How Homeowners Build Generational Wealth

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Homeownership can be a pathway to building generational wealth — in fact, owning a home is so closely linked to long-term stability that it’s been one of the few...

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4 Signs That It’s Time For a New Roof

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Repairing or replacing your roof can be a big investment.  As a homeowner, it’s natural to want to wait until the time is right to get the most out...

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When You Should (Not) Refinance

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Refinancing is common practice for homeowners, and it’s often a smart financial move. It can lower your payment, reduce your interest rate and more. But when it’s not the...

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What to Know About Property Liens

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For both homebuyers and homeowners, understanding how property liens work is important. In fact, they could impact your ability to buy a specific house or make a home cost...

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Prequalification Versus Preapproval

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When you start researching to buy a home, you’ll see the terms “mortgage prequalification” and “mortgage preapproval” thrown around a lot.  While they sound similar, they aren’t the same...

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Happy Holidays

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Sending best wishes for a happy holiday season. Please get in touch if there’s anything we can do for you.

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Buyer Guide: Starter vs. Forever Homes

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Is there a difference between the right house for your current situation versus your ideal home for life?  There’s usually a big difference for most buyers, and it’s a...

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Using Gift Money for Your Down Payment

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Gift-giving season is upon us — and did you know that you can potentially use gift money to help cover your down payment?  You most certainly can. However, there...

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How does house hacking work?

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There are lots of creative ways to afford a home, but house hacking might be one of the most interesting on paper.  Not only does this investment strategy have...

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HOW DO CONSTRUCTION LOANS WORK?

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Building your home from the ground up can be extremely rewarding. You get to have a lot more control over your property’s design and construction, and starting from scratch...

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4 Property Risks That Can Impact Financing

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When you apply for a mortgage, lenders assess two things: your risk as a borrower and any risks associated with the property. While you can influence the former through...

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5 Telltale Signs of an Overpriced Listing

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Knowing whether the price is right for a property you’re interested in is vital to avoid problems further down the road. It can be easy to miss though, especially...

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Can Homebuyers Save Money By Waiting?

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Mortgage rates have risen since the beginning of the year. As home prices still remain high and economic uncertainty creeps in, you might be considering pausing your home search. ...

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New Home Checklist Before Moving In

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Buying a house can be challenging, but the work doesn’t stop once you sign those closing papers.  As a new homeowner, there are a number of tasks you’ll want...

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Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Demystified

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Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are a hot topic for a reason: Not only can they help borrowers avoid committing to higher interest rates, but initial rates for ARMs have also...

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4 Financial Planning Myths Busted

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There are a lot of myths and misconceptions in the personal finance world, and some of them could hold you back — from saving money and improving your credit...

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3 Ways to Reduce Your Mortgage Costs

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Your mortgage costs aren’t always set in stone.  If you want to reduce your monthly payments or lower your long-term costs, there are several options for you to explore....

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4 Warning Signs of a Bad Neighbor

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Did you know that the majority of Americans dislike their neighbor? A particularly bad neighbor can lower your home’s value, disrupt your quality of life (and sleep), or even...

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5 Equity-Boosting Home Improvements

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Home equity is a powerful tool. You can leverage it to pay for repairs or other personal expenses, or alternatively, it can increase your profits should you ever decide...

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Outsmart These 4 Refinancing Obstacles

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Refinancing your mortgage can lower your interest rate, reduce your monthly payments or provide the funds to pay other debts and expenses. However, application rejection is more common than...

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The Pros and Cons of a 20% Down Payment

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It’s a common misconception that buyers must make a 20% down payment on a home. In reality, the average down payment in 2021 was just 12%. There are several reasons why...

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Your Guide to Spring Home Maintenance

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Proper home maintenance is critical as a homeowner.  Regular maintenance can keep your house in good working order, preserve its curb appeal and save you from unnecessary — and...

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4 Common Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid

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You’ve been preapproved for your mortgage, and you’re just waiting on that magical closing date when you can get your keys and move into your dream house. Nothing can...

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New Colors for Your Next Home Project

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Every year, paint companies, interior designers and other professionals choose a “color of the year.” These hues usually represent the feelings of the moment — or the changes they...

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Tips for Buying a Home on One Income

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You don’t need two incomes to buy a house. It’s becoming quite common (and necessary in some cases) to buy property with a single income these days. Whether you’re...

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Buyer or Owner? How a Refund Can Help

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If you’re lucky, you might be expecting a hefty refund come tax season — but forget the shopping spree. Instead, a tax refund can be an excellent tool for...

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Your Debt-to-Income Ratio Calculation

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Your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio is an important factor when applying for a mortgage or refinance. Not only does it play a role in your ability to qualify, but it...

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Do you want to upgrade your bathroom?

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Upgrading your bathroom can improve your home’s value and, when it comes time to sell, even increase its marketability.  And there’s more good news: You don’t have to spend...

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