Ask the expert: What is a rate lock
What is a mortgage rate lock? A mortgage rate lock freezes your interest rate after your loan is approved until the loan is closed. Rate locks can be…
Category: Real Estate
Price it right to sell your home in a brisk spring market
A new job, a new baby, retirement, or maybe just a taste for change. You want more space, less space, new space — whatever the reason, you just want to…
Should you stay or should you go?
Here is a happy problem: Should you renovate or move? No matter what choice you make, you are going to have something better. But when you get into the…
Ask the expert
We are buying our first house and we are concerned about interest rates. Someone mentioned a mortgage buydown to get lower rates. What is this? A mortgage…
Break out the bubbly: Things to celebrate in the 2023 real estate market
The new year will almost certainly bring home buyers more homes to choose from and better prices, experts say. According to MarketWatch, a fresh group of…
Ask the Expert: What is a conforming loan?
A conforming loan is one that conforms to Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac guidelines. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac are giant government-chartered mortgage…
The joy (and trials) of Christmas lights
Checking out the neighborhood is essential for home buyers at any time of year but, for some, the best time of the year to look around neighborhoods is…
Ask the Expert: Interest rates rising! Should I buy?
I finally saved up a down payment, but now interest rates are rising. Should I still buy? If you are ready, yes, you should buy. Interest rates are higher…
Ask the Expert: Is a reverse mortgage right for us?
Question: With the stock market down, we are worried about financing our retirement. Can a reverse mortgage help with that? Answer: Yes. If you want to…
Preapproved or prequalified?
Sellers love preapproved buyers and, experts say, preapproval puts buyers in their best bargaining position. But sometimes buyers confuse preapproval and…