Private Mortgage Insurance is usually required on conventional home loans in cases when the down payment is less than 20%. “Mortgage insurance” might sound like a type of life insurance that pays off the mortgage on your home for the benefit of the survivors in the event you pass away. However, Private Mortgage Insurance, known […]
You can’t outsave the market: the lowdown on low down payments
First-time home buyers frequently face the challenge of saving for a large enough down payment for their first home purchase. (Photo: Pexels). First-time home buyers frequently face the challenge of saving for a large enough down payment for their first home purchase. Home price appreciation rates along the Front Range often exceed 10% a year, […]
Gift of a lifetime for first-time home buyers – Part 2
An exceptional gift idea is helping your relative or loved one with an interest rate or mortgage buydown. (Photo: Pexels). The holiday season is upon us and you may be thinking about finding a special or unique gift your family member or loved one could use for years to come. In my previous article […]
Buying a multi-unit with owner-occupied FHA Financing
With the right planning, buying a multi-unit and living in one of the units could be a great way to start your real estate investment portfolio. (Photo: Pexels). When most people think of buying a home, condos, townhouses, or single-family houses usually come to mind. It is very rare that you might think of buying […]
Buying or refinancing your home with an interest-only loan
Another tool to help buyers in an accelerating market is the interest-only mortgage. (Photo: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels). The 30-year fully amortized loan has been the mainstay of real estate financing in the U.S. for decades, yet market conditions often bring about different types of mortgages to help buyers get into a home. At one time, there […]
Wondering if you’re too old to buy a home?
There are certainly few things in life we’re too old to do. However, when it comes to buying a home, you’re never too old. Many baby boomers never bought a home in their younger years and some baby boomers lost their home in the 2007 to 2012 recession. Baby boomers were born between 1944 and […]
Selling or buying a home with solar
Today, most of the solar panels you see are photovoltaic (PV), which produce electricity for the home or provide power back to the grid. In the 1980s, there was a significant 70% Federal tax credit available if you added solar panels to your home. At the time, we saw solar panels on rooftops popping up […]
Financing options for renovation or fix-and-flip
Springtime has arrived and people are thinking about major renovations, repairs, or restorations on their home or even purchasing a home for fix-and-flip. Springtime has arrived and people are thinking about major renovations, repairs, or restorations on their home – or even purchasing a home for fix-and-flip. Here are a few options to consider […]
Homebuyers gain purchasing power with higher loan limits
It is very tough to “outsave” an appreciating real estate market. As 2021 begins, today’s homebuyers are frustrated with the scarce inventory of homes to choose from across all price ranges. Shrinking inventory has put upward pressure on home prices across the country. In fact, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) determined that the average […]
Owner financing in real estate
Owner financing is an alternative to a using a mortgage lender or bank. (Photo: Pexels). Owner financing is an alternative to a using a mortgage lender or bank. Also known as seller financing, owner financing is when a real estate owner has enough equity to loan all or part of the money for a buyer’s […]