6 Reasons it Pays to Shop Around Before Choosing a Mortgage

Becoming savvy about the Mortgage lending process is just as critical as becoming savvy about home value and housing trends when it comes to ensuring you are getting as much house possible for your dollar. However, understanding the mortgage process and mortgage rates is an area where most people feels completely uneducated. The following article is a great launch point for understanding the basics of the lending process - and how to make sure you are getting a good deal.

School Performance Can Increase Home Values, Buyer Interest

Across the country, school is back in session. This should bring to mind that the quality of the education of your local public school system has plenty to do with the attractiveness of your single family home to potential buyers. Those who are looking to buy your home are looking for a good deal, but not at the expense of their children's school environment. Consider the following while assessing your home's value:

Beware the Last Minute Credit Check

If you've been approved for a mortgage and you’ve found the home of your dreams, you might think it’s time to celebrate. We’re all for it, but beware of how you do so:  applying for more credit or a large appliance could put your whole deal in jeopardy.

In an effort to cut down on fraud and the sloppy underwriting that led to the subprime mortgage meltdown, this past June, mortgage giant Fannie Mae launched a “loan quality initiative” that requires lenders to get credit reports for each mortgage transaction at two different times, as well as additional verification. Your lender wants to see if you've obtained — or even shopped for — new credit. If you have, it could affect your rate or undo the whole deal. The lender might decide that the additional debt means you can’t afford the payments.

Waiting For Lower Home Prices Can Actually Cost You More

Boosting Your Home's Value For Sale - On The Cheap!

When selling your home, the object of the game is to increase the market value as much as possible while expending the least amount possible in upgrades and improvements. Lucky for all of us, the "less is more" concept is a good rule of thumb: Redesigning the master bath in Grecian marble is a bad idea, repainting and adding a few new fixtures is a good idea. But many homeowners don't know where to put their focus on these little improvements, so where should one put the smartest upgrades that will result in the biggest possible payoff? Here is an article we found that will give you a a clear view on this important subject.