With interest rates the lowest they’ve been in a while, you may be thinking about refinancing your existing mortgage into a new one. As a homeowner, there are good reasons to consider this option: to get a lower interest rate, to drop private mortgage insurance, or to pull cash from your home’s equity to consolidate debt or make home improvements. The short answer, of course, is to have more money each month for groceries, car payments and the orthodontic’s bill.

While no one has ever said buying a home is a simple process, wouldn’t it be nice to reach out and press the “easy” button when it comes time to qualify for your mortgage. If you’re an active member of the military -  or a veteran - qualifying for a VA home loan might be the next best thing.

June is National Homeownership Month

    You’re buying your first house! No more fighting over parking spaces, unexpected rent increases or putting up with noisy neighbors. If you’re planning to make a move this year, here are five tips that can set you on a path that leads to your very own front door.  

  Buying a house can leave you feeling overwhelmed and under-informed.  Not only are you spending every waking hour searching for your perfect home,  you also have to think about how you're going to pay for it.  And when choosing a mortgage, it's important to find one that works with your budget now, and also 15- to 30-years down the road as well. Because the world of home financing can be a confusing one, let's take a look at two of the most popular loans in the housing market: Conventional and FHA.

Buying a home that needs some love can be overwhelming. It can also be a smart investment. If you're thinking about buying a fixer-upper, you already know that it's going to take a little elbow grease to make it livable. You probably also know that these types of homes can often be snatched up at bargain prices and in neighborhoods where you want to live. And once it's yours, you can paint, remodel and refresh the property to make it your own. Gourmet kitchen, movie room, home office, party deck  - the possibilities are endless. 

If your mailbox could talk, what would it say? “Hey Susan, here’s more coupons for your favorite Moose Tracks ice cream you can't get enough of, an overdue bill for your monthly $50 gym membership, and two new pre-approved loan offers from financial institutions you never requested.”