […]
Best Mortgage Companies in Florida
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer or are a seasoned veteran, you’ve got so many choices when it comes to purchasing a house. Finding the best mortgage company to structure a loan for your individual lending needs can be a challenge. Should you work with a mortgage lender? A mortgage broker? Or should you use […]
How the Fed’s Interest Rate Hike Affects Your Mortgage
This week, the Federal Reserve raised interest rates for the third time in 2018. This quarter-percentage rate increase brought the federal funds rate into the target range of 2 – 2.25 percent. The committee sets monetary policy, primarily by raising or lowering the Fed’s target for the federal funds rate, which is used as the […]
What You’ll Need Before Applying for a Home Loan
Whether you’re a first-time home buyer in Florida, or are an empty nester ready to downsize, you’ll need to complete a lot of steps before you consider talking with a lender. There are many things you’ll need to do to get ready to buy a home. It can be overwhelming. It might sometimes feel like […]
How to Survive Buying a House¶
Preparation¶ You’ll probably start entertaining the idea of looking for a home years before you’re totally financially prepared. It can be daunting, but it will give you a better idea of what you want, like a master suite, basement, or garage apartment. Using online mortgage calculators you’ll also be able to get a rough idea […]
