home buying: 4 Top Sustainable Home Trends
- 08/17/18 09:40 AM
The emergence of sustainable energy and products have solidified the go-green movement. Solar energy and electric cars are just the tip of the iceberg. The impact of products on the environment has become a significant measure about their value. Those same principles are also being applied to homes. Smart homes and energy efficiency have a direct correlation to home values and listing prices. That's why homeowners and home builders alike have an eye toward sustainable trends. These are some of the top-ranked home trends. 1: Durability Matters After the catastrophic weather that damaged and destroyed homes in Florida and the Gulf states, "resiliency" … (3 comments)
home buying: Myths About Buying A Vacation Home
- 08/17/18 09:33 AM
Are you thinking about buying a vacation home? Maybe owning two homes is part of your retirement dream. Maybe you'd like to have a second home in your favorite holiday locale. If you are thinking about taking this step, you might have talked to family and friends about it. Unfortunately, many people give well-intentioned, yet poor advice when it comes to buying a vacation home. Here are some myths -- and the truth -- about buying a second home straight from leading real estate experts. You Can Buy A Vacation Home With No Money Down You have probably seen advertisements about buying a … (3 comments)
home buying: Surprising Things That Can Derail A Closing
- 07/26/18 11:26 AM
Once you and the seller have negotiated an offer and you've been pre-approved for a mortgage, you might think that you are in the clear as far as your closing goes. However, that is not always the case. Many surprising things can put a halt to closing. Some may ultimately stop the closing altogether while others could simply cause a delay. Here are a few unexpected things that can derail a real estate closing: A Job Promotion While you might know that changing employers is one way to interfere with the closing, another deal-breaker can be switching positions with your current employer. If you … (3 comments)
home buying: What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - July 9th, 2018
- 07/09/18 09:51 AM
Last week's economic releases included monthly readings on construction spending, public and private sector job growth and June's national unemployment rate. Weekly readings included Freddie Mac mortgage rates and new jobless claims. Construction Spending Rises in May According to the Commerce, construction spending rose 0.40 percent in May; public sector construction spending rose 0.70 percent and private sector spending rose by 0.30 percent. Residential construction rose by o.80 percent, which analysts regarded as a good sign for the economy. Building more homes has long been identified as the only solution for persistent housing shortages that cause high demand for homes and rapidly rising … (0 comments)
home buying: 5 Key Factors That Affect Your Mortgage Rate
- 05/01/18 01:48 PM
Many first time home buyers often wonder what factors determine their mortgage rate. Is it their credit score? Is it the type of loan chosen? Is it the size of the loan? The truth is, there are many factors at play. Mortgage interest rates are not standardized across the board, so they vary from lender to lender and from borrower to borrower. Here are 5 common factors that determine or affect your mortgage interest rate: 1. Default Risk Risk is a key consideration when determining mortgage interest rates. Banks and other lenders are in a risky business because there is always a chance of … (2 comments)
home buying: Why Mortgage Pre-Approval Should Be The First Step When Buying a New Home
- 12/05/17 11:00 AM
Are you thinking about buying a new house, condo or apartment? Whether you are upgrading, downsizing or investing, if you intend on borrowing the funds you'll need to be pre-approved for a mortgage. In today's blog post we'll explore mortgage pre-approval and why this should be one of your first steps in buying a new home. Pre-Approval Helps To Determine Your Budget Do you know your budget? Mortgage lenders consider many factors when deciding how much they are willing to lend to a home buyer. While your employment status, salary, assets and credit rating are important, they are all pieces of a larger puzzle … (4 comments)
home buying: Man Vs. Machine: Why Using a Human Mortgage Professional Is Better Than Trusting an App
- 12/05/17 10:55 AM
Are you currently house-hunting or plan to be in the near future? If you plan on using mortgage financing to pay for your home, you will soon discover that there's no shortage of options available to you. You can meet with a local mortgage professional, apply for mortgages online and even download mobile apps that promise to set you up with a mortgage. However, is every option equal? Let's explore why, in the epic battle of man versus machine, you will want to place your trust in a human mortgage professional. Human Mortgage Professionals Have Local Experience The first and most important reason you … (7 comments)
home buying: 3 Key Flaws to Watch Out For in an Older Home
- 12/05/17 10:42 AM
