As I recently explained in detail in another article, a cash-out mortgage refinance loan can be a great way to free up some immediate cash using the equity you’ve built up in your home over the years. However, one of the downsides to a cash-out refinance is taking on a slightly higher interest rate than a regular refinance. It is a practice called “loan-level pricing.”
Topics: Home Equity, Home Ownership, Mortgage
Whether you currently have extra time to complete a home improvement project or the recent economic challenges have taken a toll on your family budget, many people are looking for immediate cash these days.
Could a cash-out refinance be the solution?
Topics: Home Equity, Home Ownership, Mortgage
With unemployment rising and no clear timeline for the reopening of non-essential businesses, many people are worried about how they can make ends meet for the next few months and beyond.
One option to consider for financial relief is your mortgage.
Topics: Home Equity, Home Ownership, Mortgage, Economy, Saving, Budget
Other than different interest rates, most people think that one mortgage is the same as any other. In truth, there are dozens of different mortgage loan options, each with their own special provisions to help people in different phases of life or people in specific situations.
When life changes, your home loan needs may change, too. From first-time home buyer to eventually downsizing as an empty-nester, there’s a perfect mortgage for every phase of life.
Topics: Home Equity, Home Ownership, Mortgage
In today’s increasingly digitized world, consumers do not lack for banking options; in fact, they’ve never had so many at their disposal. Accordingly, many choose to spread their money among several institutions, to create a “diversified portfolio” of providers for their discrete financial needs. While this approach is not without its benefits, there’s another that may deliver even more value: It’s called the “full-banking relationship,” and while it can help save time, money, and stress, perhaps its most valuable “feature” is peace of mind.
Topics: Financial Planning, Mortgage, Trust, Wealth Management, Community Banking, Estate Planning
Divorce is difficult for so many reasons. To avoid making it harder than it has to be on your finances, it helps to understand the way mortgages are handled as you divide assets.
Whether you are thinking about keeping your current home to provide stability or considering a move to get a fresh start, there are things you should know to make the process easier.
Topics: Home Equity, Home Ownership, Mortgage
It’s incredible, but true: Mortgage rates, already near historic lows months ago, have continued to drop. In fact, the rate environment is such that people who bought a home just last year might benefit from already refinancing, as it’s estimated that by doing so, the average homeowner could save around $150 monthly.
Topics: Home Equity, Home Ownership, Mortgage
Mortgage interest rates have been declining recently, and you may be wondering whether it makes sense to refinance. If you can either lower your monthly payment, or keep your payment about the same but pay your loan off faster, then it might.
Topics: Mortgage
With the weather finally starting to cooperate and spring just around the corner, the 2019 housing market is beginning to heat up in earnest. Loan applications for newly constructed properties accelerated going into this year’s peak home-buying season, contrasting with the weakness seen at this time in 2018. Year-over-year new-home purchase applications for March were up 7%; compared to the previous month, they increased 19%.
Topics: Home Ownership, Mortgage, Saving, Budget
Homebuyers and investment property buyers alike can take advantage of the winter doldrums to realize the biggest discounts on home prices. Based upon national sales data of single-family homes and condos from 2013 to 2017, there are 10 specific days that show the greatest home price discount.
Topics: Mortgage