The mortgage business seems to have its own language. It’s complicated and full of acronyms, terms and jargon, many of which you may not have much knowledge about. When you think about buying a house or refinancing your mortgage, you might feel like a college freshman entering his or her first class of the semester…naïve, unprepared and a bit hesitant. We know mortgages can be hard to understand, and that’s why we work with you every step of the way….
Read More
Life changes – like getting married, divorced, having a child, or facing widowhood – require more than an emotional adjustment. They also require certain financial adjustments. If you need help, you can get FREE financial coaching through Midwest Community. Learn more here. Marriage Have the money talk. Sit down with your significant other and set financial goals. Do you want to save for a new house? Have kids? Will you pool your assets or maintain separate checking or savings accounts? Discuss…
Read More
The landscape of mortgage refinancing is shifting, but that shouldn’t necessarily scare homeowners away from considering this financial move. According to the Ohio Credit Union League’s 2018 Mid-Year Consumer survey, 57 percent of respondents have refinanced a mortgage. And most Ohioans, 81.7 percent, believe the best reason to refinance a mortgage is to take advantage of better interest rates, payments, or loan terms. Fewer Ohioans are comfortable utilizing a cash-out refinance option to pay for home improvements (8.6 percent), to…
Read More
A: Since monthly payments spread the cost of a mortgage loan over an extended period, it’s easy to forget the total expense. For example, if you borrow $200,000 for 30 years at 6% interest, your total repayment will be around $431,680, more than two and a half times the original loan. What seems like minor differences in the interest rate can add up to a lot of money over 30 years. At 7%, the total repaid would be $479,160, about $47,480…
Read More
A: Start by defining your goals. Consider where you want to live, the features you’re looking for, what you can afford, and a realistic date for having the money you’ll need. Then apply your knowledge to making this key decision. The Cost of Buying The actual amount you’ll spend to buy a home depends on the part of the country you live in and the type of home you want. While the dollar amount will vary, certain guidelines apply wherever…
Read More
A: According to The Balance, “Home equity is an asset that comes from a homeowner’s interest in a home. To calculate equity, subtract any outstanding loan balances from the property’s market value.” Home equity is the portion of your home that you truly own and having more equity is a good thing. The more you put into your house, including payments towards your mortgage and fixing up the home, the more equity you have. Fixing up your home and having…
Read More
