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In today's challenging real estate market, prospective homebuyers face stiff competition and rising costs. However, there are creative ways to navigate these hurdles and secure your dream home, second home, or investment property. Here are nine strategies to consider that can make a significant difference in your home-buying journey.
Contemplating a shift from renting to owning your home? This decision, likely one of the largest you'll make in life, requires careful consideration of your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. From evaluating the pros and cons of homeownership to understanding the financial implications, it's crucial to ask the right questions to illuminate your path forward.
When you embark on the search for a new home, you may think you know the steps to take: Read the listings, visit some open houses, sign on with a Realtor, make an offer. In fact, there’s a biggie missing from that list — a step as important financially as the house you decide to buy itself: Get a mortgage.
So, you’re ready to buy your first home. Congratulations! For many people, taking this step is one of the biggest financial moves they will make in their entire lives. Because of that — and because it’s a lot more complicated than, say, buying a plane ticket or even something else you’d need to finance (like a car) — you’re going to want to tread carefully.
As winter approaches, there are some things you can do on the inside and outside of your home to protect your investment, save money, and keep your family comfortable. Best of all, these ten tips are quick and easy to complete on your own or with a professional.
Your down payment for a home loan can be saved in many different ways. There will be easy ways and difficult ways. Some ways will require sacrifices, while others will take time. If you're committed to owning a home one day, these small sacrifices will be well worth it. The following are some ways you can begin saving for your down payment on a home today.
It has been a long winter. There is no better time to clean up your house than right now, before the summer arrives and you are going off on some much-needed adventures. Here are a few tips you can use to keep your house and property in great shape. It's time for some springtime home maintenance!
Owning your own home can be an excellent investment. It can also be financially draining if you aren’t regularly maintaining your home. Regular maintenance can take time, planning, and money, but it can help you to save on unexpected repair costs and keep the value of your home up. Below, we share some of our tips for becoming a financially responsible homeowner.
Many members who close on a home mortgage with us wonder about mortgage points and whether you really save more in the long run by purchasing mortgage points upfront. If you’re new to the home-buying process, you may even be wondering what mortgage points are. Rivermark is here to help. We’ll explain everything you need to know about mortgage points and help you determine if they’re worth paying for.
When you make a mortgage payment, you’re essentially making a payment that gets divided between the two basic components of the loan: principal and interest.
There is a lot to know (or learn about) when you’re a first-time homeowner. Such as scheduling mortgage payments and putting together an attractive yet functional curb appeal. But there’s more. As new parts of this experience emerge, there are a handful of things that you should be prepared for. Here are five facts about being a first-time homeowner that you should take into consideration.
If you own a home and have been paying it off for a while, you probably have acquired some home equity. If you’re unfamiliar with what home equity is, it’s simply the difference between your home’s value and the outstanding balance on your mortgage. The resulting number can be used for a variety of things when you get a home equity loan.
Since we always want you to feel comfortable asking questions about home loans and the costs you’ll need to be aware of when buying your house, we put together this blog post to help you answer some of the questions you might be asking.
If you are new to buying a home, learning the nuances of mortgages can be daunting. At Rivermark, we aspire to help inform those making major financial choices, so we’d like to answer a very common question: should you choose a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage?
When it comes to debt or large expenses, there are a lot of options. If you own your home, you may be able to utilize the equity in your home to access funds. Knowing the difference between a Home Equity Line of Credit and a Home Equity Loan can play an important role in making a good financial decision.
With housing values on the rise in many areas, you may be thinking about selling or updating your own property. Whether you're planning on entering the real estate market or you simply want to make your personal space more functional and enjoyable for you, here are some things you can do to improve the value of your home.
Looking to add some power to your family finances? The equity in your home could be the answer. Opening an equity line of credit gives you an instant emergency fund as well as access to money for remodels, family vacations, college educations, and any other expenses that could otherwise break your budget. Here are a few ways to put your equity to good use in the new year.
Do you dream of owning your own home, but the thought of meeting with a lender frightens you? Perhaps you are afraid of being turned down, yet again, for a mortgage loan. Or maybe you are overwhelmed with the application process itself? After all, applying for a mortgage can often be complicated and frustrating. But it doesn’t have to be. If you fear you will never realize your dream of homeownership, we have some tips that may help you take the next step to make it a reality.
There are a lot of unfamiliar terms that get tossed around during the home buying process. But don't worry, we've put together this mortgage glossary to help you get a better grasp of any terms that may be less than clear.
The summer and fall months are a great time to get some home improvement projects and remodels finished. But for most of us, money and time are both factors in deciding what to do and how to get it done. We’ve put together some projects you can do on a tight budget and timeline.
The world would be a simpler place if the only expense you had were your mortgage or housing expenses. But life isn’t free or that simple — especially when you own a home. That’s why we’ve compiled 10 expenses you’ll likely have beyond what you owe on your home loan.
A home is the most expensive purchase you’ll likely ever make. New home buyers have a lot to learn and, unfortunately, there is a lot of misinformation out there. Before making the leap, make sure you are educated on these common myths.
When it comes to debt or large expenses, there are a lot of options. If you own your home, you may be able to utilize a low-interest Home Equity Loan or a Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC). These can be better alternatives to high-interest credit cards or other loans as the rates are often lower and terms more flexible. Today we’re going to cover each type of loan, including their risks and benefits.
The current housing market might make it easier to sell a house in most neighborhoods, but there are still ways to expedite the sale of your home. Give these tips a try, and most experts agree you’ll have an easier time making a sale.
If you already own your own home, then it is possible to refinance that home at any time. In fact, refinancing your home could save you money overall. However, it’s important to weigh the costs with the benefits before starting your application. Here’s what you need to know.
Every homeowner wishes to change things after some time. The big question is where to start. It seems that once a small project begins, a bigger project quickly takes shape, and this can create a problem with any budget. By taking the time to research your project, you can find creative ways to stretch the remodeling budget and end up with the home you want.
Buying a home is the American dream. While it’s obvious that buying a house takes money, some of the lesser-known costs can really add up quick, catching some potential homeowners off guard. Here’s a list of those possible costs as you save toward your dream home.
If you are in the market for your next home, you may find yourself facing a dilemma – sell first and then buy, or buy first and then sell? While this can be a stressful, rest assured that investing in real estate can be a great way to build wealth. When you’re considering purchasing that second home, here are just a few tips to take into consideration before you go house shopping.
There comes a time when you want to settle down and have a place you can call your own. A place where there are no landlords, no property management companies and no one to tell you “no.” Your first home is all these things and more, but before you make this investment, you’ll want to familiarize yourself with the costs and the process.