What’s the Difference Between Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval?
Unfortunately, without proper preparation, many buyers get lulled into the mistaken notion that if a lender pre-qualifies them for a mortgage, it means that they have been pre-approved for the home loan. There’s a world of difference between these two terms. If you’ve ever been confused by the two, this will explain how they differ, […]
Buying a House Without a Spouse
Getting married has several financial consequences; it can raise or lower your taxes. It can alter the types of retirement accounts you’re eligible for. It can affect your insurance rates. And yes, being married can also impact a mortgage. While there are many things to take into consideration when you purchase a home, you may […]
Who Qualifies as a First Time Home Buyer in Florida?
Did you know that the definition of a first-time buyer isn’t restricted to people purchasing their first property ever? According to the Department of Housing and Urban Development, it also includes the following: A person who has not owned a residence for at least 3 years. A single parent who previously co-owned a home while […]
Pricing a Home to Sell
While there are additional factors that come into play when pricing a home, such as time of year, supply and demand, and market fluctuations, the right price is ultimately the maximum amount that a buyer is willing to pay. It’s important for sellers to keep emotion out of the process, which can be understandably difficult. […]
Bought a Home. Now What?
What’s better, renting or buying? There’s no universally correct answer to this question, but one option may be a much better choice for you. For some, homeownership was a no-brainer. Here are the top reasons to think about when buying a home, and how to determine whether or not you may be ready to buy […]
The Difference Between APR and Mortgage Interest Rate
Considering taking on a mortgage can be confusing and overwhelming. There’s an endless amount of information and advice and weeding through it can be a monumental task. When you get a mortgage, you are charged two different rates—the annual percentage rate and the interest rate. Understanding the difference between the two rates is important and […]
How FHA Loans Work
FHA loans are a great option for first time home buyers — if this is your first home purchase, a Florida FHA home loan is probably your best option with its low down payment and easier credit standards. Your down payment can be as low as 3.5% of the purchase price and closing costs and […]
Summertime Fireplace Maintenance Tips
Summertime in Florida is a great time to do deep-down house and yard cleaning: gardening, cleaning windows, outdoor paint touch-ups, etc. This is the time of year to get your house, yard, and outbuildings checked out for any wintertime damage, have those things repaired, and get them looking their best. One item that you never […]
Ins and Outs of a VA Loan
What is a VA Loan? A VA Loan is a segment of the GI Bill was that signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt to provide veterans with a federally guaranteed home loan with no down payment. It’s one of the ways we thank our veterans for their service. What Service Members Need to […]
Maximizing Your Appraisal
If you want to refinance your home and still take advantage of currently low interest rates, you’ll they have to get through a home appraisal, before landing a new 30-year fixed-rate mortgage. What do you do when the appraisal came back less than what you’re expecting, and too low to support the new loan? Low […]
