Conventional vs. FHA Loans: What’s the Difference?

Loans are taken out for many reasons: buying a home, funding higher education, buying a car, and other large purchases. Understanding the different types of loans and what they mean for you can be overwhelming and confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! For housing, the differences between conventional and FHA loans are laid out […]

Is It the Right Time to Refinance My Mortgage?

With hundreds of snowbirds making a move from snowy northern states to sunny South Florida every year, it seems the real estate market is constantly evolving. However, for those who have already purchased their homes in the sunshine state, their current mortgage might not be cutting it anymore. If you read that last sentence and […]

What is a Duplex and Why Would You Want One?

Is a Duplex Right for You? Part of the American dream is owning a house with a white picket fence. But what if someone told you that you could own property for less, and even generate another income from it? A duplex is a building created for two households. A duplex has clear boundaries between […]

Home Values in the City vs. the Suburbs

When buying your first home, there are a lot of things to consider, but one thing you might want to look at is how the home values are impacted by location. Suburban Homes Generally Have More Space Than Urban Homes If you’re someone who wants to live in a big house, you’re definitely going to […]

Understanding Jumbo Loans

When You Can’t Get a Conforming Loan, You Get a Jumbo Loan Imagine you’ve found the house of your dreams. After years of work, maybe even decades, you’re ready for this place that you love. Maybe it’s in an expensive area of town, or maybe it’s particularly big. Whatever the reason, you’ve found a home […]

Should You Buy a Home or Rent a House?

When you’re trying to decide whether you should buy or rent a property, there’s one simple question you need to consider. Do you want a house or a home? Why You Might Want to Rent If you’re young — coming straight out of college or from a family member’s place — you might just need […]

The Summer Housing Trends Roundup

House hunters are often warned not to chase deals – the perfect house might slip through their fingers because they don’t like the paint color. It’s a good idea to stay focused on your long-term happiness and not small details, or even a slightly lower price. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t approach the house-hunting […]

Avoid the Most Common Mistakes House Hunters Make

Buying a house should be a simple process. But when dealing with what is usually the largest asset in most people’s lives, both the seller and the buyer often complicate the process unnecessarily. When you’re the buyer, you can avoid making costly mistakes by keeping these five tips in mind. Don’t Hold Out for Perfection […]

Making Closing Make More Sense

It’s no secret that closing on a property is a chaotic, confusing experience for most home buyers. Even experienced buyers purchasing their second or third home find the process intimidating: From last-minute changes in the money they must bring to the table to the mountain of confusing documents they must sign and supposedly review. Stories […]

I’m a teacher. Are there any lenders who offer discounts for mortgage applicants who teach?

A Mortgage Broker or a Bank? The Best Path to Finding the Ideal Mortgage

How do you find the best deal on a mortgage, knowing that even a small difference in interest rate or rules can mean a significant amount of money saved? Should you go to a mortgage broker or bank to find it? Let’s first look at what brokers do. A mortgage broker is a middleman who […]

I’m in the middle of the loan process for buying a new home and am considering opening a new credit card account. Is this a bad idea?