Lori Blank & Associates

30

Jul

Home Mortgage Tips

Can One Missed Mortgage Payment Affect Your Credit Rating? Yes! Here’s What to Do if You Miss One

Most people don't know whether or not a single missed mortgage payment can have serious consequences for their credit score. The good news is that there are things that can be done to mitigate the damage and help anyone who has missed a payment repair their credit. What are some options to help homeowners get back in the good graces of their creditors? Own Up To The Mistake The best thing to do is to admit that the payment was missed and immediately make amends for it. For the most part, mortgage lenders are sympathetic to the fact that people…

29

Jul

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

Three Ways That Your Credit Score Affects Your Mortgage (and Your Chance of Obtaining One!)

If you're thinking of buying a home, you've probably been thinking a lot about your credit score as well. Credit scores control so much of what we do in the world of finances, but what does your credit score really have to do with your mortgage? Here are three ways that your credit score could impact your mortgage application. Your Credit Score Affects Your Ability To Get A Mortgage The first thing your credit score tells a lender is whether they should lend to you at all. In some cases, if you have a very low credit score, you may…

28

Jul

By Lori Blank

Market Outlook

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 28, 2014

Last week's economic news brought several housing-related reports, which indicated varying results in terms of gauging the economic recovery. FHFA reported slower growth of home prices associated with Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac mortgages, but sales of existing homes as reported by the National Association of REALTORS® surpassed expectations and May's reading. Sales of new homes slumped to their lowest level in three months. Weekly jobless claims were lower than expected and also lower than for the prior week. FHFA Home Prices Grow at Slower Rate, Existing Home Sales Higher than Expected The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) reported that…

25

Jul

By Lori Blank

Home Mortgage Tips

Nearing Retirement? Three Reasons Why You Might Consider a ‘Reverse Mortgage’

If you are nearing retirement, a reverse mortgage might be right for you. This type of mortgage essentially allows you to turn your home equity into cash. If you find yourself with little money, a reverse mortgage could be the perfect solution, and here's why. No Worries About Monthly Payments After taking on a mortgage, there are many costs that you have to worry about. One of these problems is mortgage insurance premiums. Add interest and fees from lender service providers to the mix, and you've got yourself many costs. All of these fees can create tremendous headaches, as a…

24

Jul

By Lori Blank

Mortagage Tips

Small Business Owner? Here’s What You Need To Know About Mortgages

If you are an entrepreneur or a small business owner, you probably know that there are a lot of advantages to this lifestyle – the freedom, the exciting challenges, the opportunities and the ability to make a living doing what you love. However, you also know that being a small business owner can make some things more challenging – such as apply for a mortgage for your home. Many small business owners find it tough to get approved for a mortgage, because their income can be erratic and the banks want to see proof of consistent earnings over a significant…

23

Jul

By Lori Blank

Real Estate

National Association of REALTORS Existing Home Sales Exceed Projections

According to the National Association of REALTORS®, existing home sales surpassed both May sales and expectations for June. Sales of previously owned homes increased by 2.60 percent in June and reached a seasonally adjusted annual level of 5.04 million sales. June's reading was the third consecutive monthly increase in sales of existing homes and was the highest reading for existing home sales in eight months. Existing home sales remain 2.30 percent below the June 2013 reading of 5.16 million sales of existing homes. Analysts projected sales of 5 million existing homes for June against May's initial reading of 4.89 million…

22

Jul

By Lori Blank

Home Mortgage Tips

Understanding the ‘Qualified Mortgage’ or QM and Why It’s Important to New Home Buyers

Are you shopping for a home or a new mortgage? If you are interested in finding the best possible financial product, it is important to consider the benefits of selecting a Qualified Mortgage. With so many different types of loan products to choose from and financial terms to learn, schooling yourself on the mortgage market before you buy your first home or apply for your first refinance mortgage may seem like a daunting task. Luckily, there are resources that are designed to help you learn the basics of products and terms so that all consumers have the power to inform…

21

Jul

By Lori Blank

Market Outlook

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 21, 2014

Last week's economic news offered a variety of indications that the economic recovery continues, but some readings missed their expected levels. The Philadelphia and New York branches of the Federal Reserve Bank reported higher than anticipated manufacturing for their respective regions and new jobless claims were lower than expected. Fed Chair's Senate Testimony Hints at Coming Interest Rate Hike Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen testified that the Fed might have to raise interest rates sooner than expected if the economy continues to outperform the Fed's projections. Ms. Yellen said that the central bank presently estimates that the first rate increases…

18

Jul

By Lori Blank

Around The Home

A Quick Guide to Assessing Your Home’s Foundation for Cracks – And What to Do if You Find Them

When purchasing a home, there are a number of considerations that need to be taken into account. One of those considerations is the foundation of the home. No matter how perfect or suitable a property looks, taking the time to properly inspect the property for foundation problems can save homeowners thousands of dollars in repairs later on. While foundation cracks are usually present in older homes, that does not mean that newer and even brand new homes aren't prone to them. When choosing a property, the following tips can help homebuyers find signs of foundation problems and take the right…

17

Jul

By Lori Blank

Home Buyer Tips

The ‘Must Have’ List: Why Deciding Your Must-Haves Before Viewing Homes is a Great Idea

Knowing what you want before you start looking is a big help when house-hunting. Giving the list of 'must-have' items to your real estate professional a few days before you begin touring listings is a great idea because they can find homes that meet as many of your criteria as possible. It also helps on a more personal level, since being organized and knowing what you want will help you quickly identify whether or not homes meet those standards. Is it a 'Must-Have' or a 'Nice-to-Have'? The debate between "I need it" and "I want it" is as old as…