Are you a fan of homes with a bit more character than newer, modern designs? Whether in pristine condition or more of a "fixer upper," older homes are incredibly popular in cities across the country. However, there are some key factors to consider if you're thinking about buying a home built decades ago before modern standards were enforced. Old Electrical Designs Can Be A Significant Fire Hazard No matter when a home was built, it's almost guaranteed to have electrical wiring running through walls to supply rooms with lighting and power outlets. However, if the wiring was run in decades past it … (4 comments)
home buying: Make 2018 the Year You Escape the 'Rental Trap'
- 12/01/17 09:18 AM
Are you growing tired of paying rent each month and not building your net worth? Being stuck in the 'rental trap' isn't much fun, but if you are determined, you can break out. Let's explore some of the steps that you can take to make 2018 the year that you become a homeowner. Rent Money Is Lost Money First – why homeownership? As you may already understand, money spent on rent is 'lost' money. Each month you pay your rent, but you do not build any equity, own any property or get any other benefits in return. When you own a house, the … (1 comments)
home buying: 4 Mistakes Made by First-time Home Sellers And How To Avoid Them
- 01/12/17 12:22 PM
Many factors go into selling a home for the first time. Some can make it a stressful process, and there are a few things you should avoid for a successful sale. If you're putting your home on the market and hoping for quick success, here are some common mistakes you'll want to be sure to bypass. Pricing Your Home Too High It's entirely likely that there's an amount you have in mind when it comes to selling your home. But it's important that your asking price is in line with the market conditions and what's being offered. Instead of winging it, check … (3 comments)
home buying: Credit 101: Improving Your Score
- 09/28/16 02:51 AM
If you're worried about your bad credit, you'll want to do everything in your power to improve your rating as quickly as possible - especially if you are looking to purchase a home in the near future. Furthermore, improving your credit rating can give you access to better interest rates on mortgages or even help you get that job you're after. IMPORTANT! If you are currently involved in a home loan transaction, speak with your trusted mortgage lender before taking any action regarding your credit! So how can you boost your FICO score quickly and easily? Here's what you need to know. Get Your … (9 comments)
home buying: Understanding Your Credit Score And How It Impacts Your Home Ownership Prospects
- 06/11/14 12:56 AM
Your credit score is an important part of your financial profile. It has a direct impact on your ability to take out loans. The score itself is a numerical reflection of your credit history. It gives lenders a way to discern your reliability before approving a loan such as a mortgage. Though this is the basic function of a credit score, it can also have a far-reaching influence over other aspects of home ownership.
Mortgage Loan Approval: Will Your Score Make the Cut? First and foremost, the status of your credit score is a deciding factor in whether or not … (0 comments)
home buying: 6 Tips For Buying An Older Colorado Home
- 02/04/13 11:42 PM
Older Colorado Springs homes sometimes offer more charm and character than the newer houses of today. They boast gabled roofs, crown moldings, hardwood floors and antique fixtures. Buying an old house is like buying a piece of local history. Its beautiful period features can give it a timeless beauty and grace that is hard to resist. However, buying a house from another era can be an endeavor fraught with potential problems. Older houses are not necessarily built to the same electrical or plumbing standards of today. Plus, if they have not been maintained correctly through the years, they can turn into … (0 comments)
home buying: Four Quick Tips To Buying Your Next Colorado Home
- 02/02/13 04:05 AM
Buying a home doesn't have to be stressful! Here are four quick tips to make the process stress free! 1. Find a reputable, experienced real estate pro. Today's Realtor will not only help you find a home, but also guide you correctly through the whole buying process. 2. Understand the process. Research as much as possible and know what to expect from beginning to end. 3. Know how much you can afford - Eliminate surprises by establishing a budget. 4. Don't wait to buy real estate.... buy real estate and wait. Real estate is a long-term investment so take your time … (2 comments)
NMLS ID: 247026
Colorado Mortgage License: 100019059
Benchmark Mortgage, Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC NMLS ID 2143. Equal Housing Opportunity. This advertisement is for general information purposes only. Some products may not be available in all licensed locations. Information, rates, and pricing are subject to change without prior notice at the sole discretion of Ark-La-Tex Financial Services, LLC. All loan programs subject to borrowers meeting appropriate underwriting conditions. This is not a commitment to lend. Other restrictions may apply. Colorado Mortgage Company Registrant – Regulated by The Division of Real Estate #2143
The emergence of sustainable energy and products have solidified the go-green movement. Solar energy and electric cars are just the tip of the iceberg.
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