Blog

Jan 31, 2017

Throughout the real estate process, you’ll find yourself coming across critically important terms you may not yet be familiar with. Two terms that can be especially confusing are “inspection” and “appraisal.” Both of these are similar, in that an expert walks through a property in order to spot trouble areas, but they both play very […]

Jan 30, 2017

As we move into February, many of us are still following our new year’s resolutions and goals. One of best resolutions (or goal for any time period) is improving our finances. Open Mortgage provided some financial resolution tips and strategies in a recent blog post. Whether you want to maintain your financial resolutions or simply […]

Jan 26, 2017

As discussed in part one and part two in our identity theft blog series, everyone is at risk of  identity theft. But by learning how identity theft occurs, and staying alert for signs that it happened, you can create strategies that help prevent it. Unfortunately, there is no one single tool or action (or combined […]

Jan 25, 2017

Are you self-employed? If so, you’re part of a rapidly growing segment of the US economy. In fact, an October 2016 study found that America’s freelancing economy has grown to 55 million people, or 35% of the entire workforce. Getting a mortgage can be harder and more expensive if you’re self employed, but there are […]

Jan 24, 2017

A recent study estimates that as many as 33% of Americans have $0 saved away for retirement, and over half have “less than $10,000.” Fewer employers offer any form of retirement package, and given the financial demands of the modern household, it’s no wonder that so few workers are able to save for the future. […]

Jan 23, 2017

If you’re considering applying for a mortgage to purchase a home, you can expect a long-term commitment. A 2015 survey found that despite 15-year mortgages being available, 86% of mortgage applicants opted for 30-year loans. With a 30-year loan, the borrower pays back the principal (amount borrowed to pay for the home) along with interest […]

Jan 19, 2017

If you’re a prospective homebuyer, having a good credit rating is an important part of the mortgage process. And while there are a range of strategies for building and maintaining good credit, identity theft can damage your efforts and rapidly lower your credit score. As discussed in our first identity theft blog post, identity theft […]

Jan 18, 2017

It is estimated that senior property owners are sitting on more equity than at any time in history – over $6 trillion. This has led to more seniors into considering a reverse mortgage. If you’re thinking about getting a reverse mortgage, we strongly advise talking with your adult kids about your reasons. Here are some […]

Jan 17, 2017

Buying a property is both an investment, and your chance to have a home for you and your family. It is a financial decision that is not to be taken lightly, and throughout the process it is important to ask questions, stay informed, and make sure that you are making the best choice for your […]

Jan 16, 2017
If you’re considering buying a home, you’ve probably heard about homeowners insurance — and you might have groaned about being required to pay for it. Concern over the cost of homeowners insurance is understandable, as it costs the average US homeowner $952 annually (in addition to mortgage payments and property taxes). But while the price […]
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