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Posts about Home & Mortgage (3)

couple-holding-keys-in-their-new-home

Can I Get Approved for a Mortgage with Student Loan Debt?

By: Holly Love 04.01.22 4 minute read Home & Mortgage Education

Getting approved for a mortgage when you have college debt can be complicated – but having student loans does not mean an automatic denial. Nearly 46 million Americans have student loan debt as of 2022, and many of those holding loans are looking to be homeowners soon. If you owe a student loan debt or are planning to buy a home in the future with someone who owes, don't fret! Owning a home is not out of the question. Knowing how mortgage approvals are determined and what to expect will help you on your way to homeownership.

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couple-moving-into-their-new-home

Buying a Home with an FHA Loan

By: American Heritage 02.03.22 3 minute read Home & Mortgage

If you have limited savings or less-than-perfect credit, the dream of owning your own home may feel out of reach. You’re not alone, but don’t think you’re out of luck either. FHA loans are designed to help people with these challenges achieve the goal of homeownership by providing a mortgage that may work with their financial situation.

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couple-sitting-in-house-painting

Home Upkeep: 4 Ways to Keep Your Costs Down

By: American Heritage 01.20.22 4 minute read Home & Mortgage

Your home is your castle—and castle upkeep can be expensive. But with a little know-how and effort, you can enjoy your home without emptying your wallet. Using less energy, decorating on a budget, taking care of small problems before they become big ones, and doing basic home renovations and repairs yourself can help you keep your home costs down. Sound good? Then this guide is for you.

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A man cuts the hedges with shears

6 Easy Ways to Boost Your Home's Curb Appeal

By: American Heritage 06.10.21 3 minute read Home & Mortgage

As a homeowner, you know that taking care of your house is the best way to maintain its value. But even a house that’s in good working order can look drab or uninviting from the outside. If you’re planning to sell in the near future, that could affect your home’s selling price. That’s why many real estate agents put a big emphasis on curb appeal.

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Loans & Borrowing: 10 Terms You Should Know

By: American Heritage 09.17.20 3 minute read Home & Mortgage Credit

Whether you’re managing your day-to-day finances or preparing for the future, loans and credit cards may be an important financial tool to support your personal goals. The process of comparing your financing options and choosing the right one can sometimes feel overwhelming—especially with all the financial jargon and concepts associated with loans and borrowing. Fortunately, many of these concepts are less complicated than they seem. Here’s a quick overview of some of the most important borrowing terms you should know. Learn them now, so you can make smarter borrowing decisions later.

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Saving More on Commission

Save More on Commission When Selling Your Home

By: Holly Love 08.06.20 Home & Mortgage

When selling your home, you want the process to go as smoothly as possible with the help of a trusted team to guide you. Naturally, you’ll want to get the most value for your property, too, for future investments or home purchases. Like purchasing a home, selling your home will include various fees. Most sales are completed with the assistance of a real estate agent or broker. These agents make their money by earning commission on each sale and only get paid once a home has sold. This commission is paid by the seller during closing. Also known as the broker fee, the commission covers the work that the agent does during the selling process, such as marketing the home, negotiating with potential buyers, attending inspections and appraisals, closing the sale, and more. In recent years, the average commission has remained between 5-6% and is typically split between the buyer’s agent and the seller’s agent for their various services. In order to maximize your profits when selling, then, avoid paying too much for these fees. For an idea of how much you can save, check out the following chart:

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A Couple looking into Refinancing their home

Should You Refinance Your Home? Consider These 4 Factors.

By: American Heritage 05.07.20 3 minute read Home & Mortgage

Right now, you’re probably looking for ways to boost your financial security, such as by lowering your bills or building up your savings. You’re not alone. Many homeowners are doing exactly that by refinancing their home to take advantage of today’s low mortgage rates. To see if refinancing is right for you, it’s important to understand why people choose to refinance and what makes someone a good candidate for a refinance mortgage. Ask yourself the following questions:

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Couple preparing for their next move

Preparing for Your Next Home

By: Holly Love 03.19.20 3 minute read Home & Mortgage

Buying and selling a home at the same time can make things complicated. Many variables must work together to create a seamless transaction and it takes a dedicated team to make this happen. You’ve identified your pain points with your current home and are ready to move on to the next phase of homeownership. Before you can buy, however, you have a home of your own to sell.

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renovating your home with a HELOC

5 Best Ways to Use the Equity in Your Home

By: American Heritage 03.05.20 3 minute read Home & Mortgage

Sometimes, big plans come with a big price tag. Tapping the equity in your home can provide the funds you want, but is this always the smartest way to pay? It all depends on your goals. Today we’re looking at some of the best ways that homeowners put their home equity to work. But before we look at these examples, let’s start with the basics:

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