Category Archives: Mortgages

Real Costs of Home Ownership

How Much Does It Really Cost to Own A Home?

Even these days, with real estate in a bit of a slump, new neighborhoods still pop up in my local area. I see signs on the new construction, and even in store parking lots, advertising that people can purchase a home for less than the cost of renting an apartment. But is that true. Even if you pay $1,000 a month for rent, and a sign advertises you can pay $750 for mortgage payments, will it still be a lighter burden on your budget?

Posted in Mortgages | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

Avoiding PMI For Home Buyers

What is Private Mortgage Insurance?

It seems like so many types of insurance have different names that have the word mortgage or home in them that many consumers get confused. But private mortgage insurance is a product that many lenders require to qualify home buyers for their loans. It protects the lender, but not the borrower, in case of a loan default.

Because these loans are riskier, many mortgage companies require PMI if a lender cannot put down 20% of the purchase price. The problem for the borrower is that this coverage can be expensive, and of course, that makes it even tougher to build equity in a home because the cost of owning a home will be higher.

Posted in Mortgages | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The Costs of Homeownership

How Much Will It Cost to Own a Home?

A lot of us tend to hold home ownership us an ideal. We consider renting a thing that is done as a temporary way to get a place to live when there are no other options at the moment. And yet, is buying a home always the right answer? Here is another article with some answers (or more questions): Own or Rent a Home?

Posted in Mortgages | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

Rent or Own – The Real Cost of Home Ownership

Should You Rent or Own a Home?

I understand the attraction of buying a home. It provides security, stability, and for many, the largest asset that the family owns. Most families must take out a home loan, but the interest can be deducted from state and federal income taxes. So, even without the current stimulus plan, homeowners can take advantage of government help to pay off a loan. But beyond these advantages, is home ownership always a good idea?

Posted in Mortgages | Tagged , , | Leave a comment

How to Qualify for a Home Mortgage, even if…

Can You Qualify For A Home Mortgage?

Many people think this is a good time to purchase a home, especially when interest rates are low, the government has incentives for some buyers, and there is plenty of housing inventory. If you rent now, you may also want to look at this article: Should you rent or buy a home. We also have a rent vs. buy calculator online.

How Much of a Mortgage Do I qualify For?

Posted in Mortgages | Tagged , | 1 Comment