My Blog
The Dream Still Includes Owning A Home
Overview A Coldwell Banker survey shows that homeownership has become the central milestone around which Americans plan major life decisions. Aspiring homeowners increasingly delay other life events until they can afford to buy a home. Key Findings Homeownership as...
Appraisal Value and Price Negotiation: A Buyer’s Opportunity
The appraisal is a critical step in the home-buying process. When an appraisal comes in below the agreed-upon sales price, it can initially feel like a setback. However, for a buyer with a financing contingency in place, this situation often creates a valuable...
Charlie Chaplin & The 30 Year Fixed Mortgage
Investopedia has a fascinating article on “Why Your 30‑Year Mortgage Exists and How Charlie Chaplin Helped Create It” (Investopedia): Pre‑1930s mortgages were short‑term (typically 3–5 years) and had large balloon payments at the end, which created frequent...
Energy Efficient Homes
🏡 Mortgage Loan Programs for Green or Energy-Efficient Homes As energy costs rise and environmental awareness grows, more buyers are considering green or energy-efficient homes. The good news? There are several mortgage loan programs designed to help make these homes...
The Deed of Trust – What IS This??
It's an 18 page legal document you sign at closing that is nearly impossible for the consumer to understand (and for even me to read!). Basically it spells out the lender and borrowers responsibilities. Here is a summary: What the Borrower Needs to Do: Make...
Are Homebuyer Education Classes Right For You?
Thinking about buying your first home? It's a super exciting time! You might have heard about homebuyer education classes, and you're probably wondering if they're something you need to do. Let's break it down in plain English: What are Homebuyer Education Classes?...
Homeowners Associations – What Is An HOA Anyway??
Buying your first home is exciting, but if you're looking at properties in planned communities, you'll likely encounter Homeowners Associations (HOAs). Here's a breakdown of what HOAs are and what you need to know: What is a Homeowners Association (HOA)? An HOA is a...
Decoding Homeowners Insurance: Protecting Your Investment
Buying your first home is a huge milestone! But along with the excitement comes the responsibility of protecting your investment. Homeowners insurance is a crucial part of that protection. Let's break down what you need to know: Understanding Different Types of...
Extra Principal Payments: A Smart Move for Your Mortgage?
Wondering how to pay off your mortgage faster? Extra principal payments might be the answer. Here's a breakdown of how it works and if it's right for you. How Extra Principal Payments Work What are they? Extra principal payments are additional payments you make on...
Should I Delay Buying A Home To Avoid PMI?
Why Waiting to Save 20% for a Down Payment May Not Be the Best Strategy In the past, the conventional wisdom in the home-buying world was to save up a 20% down payment to avoid paying private mortgage insurance (PMI). However, in today's market, waiting to save a...