MORTGAGE BLOG

Key Things Buyers Should Consider When Purchasing a Home

Blog posted On August 08, 2024

After years of saving bit by bit, chipping away at debt, and boosting your credit score in preparation for buying a home, you’ve finally gotten to a good place. It’s time to wave goodbye to landlords and purchase your new home! Where do you even begin? It’s such a big life decision, and you want to make sure you find a home that checks your most important boxes while avoiding money-draining surprises. To help you determine your future home with confidence and clarity, let’s look through home buying green and red flags.

Budgeting Tips for Unexpected Home Repairs

Blog posted On August 17, 2022

Owning a home is an excellent investment but saving for unexpected expenses and repairs is essential. Even newer homes can have issues shortly after moving in. It’s highly recommended that you go into a new home with money saved for the unknowns and continue saving money yearly. Here’s how you can save for unexpected expenses and repairs.

6 Tips on How to Reduce Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Home

Blog posted On July 27, 2022

Many parts of the world are experiencing extreme heat waves this summer. What are ways that we can help reduce the impact of heat waves at home?

DIY Projects That Can Boost Your Home’s Value

Blog posted On June 15, 2022

Are you thinking about putting your house on the market? Certain updates can help you maximize profits from the sale of your home. It may be overwhelming to think about the cost of renovations, but there are several medium-to-low-cost updates that can quickly boost your home’s value.

Home Maintenance Checklist for the Summertime

Blog posted On June 08, 2022

Owning a home brings a lot of pride and joy but it also requires a good amount of maintenance throughout the year. Without the proper maintenance, your home may require more costly repairs down the road. The summer is a perfect time to take advantage of the longer days and start on your home's to-do list. 

3 Essential Yard Care Tips for Spring

Blog posted On April 06, 2022

Caring for your yard has endless benefits for both your health and financial well-being. Studies have found that yard care and gardening can boost your mood and mental health, not to mention boost your home’s value a little. If you’re getting ready to warm up the lawn mower or start the watering hose, here are three tips to remember when caring for your yard.

10 Simple Steps to Make Spring Cleaning a Breeze

Blog posted On March 09, 2022

After a long, hard winter, many people welcome the signs of warmer weather. No more snow shoveling, driveway salting, and sitting in your freezing-cold car waiting for it to heat up. But with warmer weather also comes a dreaded task for many homeowners and renters alike—spring cleaning. If you’re having trouble making dents in your cleaning list, try these 10 steps to make it a little more doable (and maybe even enjoyable)!

How to Save Money While Aging in Place

Blog posted On November 03, 2021

Many working-age people dream of the day that they can someday retire on a sunny beach. But as we get older, it seems that our preferences and priorities change. According to AARP, more than 75% of adults aged 50 and above prefer to stay in their current home. It’s natural to want to stay in an area close to family and friends. However, maintaining a home in retirement can be a difficult and costly endeavor. Luckily, there are ways you can prepare for these financial adjustments.

7 Ways Every Homeowner Can Prepare for the Fall

Blog posted On September 29, 2021

It’s hard to believe that Fall is already here. The leaves are changing colors, the weather’s getting cooler, and the excitement for the holidays is already building up. Though Fall has already begun, it’s still early in the season, and there are still several ways you can prepare your house for what’s to come.

Tips for Avoiding Severe Water Damage in Your Home

Blog posted On September 22, 2021

Cleaning gutters, raking leaves, shoveling snow, and changing furnace filters are all a part of the American Dream. You may not have heard it on commercials or seen it in magazines, but home maintenance is a big part of homeownership. If you’re a new homeowner, you might feel overwhelmed by the new responsibilities. If you’re a seasoned expert, you might just be getting tired of the upkeep. Home maintenance can be a lot to handle. And if you’re thinking of cutting some corners or avoiding some maintenance duties, just make sure that you keep doing the ones that will help prevent water damage.

What to Know About Insurance and Wildfires

Blog posted On September 08, 2021

Over the past several years, the severity and size of wildfires across the U.S. have increased at an alarming rate. In 2020, nearly 40,000 forest fires destroyed 4 million acres of land. In California alone, almost 500,000 homes are located in wildfire zones – as are millions of other homes across the country. But many homeowners are unaware of their risk – leaving them vulnerable for hundreds of thousands of dollars in damage.

What Is a Home Warranty and How Can You Avoid a Rejected Claim?

Blog posted On August 12, 2021

A home warranty covers repairs and replacements on major home appliances and features such as furnaces, HVAC, plumbing systems, and electrical systems. Instead of dipping into your savings or reserve funds for expensive repairs, you can purchase a home warranty for cheaper repair and replacement costs. Home warranties also make it easier for homeowners because they provide repairmen – meaning you don’t need to track down a contractor. For home sellers, providing the option for the buyer to purchase a home warranty can provide some protection against buyer complaints after closing.

Don't Let this Mistake Cost You 30% of Your Home's Value

Blog posted On June 23, 2021

When you sell your home, you ideally want to get the biggest profit possible. Before you list it, you might renovate, hire a professional stager, paint, or do anything else you can to boost its market value. The most common updates are generally cosmetic, but if your home has certain underlying health issues, you will want to address those before making cosmetic touch ups – for your home’s market value and your own safety.

Don’t Make This Common Home Buying Mistake

Blog posted On June 02, 2021

If you’re buying a home, you’re probably focused on the upfront costs: your down payment, interest rate, and purchase price. These costs will dictate how much you pay upfront and how much your monthly mortgage payments will be going forward. To aid your home search, you might create a budget around the estimated monthly mortgage payments you will be able to afford. While this is a good start to your purchase preparation, you won’t want to stop there. Making a home buying budget strictly based on the estimated monthly mortgage payments you can afford might put yourself in a difficult financial position down the road.

How to Groom the Perfect Lawn

Blog posted On April 22, 2021

Curb appeal is one of the top influencers when buying or selling a home. If you have a nice garden, new paint, and a well-groomed yard, your home will likely get more offers than one with poorly kept outdoor features. Even if you aren’t considering selling, you still probably appreciate the looks of a nice green lawn. Luckily, growing the perfect lawn doesn’t require an extensive skill set, just a few extra steps in your daily routine.

7 Simple Ways to Spruce Up Your Home’s Curb Appeal

Blog posted On February 03, 2021

Nothing says “welcome home” like a freshly trimmed front yard and a newly painted front door. Though we all know we can’t judge a book by its cover, when it comes to your home, the front cover matters. According to a study by the Journal of Real Estate Finance, your home’s curb appeal can contribute up to 7% of the overall price. For a $300,000 house, that’s equivalent to $21,000. So, if you’re preparing to sell your home, be sure to touch up its curb appeal with these seven simple strategies.

All Hands on Deck: 6 DIY Projects for You and Your Family Before Winter

Blog posted On October 15, 2020

As we roll into the eighth month of the global pandemic, you may be wondering, how many more games of Monopoly can I play?  From bike rides to hikes, movie nights to game nights — you’ve done everything in your power to keep the family entertained.