How to Tap Into Your Home Equity Without Selling

By Jason Neuffer |   Feb 28, 2025

Your home is more than just a place to live—it’s also a valuable financial asset. If you've built up equity in your home, you might be wondering how to access that money without selling. Fortunately, there are several ways to tap into your home equity while still keeping your home. Let’s explore your options.

First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid

By Jason Neuffer |   Feb 13, 2025

Buying your first home is an exciting milestone, but it can also be overwhelming. Many first-time buyers make common mistakes that can lead to financial strain or regret down the road. To help you navigate the process smoothly, here are some key mistakes to avoid.

What to Do If Your Mortgage Interest Rate Is About to Go Up Due to a Temporary Buydown

By Jason Neuffer |   Feb 05, 2025

If you secured a mortgage with a temporary buydown, you may have enjoyed a lower interest rate for the first few years of your loan. However, it's important to be prepared for the point when your rate increases to its full amount. Here’s how to determine if your mortgage interest rate is about to go up and what you can do to manage the transition.

Closing Costs: What to Expect

By Jason Neuffer |   Jan 24, 2025

Buying a home is an exciting milestone, but it comes with several financial considerations, including closing costs. Understanding what these costs entail can help you prepare and avoid any last-minute surprises. Here's a breakdown of what to expect regarding closing costs.

How to Review a Loan Estimate

By Jason Neuffer |   Dec 10, 2024

If you’re in the process of buying a home or refinancing your mortgage, one of the most important documents you’ll encounter is the Loan Estimate. This document, provided by your lender, gives you a detailed breakdown of the costs and terms associated with your loan. Knowing how to review it can save you money and help you make a confident decision. Here’s what you need to know. Please note the loan estimate images used in this post are just an example and should not be used to estimate costs or quote a rate. Please click here to complete an application if you would like a loan estimate.

Understanding Blended Interest Rates: A Comprehensive Guide

By Jason Neuffer |   Nov 02, 2023

Interest rates play a fundamental role in the world of finance. Whether you're taking out a loan, saving money in a bank account, or investing in the stock market, interest rates have a significant impact on your financial decisions. Blended interest rates are a concept that often arises in various financial situations, and understanding them is crucial for making informed financial choices. In this blog post, we'll explore the concept of blended interest rates, how they work, and their relevance in different financial scenarios.

Navigating Rate Volatility: The Step-by-Step Approach to Cash-Out Refinancing for Financial Security

By Paul Blaylock |   May 17, 2023

In today's economic climate, many households are grappling with epic amounts of consumer debt, with the average exceeding 23%. Secured debts like auto loans have pushed the debt burden even further, surpassing 10%. Inflation and stagnant incomes have fueled the use of credit, causing savings to dwindle and household balance sheets to evaporate. While record levels of home equity offer some hope, property values are tapering off. In the midst of these challenges, credit scores remain intact, but borrowers must be cautious. 

February Mortgage Rates on the Downslope by End of Month

By Holden Lewis |   Jan 31, 2023

Mortgage rates could decline in February as the Federal Reserve writes the next chapters of its inflation-busting campaign.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hit it's January peak in the first week of the year and fell thereafter. It's too early to conclude that the 30-year mortgage has already reached its 2023 zenith, but it's quite possible.

The housing market wakes from the dead

By Emily Peck |   Jan 30, 2023

The housing market is showing signs of life after veering into a dead zone late last year.

Why it matters: These green shoots are a good sign for the economy overall, and run counter to some of the dire predictions made last fall when mortgage rates were skyrocketing.

What's happening: Home buyers are making peace with higher mortgage rates, and sellers are making peace with the need to cut prices and make concessions.

Weekly mortgage demand jumps 7% as interest rates drop to lowest level since September

By Diana Olick |   Jan 25, 2023

Mortgage interest rates fell for the third straight week, while mortgage demand also rose again.

Total application volume increased 7% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index.