What is a 2-1 Temporary Rate Buydown, …and is it worth it? As mortgage rates hit 6.25% and above, home buyers are increasingly interested in options that can help reduce their initial mortgage payments. The belief here is that rates will decline enough in the near future so that a refinance to a lower permanent rate makes sense. The most popular way to temporarily reduce the current market...

Can I keep my house – what are my options? During the time of separation or divorce, there are many questions you might be asking with regard to your current home and credit. Let’s explore some of the more common ones. If I am the one to receive the home in the settlement, can I afford to maintain my home and mortgage? The answer to this question will take some thought and planning....

ZERO DOWN… Yes, it’s true! For many New Jersey First-Time Home Buyers, homeownership just became a bit easier – and more affordable – thanks to a special 0% down payment home loan offered by American United Mortgage Corporation. As part of our commitment to community reinvestment (CRA), American United is offering this loan to qualified buyers that purchase a home located within the following...

It’s early Saturday morning and Tom and Susan are celebrating. You see, their real estate agent just called to let them know that the seller accepted their offer. Tom and Susan were finally about to become homeowners. Their realtor indicated that the seller decided to accept their offer over similar offers simply because they were pre-approved for a loan. Tom and Susan thanked their agent...

Buying a home can be an exciting and rewarding experience.  However, the road to homeownership is often filled with roadblocks that can prevent you from reaching your goal. Here are 3 tips to help you navigate the home buying process successfully; Tip 1:  Become a “cash” buyer to the seller Home sellers (and realtors) have been burned too often by accepting offers from home buyers...

If you’re planning a spring renovation project and wondering how to cover the cost, consider the advantages of refinancing with a FNMA HomeStyle® Renovation loan. What is the FNMA HomeStyle® Renovation Loan? This Conventional home loan allows homeowners to refinance their existing home, or purchase a new home, and include the necessary funds for renovation in the balance of the new loan....

Financing for Real Estate Investors Property flipping is at its highest level since 2007, which is not surprising. Rising home values along with an abundance of older homes in need of upgrades is helping flippers locate, renovate and sell properties to home buyers at a rapid pace. And while buying, fixing and quickly reselling properties can be lucrative, it does take a great deal of capital...

When you set out to buy real estate, in addition to the funds needed to cover the minimum required down payment, you will also need to set aside funds to cover closing costs. Items such as; Title insurance Survey Searches Your Attorney Fee Tax & Insurance escrow deposits Appraisal, flood search, etc. That could amount to 2-3% or more of the purchase price, depending on the property tax. ...

The Balancing Act of Buying & Selling your Home at the Same Time When you are in the market for a new home, you may find yourself in the situation where you are both buying a new home and selling your existing home at the same time. To some, this task can be overwhelming …and at times, risky. Here are some important tips and facts that we’ve gathered along the way to help you get started...

Wedding planners will tell you, to have a successful wedding it’s important to begin the planning process months in advance of your special day. Preparing for the next phase of your life together – Homeownership – is not much different. In fact, home buying experts suggest that in order to have a successful home purchase would-be homebuyers should begin the home qualifying process at least...

 2 Little-Known Credit Score Killers….to avoid! Having a high credit score can save you a great deal of money when it comes to interest on things like mortgage loans, auto loans, lines of credit, …and even insurance premiums. Many consumers are aware of the common factors that drive a credit score, such as; Payment History Amount of Debt Credit Inquiries Length of credit history Recent...

  Home buyers often look for homes that have been upgraded. Realtors prefer to show their clients properties that have good curb appeal.  This combination often leads to multiple offers on the same home – aka “bidding wars”. In today’s competitive real estate market, bidding wars often bring the final price to well above the asking price. As an alternative, avoid bidding on the same...

Hybrid Mortgages Gain Again in Popularity As mortgage rates continue to climb, many home buyers and homeowners are looking for alternative ways to keep their interest payments as low as possible. Re-enter the Hybrid Mortgage – a fixed/ adjustable rate combination loan that was popular last time interest rates were north of 5%, …and now making a comeback. What exactly is a Hybrid Mortgage? A...

For families in transition, divorce often leaves one of the former spouses seeking a new place to live. It may also mean the task of buying-out their ex-spouse’s interest if they would like to remain in their current home and that home is jointly owned. If you find yourself unemployed or underemployed but receive alimony, you can use the alimony to qualify for a mortgage. The requirements set...

Today’s housing market is a challenging one, with low inventory, higher prices, and lots of competition. This combination has more homeowners considering a home remodel instead of a move. Here are three common ways to finance your next home remodel;   Home Equity Line of Credit – A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is essentially a credit line against the equity in your home that you...