Tag Archives: finance

Reverse Mortgage… a Relief for Seniors

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All of us have seen the advertisements on TV about the ‘Reverse Mortgage’ – but how many of us really believe a TV commercial? Is it just a gimmick so the bank to get hold of our house? Well, the … Continue reading

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Buying a new Home? . . .Warning!!!

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NO ‘mysterious’ deposits to your bank accounts – Borrowing money for a down payment to buy a home is an absolute ‘no-no’ in the world of mortgage lending. If there is a chance you may not have enough for the … Continue reading

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Principle, Interest, PMI, Escrow – What’s it all About?

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Principle and Interest The first item on your house note will be the  Principle and Interest (P&I) calculation based on the original amount of your loan. Using a good Mortgage Calculator, simply plug in the current interest rate and the … Continue reading

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Closing Costs

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When planning to buy a home, most people save for their down payment, but give little or no thought to closing costs. . . or if a first time homebuyer, may not know what closing costs are. Closing costs are … Continue reading

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Use Your Own Agent When Buying a Home

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When you see a ‘for sale’ sign, are you tempted to call the agent? …Try to negotiate price and terms with the very person hired by the seller to represent the seller? Come on… You’re smarter than that!! What about … Continue reading

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The Power of Interest

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If you listen to the news even once in awhile, you’ve probably heard a commentator make reference to interest rates… and how they are helping to stimulate the economy. If the whole topic about interest rates makes you yawn, wake up!!  You … Continue reading

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Are There Really Great Bargains in Buying Foreclosures?

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Most people are under the assumption that all foreclosed homes are bargains. Well.  .  .  YES and NO YES  if you are looking for a home priced under market value.               NO  if you are looking for a home in super … Continue reading

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‘Bond for Deed’ – A Type of Owner Finance

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What is a Bond for Deed? A Bond for Deed is actually a Deed in Trust and is used as a type of owner financing. It is in fact, an interim finance program whereby the deed is held in trust by a bonded … Continue reading

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How Much Home Can You Afford?

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As you’ve probably seen by now, there are beautiful homes in every price range. Right? And with so many homes coming on the market every month, how can you possibly choose? Well, the answer is, take it in logical steps. … Continue reading

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Orleans Parish, First Time Homebuyers


Are You a First Time Homebuyer? . . . if so, you may be eligible for a ‘Soft Second’ A ‘soft second’ is money provided only to first time homebuyers. The program will provide funds, up to $65,000, to cover your down payment … Continue reading

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Improve Credit Scores with NO MORE Late Payments

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If you earn enough to pay your bills, but are always just a day ot two late, this small adjustment to your bill paying methods could save you lots of money and add an add’l 50 points to your credit score. … Continue reading

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Free Money for First Time Homebuyers

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Yes!   . . . And it’s called a ‘Soft Second’ A ‘soft second’ is money provided only to first time homebuyers. The program will provide up to 20% for a down payment (limited to $30,000 and a $200,000 home price … Continue reading

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Rent to Own, Lease Purchase, Owner Finance

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NO Money?  NO Credit?  . . . .NO Problem! Rent to Own . . . .                 Lease Purchase . . . .                                 Owner Finance . . . . First of all, if the first line sounds a bit dumb, … Continue reading

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Buying a Home. . .

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       Buying a Home  . . .And Why You Should be Working with an ‘ABR’ Whether you are a first time homebuyer, or it’s been quite a few years since you bought your current home, buying a home may seem quite daunting. Well, sit … Continue reading

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Free Credit Scores

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… and Credit Reports Quite often people may know their credit isn’t ‘stellar’, but when thinking about buying a home, they would like to know ahead of time just how bad (or good) it is. . . and often to their surprise, they … Continue reading

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‘Short Sale’ Tips for Sellers

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Navigating Short Sales: What to Do When the Sale Price Leaves You Short If you’re thinking of selling your home, and you expect that the total amount you owe on your mortgage will be greater than the selling price of … Continue reading

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FHA Loans


What is an FHA loan? The word ‘loan’ is a bit of a misnomer, since Federal Housing Administration (FHA) loans are not loans at all. What the FHA does is insure loans so that lenders can offer mortgage assistance to … Continue reading

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401K Funds Used for a Down Payment


Reprint from The Mortgage Professors Website, April 19, 2004, Revised November 28, 2006, October 2, 2007, Reviewed April 10, 2011 —  © 2011 Mortgage Professor The cost of using funds in a 401K as down payment should be compared with … Continue reading

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Loan Pre-Approval – Who needs it?

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“If I’m not buying a repo or a ‘short sale’, why do I have to be pre-approved?”  The answer to this will quickly become obvious once you understand what it means to be a seller in today’s market. In fact, … Continue reading

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Mortgage Choices: FHA 203k? …or HomePath Loan?

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In this market, agents are quite often asked which is better… An FHA 203k or a Fannie Mae Homepath loan? The following is a reprint from a blog by Justin McHood who works for Academy Mortgage and is based in … Continue reading

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Rehab a Home with HUD’s 203k Loan

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The following is a reprint courtesy of HUD.Cov, US Dept of Housing and Urban Development The Section 203(k) loan program is HUD’s primary program for the rehabilitation and repair of single family properties. As such, it is an important tool … Continue reading

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Do-It-Yourself Credit Repair

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Have you had a bankruptcy in the past? Had debts that went to ‘Collection” and were written off? Do you think because bill collectors don’t call anymore, it’s all forgotten? Wrong!!  Not only is it not ‘forgotten’, you have to … Continue reading

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