EstaR mortgage Blog

  If you've traveled on an airplane recently, you probably went through a security check at the airport.  These security checks are required by a federal law called the USA Patriot Act.  This very same law has a provision that requires mortgage companies, banks, and financial institutions to doc...

  If you or anyone you know is buying a house this summer, chances are you’ll be dealing with competing for offers and low inventory issues.  Here are three ways to avoid getting priced out of the house you want:1 – Consider Your Overall Debt StrategyFor example, what would it look like if you u...

  Clients often ask about whether it makes sense to pull money out of a retirement account to purchase a home or pay for large expenses. Here’s the inside scoop:Note: visit the IRS web site for info on any of these items and check with a CPA for details about how these general rules apply in you...

  How can I increase my rate of return?  The cornerstone of any smart investment strategy is to calculate your rate of return.  With real estate this is done by running the numbers using an internal rate of return (IRR) formula that takes into account: Present Value (PV) - what am I paying out o...

  Closing delays are one of the many unintended consequences of recent government regulation.  Mortgage lenders are required to prepare a "Closing Disclosure" and adhere to the timelines illustrated below.  Any last-minute changes to your deal structure could cause delays of up to a week on purch...

  Mortgage rates are determined by the supply and demand for mortgage bonds in the bond market. Why Mortgage Bonds? When you get a mortgage in the US, your mortgage company is getting the money from Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac, or other "securitizers". These "securitizers" get their money by issuing...

  Home prices in many markets have gone up recently.  This is leaving many retirees with sticker shock when it comes to trading up, or even trading down. Consider Anna and Olaf who are in the process of selling their $400,000 home.  They’ll be left with net proceeds of approx. $364,000 after pay...

  Your length of credit history looks at how long your accounts have been opened. This has a 15% impact on your score. The longer your accounts have been opened, the higher your score will be; newly opened accounts will bring your score down. Here are three practical steps for you to improve you...

If you’re thinking of paying cash for home improvements, you may want to think twice.  Here are three reasons why you may want to consider a cash-out mortgage refinance or home equity loan instead:1 – Preserve your cash: a large home improvement project could quickly deplete your savings. Think ...

  How can I take advantage of tax-free capital gain? When you sell your property for more than what you paid for it, you have a "capital gain" that could be subject to the capital gains tax. The current tax rate for capital gains is anywhere from 0% to 20%, depending on your level of income. If ...