6 Good Reasons to Refinance Your Mortgage
Getting a lower rate is the most common reason people refinance their mortgage. But there are others. Here are a few of them starting with the most common: 1. Lower interest rate and/or payment Refinancing to a lower interest rate will save you money on your monthly...
6 Poor Reasons to Refinance a Mortgage
Mortgage rates are low...but that doesn't mean refinancing is a good idea right now. Before you get too far down the path of a refinance you should really think about why you are refinancing. A refinance can help you meet some financial goals such as improving cash...
Purchasing a second or vacation home
There are benefits to purchasing a vacation home or a second home. A vacation home is fun to visit on weekends, holidays or in the summer. Maybe you want to live in the home when you retire or pass it on to your children. Owning a second home can have tax write-offs,...
First-Time Home Buyer Programs
Both the federal and Oregon state governments offer a variety of loan programs in an effort to simplify the entire mortgage application process for first-time homebuyers. Depending on your income, down payment amount and other typical factors, there is likely a...
All about appraisals
A home appraisal is an important part of any home real estate transaction. Whether you’re buying a home, refinancing your existing mortgage, or selling your home, you’ll want to understand how the appraisal process works and how an appraiser determines a home’s...
De-bunking Mortgage Myths
Getting a mortgage can seem like a confusing process. This is especially true if you've never done it before. It doesn't help that there is a fair amount of incorrect and outdated information available online. Here is a video debunking some of those mortgage myths....
Existing homes sales are on the decline. That makes it a great time to sell.
Existing homes sale numbers fell .4% this month leading many to believe we are on a down swing. I think it is just a small dip and we will see an increase next month. More importantly if you are thinking of selling your house this would be a great time to do it. With...
The difference between a mortgage broker and a big bank
People ask me all the time: what is the difference between a mortgage broker and a big bank? This video pretty much sums it up!
Interest rates rise like a rocket and fall like a feather
It is a very interesting time in the bond market. The bond market typically has a huge impact on interest rates. The 10 and 30 year treasury bond is a measuring stick for investors and those in the mortgage business. They us it to gauge where the fixed interests rates...
Know Before You Owe
The pre-crash borrowers from early 2000 to 2008 made purchases with good faith numbers that included the APR, closing fees, pre-paids, and and any points associated with the loan. However, most still felt they did not fully understand the fees and loan terms. This is...