If you're considering buying a home, you're likely wondering how much you’ll need for a down payment. The common belief is that you need to put down 20% of the home’s purchase price, but that’s not the only option and in many cases, it’s not even necessary. Let’s break down what’s really required and explore your choices. The Traditional 20% RuleTraditionally, lenders prefer a 20% down payment. Why? Because it lowers their risk. If you’re purchasing a … [Read more...]
What To Do When Your Mortgage Loan is Declined
Getting turned down for a mortgage can be discouraging, but it doesn’t mean the dream of homeownership is over. In fact, understanding why your application was declined is the first step toward making a stronger comeback. Let’s look at some of the most common reasons a mortgage might be denied and what you can do about it. 1. Loan-to-Value (LTV) RatioYour loan-to-value ratio is the percentage of the property’s appraised value that you want to borrow. For instance, if … [Read more...]
What Your Coffee Habit Can Teach You About Paying Off Your Mortgage Faster
As your mortgage advisor, I am not here to tell you to give up your favorite coffee, but I am here to show you how something as simple as your daily coffee run can reveal some powerful lessons about how to pay off your mortgage faster. The Cost of Coffee and the Opportunity It HidesLet’s say you spend $5 a day on coffee, five days a week. That is $25 a week, about $100 a month, and $1,200 a year. Over 10 years? That adds up to $12,000.Now imagine if you took just a portion of that and … [Read more...]
Why Your Mortgage Has an Escrow Account and How It Works for You
When you close on a home loan, you’ll likely hear the term “escrow account” mentioned—and if you’re like most buyers, you may not be entirely sure what it means. While it might sound complicated, an escrow account is a helpful tool that simplifies homeownership and protects your investment. What is an Escrow Account?An escrow account is a separate account set up by your mortgage servicer to hold funds for specific home-related expenses, most commonly property taxes … [Read more...]
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