There is a lot of competition in the real estate market today, so you do not want to do anything that could jeopardize your chances of getting your dream home. The home loan approval process is not as simple as most people believe, and it can take some time to process all the information required.…
Once you’ve applied for a mortgage, there are some key things to keep in mind before you close the transaction. It’s exciting to start thinking about moving in and decorating your new place, but before you make any large purchases, or move your money around, be sure to consult your lender. Here’s a list of…
As a renter, you face the same question on some sort of recurring basis (depending on your lease tenure): keep renting for another year or purchase a home? Your answer obviously depends on your current situation and future plans, but there are a number of benefits to homeownership every renter needs to consider. Here are…
There’s no way around it, mortgage rates have been on the rise in 2022. With the uncertainty of where rates may go, you should do everything in your power to increase your chance at getting the best rate available to you. Your mortgage rate will depend on things such as your personal credit profile, income,…
Your equity is a powerful tool that can help you achieve your goals as a homeowner. And chances are, your equity grew substantially over the past year. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, homeowners gained an average of $51,500 in equity over the past year. If you’re looking for the best ways…
It's an adventure when you're ready to go house hunting. It’s even more exciting when you are ready to search for your first home. Whether you're moving out of your parent's house, or you have been renting and are ready to finally own your own place, you're taking a big step in life. Here are…
It’s important to get pre-approved at the beginning of the homebuying process, but what does that really mean, and why is it so important? Especially in today’s market, with rising home prices and high buyer competition, it’s crucial to have a clear understanding of your budget so you stand out to sellers as a serious…
How big of a down payment do you need for a house? That’s going to depend entirely on the type of mortgage you choose. For some, it could be literally nothing — not a dime. Most will need at least 3% or 3.5% of the purchase price. The down payment amount you’ll need depends on…
If you’re a homeowner in 2021, there's a very good chance that you have a fair amount of equity due to recent market appreciation. So if you're wanting to take advantage of historically low borrowing rates and pay off debt or do some home improving, there are a few ways to go about it. There…
If you’re obtaining a mortgage to buy a house, then you could have two types of insurance, homeowners insurance and mortgage insurance. Homeowner’s insurance is sometimes referred to as hazard insurance. These policies cover damage to your property and losses you might suffer in a natural disaster, flood, break-in or other unexpected circumstance. Much like…