Category: First Time Home Buyer

Housing Inventory Reaches 18-Year Low

Housing Inventory Reaches 18-Year Low The number of active listings dropped again last month to the lowest level since 1999, according to the National Association of Realtors.  Only 1.65 million homes are available for sale, which equates to roughly 3.6 months of inventory nationwide.  This figure is downward from the 3.9 months of inventory reported in December… Read more »

7 Mortgage Myths Debunked

7 Mortgage Myths Debunked It is no secret that the home buying process is a long and complicated one. Getting started can be intimidating and confusing, so we’ve compiled a list of common mortgage myths we hear from our clients. Here, we’ll break them down and explain the truth about mortgages, in plain English. 1.… Read more »

FHA Lowers Mortgage Insurance Premium

FHA Lowers Mortgage Insurance Premium Great news for homebuyers considering an FHA home loan or FHA refinance! The popular mortgage program is getting even better. The Department of Housing & Urban Development announced this morning that the FHA will be decreasing their annual mortgage insurance premium by a quarter of a percent. The upfront guarantee fee… Read more »

Millennials, Mortgages and Homeownership

Millennials, Mortgages & Homeownership It is no surprise that millennials, generation aged 18-34, make up more than 40% of homebuyers today. Follow these simple steps to join your peers on the path to home ownership. Don’t Wait Forever If you find yourself waiting for the perfect house, at a great price, and the lowest rate,… Read more »

How to Ensure a Fast Mortgage Closing

If you’ve ever purchased a home, you know how stressful the process can be. What should be an exciting experience can quickly turn to panic, as the target closing date approaches. So, what can be done to prevent delays along your path to homeownership? Check out our list of tips and tricks below to meet (or beat!) your closing date. Get… Read more »

How to Get Rid of Mortgage Insurance

How to Get Rid of Mortgage Insurance So you want to break up with your monthly mortgage insurance—we don’t blame you! When you purchased your home, there’s a good chance you didn’t have 20% to put down, right? Mortgage insurance is a great option, in that it allows buyers to increase their purchasing power, but… Read more »

Conforming Loan Limits Increased

As home prices across the country continue to rise, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) and the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) have announced increases in conforming loan limits for 2017. For the first time since 2006, the FHFA has increased the maximum loan limit for conventional loans through Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac from $417,000… Read more »

Five Reasons to Buy a Home in the Winter

5 Reasons to Buy a Home in the Winter Baby, its cold outside—and its only going to get colder. Before you put your home search on hold for the next four months, check out these benefits of buying a home in the winter! 1. Less Competition During the winter months, there are less buyers shopping, and… Read more »