The most popular mortgage loan evolved into what is the 30-year amortized loan, which has become one of the primary reasons for increasing the level of homeownership in the United States. Amortizing means some of the principal of the loan amount is paid off each month, allowing homeowners to build equity and avoid a large […]
Financing options when interest rates rise
The 30-year mortgage has been the mainstay of American homebuying for decades. The 30-year mortgage came about as a result of the housing crisis of the 1920s. Back then, a typical mortgage was three to five years with a variable rate, and payments only covered the interest. Often, large down payments were required. The most […]
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 […]
Should I co-sign a mortgage for a relative?
Frequently, first-time homebuyers will turn to relatives to help with a down payment or to cosign on the loan. In Boulder County, the prices of homes have risen steadily, and even more so this year with very low inventory and high buyer and investor demand. Due to this, it has been much more difficult for […]
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 […]
Rising mortgage rates: Lock or not?
To lock or not to lock, that is the home buyer’s choice. Over the last several years we have enjoyed record-low mortgage rates that have, for the most part, been stable. The most recent peak in interest rates was November 2018 with an average reported rate of 4.81% for 30-year loans. Afterwards, the trend moved […]
Removing Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) from your mortgage
PMI is usually required on conventional home loans for which the down payment is less than 20 percent. When one thinks of “mortgage insurance” some will think of a type of life insurance that if you die, the mortgage on your house is paid off for the benefit of the survivors. Private Mortgage Insurance, known […]
Coronavirus and Refinancing Your Home
The coronavirus pandemic has pushed the mortgage rate to historic lows due to investors fleeing to the safety of government securities.. (Photo: Bigstock). The coronavirus pandemic has pushed the mortgage rate to historic lows due to investors fleeing to the safety of government securities. Fixed mortgage rates tend to follow the ups and downs […]