Tag Archives: featured

Is It Better to Refinance or Get a Home Equity Loan?

Your home is not just your castle. It can be a cash source for home renovations, repairs, college tuition, or an emergency fund. The equity you have built up can be tapped through a mortgage refinance or a home equity loan. What’s the difference and which is better for you? These refinance and home equity… Read More »

How Long Does It Take to Refinance a House?

Refinancing your house means you are getting a new home loan, so it can take some time. In many situations, refinancing a home takes 30 to 45 days. But the exact time to sit down at the closing table depends on many factors, and some of them you do not control. You might be able… Read More »

Florida First Time Home Buyer Guide

Over the past decade, Florida has expanded by more than 2.6 million people, the second-highest numerical population increase in the country, behind only Texas. So it shouldn’t come as a surprise that the state’s housing market is also expanding and values are rising. The coronavirus pandemic has put a damper on housing markets across the… Read More »

Alabama First Time Home Buyer Guide

While Alabama isn’t among the biggest U.S. states, it is one of the states in its region that’s added the highest number of residents over the past decade. In fact, Alabama ranks in the middle among all Southern states when it comes to population increase since 2010. The state’s population growth has a knock-on effect… Read More »

Nevada First Time Home Buyer Guide

Nevada is one of the fastest-growing U.S. states, both according to the total number of new residents since 2010 and the percentage growth rate resulting from the hundreds of thousands of new Nevadans. All that growth has made the Nevada housing market one of the most exciting in the country. Like the rest of the… Read More »

What Credit Score Do You Need to Refinance a Mortgage?

Mortgage refinance rates at the end of 2020 are approximately 2.5%, so many homeowners are tempted to refinance. But if you want to take advantage of these record-low interest rates, you’ll need to get your finances in order, especially when it comes to your credit score. Different lenders and programs require various credit scores to… Read More »

California First Time Home Buyer Guide

California has long been one of the most expensive housing markets in the country, and it’s no wonder why. It’s the state with the highest population, and it’s growing. In fact, the state has added more than 2 million residents over the past decade, with the population climbing by more than 8% in that time.… Read More »

Texas First Time Home Buyer Guide

Like the rest of the country, the housing market in Texas has experienced a roller-coaster ride in 2020 because of the coronavirus pandemic. But with the population in Texas continuing to climb (the state added the highest number of people over the past 10 years), all signs point to purchasing a new home in the… Read More »

When’s the Best Time to Refinance Your Home?

When mortgage rates plunge, many homeowners decide to refinance their home loans. While refinancing activity rose in 2020 with lower interest rates, it may not always be the best time to refinance. Knowing when you should refinance in your specific situation is critical. This article will tell you what you need to know about mortgage… Read More »

Most and Least Affordable Places to Buy a Home

Published on August 20th, 2020 by Refiguide.org. Reviewed by Peter G. Miller The Coronavirus pandemic has upended the real estate market so far in unexpected and varied ways. Record low mortgage interest rates combined with people spending most of their time at home has caused a boom in home buying in many housing markets despite… Read More »

Will COVID-19 Push Mortgage Rates Even Lower?

At the very same time we have the COVID-19 pandemic we also have historically-low mortgage rates. Has the virus caused the interest levels we’re seeing today, rates in the 2% range for many borrowers? Freddie Mac reported that for the week of August 6th the typical 30-year mortgage was priced at 2.88%, the lowest rate… Read More »

COVID-19: Can You Still Get FHA Mortgages?

COVID-19 is here and yet the FHA mortgage program just keeps chugging along. It allows borrowers to buy real estate with as little as 3.5% down and it’s been the go-to mortgage option for first-time buyers for decades. More than 40 million FHA-backed mortgages have originated since the program started in the 1930s. But now… Read More »

Most Affordable Rental Markets in America for 2020

Most financial experts advise the average person to spend no more than 30% of their income on housing. The likelihood of making that happen, though, depends largely on where you live. That’s because for people in dozens of American cities, the typical person sees nearly all of their income gobbled up by rent. According to… Read More »

Most Affordable Million Dollar Housing Markets

The terms “affordability” and “ultra-luxury housing market” may not immediately seem like they go together, but the truth is that as the U.S. housing market continues its recovery and median sales prices keep trending upward, more and more cities and towns across the country, even some not necessarily considered elite enclaves, will likely see their… Read More »

How Much Does It Cost to Refinance?

Many homeowners are considering a mortgage refinance as rates have been on a generally near record lows over the last few years. Even though they are higher than they were, rates are still historically low, so now could be a good time to refinance. But if you are thinking about it, it is important to… Read More »

Where Home Prices Are Rising the Fastest (Slowest)

Since the end of the great recession, home prices in America have rebounded substantially. Since the dark days of 2009, prices have steadily climbed and are up over 50% on average from the lowest point. This is great news for homeowners whose homes may be worth more than their pre-recession values, but less great news… Read More »

What Are the FHA Loan Income Limits & Requirements?

If you are intending to get an FHA mortgage loan in 2020, you will be interested to learn FHA requirements and loan amount limits for the year. FHA recently announced its updated limits for 2020. It appears most of the US will see a substantial increase In higher cost zones of the nation, the FHA… Read More »

When You Should NOT Refinance Your Mortgage

Home mortgage refinance rates are still low in 2020. If you can refinance your mortgage and save at least .5% on the rate, it can be a way to save you big bucks in interest and payments over the years. But the decision to refinance should be carefully weighed. Below are five reasons you may… Read More »