If you are new to the home-buying process, you are probably aware that one of the best first courses of action is to get pre-approved before you start house hunting. So, you head to your bank or financial institution, but you have no idea what goes into the process of pre-approval. What do you need… Read more »
Michelle Huizinga is a hairdresser in West Michigan, but you won’t find her at a retail salon near a grocery store. Instead, Michelle, like many enterprising entrepreneurs, works from her own home. Through a room she renovated in her home, Michelle now sees her clients and her children with no travel time. “I started working… Read more »
No one likes the idea of sending their parent away to a nursing home to be surrounded by strangers all day. But is there anything else that can be done? Maybe you want to have them live with you in a spare bedroom. But what about the cost of upgrading your home to meet their… Read more »
If you have a major financial need looming over you that you’re just not sure how you’ll afford, you may want to consider taking out a second mortgage. Keep in mind, there are some pros and cons that come along with doing that, so let’s look at the options and you can decide whether this… Read more »
If you’re seeking to refinance after October 1, 2017, you should know there are some changes coming from Freddie Mac regarding HARP. HARP, or the Home Affordable Refinance Program, is in the waning years of its existence, which is a good thing. How Freddie Mac is changing, in relation to HARP, could be a benefit… Read more »
Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) protects the lender in case you default on your loan. In most cases, unless you have a 20% down payment, you would have to pay PMI. But if that sounds like one more expense you can’t afford, here are some ways you can avoid PMI or get rid of it if… Read more »
So, you’ve had a home for awhile, but you feel like your budget is just too tight. You scrimp and save, but it’s never enough. If the biggest expense you have is your mortgage, maybe it’s time to refinance your mortgage. Refinance to a lower rate Rates are very low. Right now, for a 30-year… Read more »
As a Reservist or member of the National Guard, did you know that you could be eligible for a no down payment VA Loan? If you’re thinking about refinancing or buying a house, maybe you didn’t even realize the VA Loan could be an option for you. Although your role is different than that of a… Read more »
800-555-2098