Creating a Mortgage Plan
If you’re shopping for a new home, you can calculate the home price you can pay and the mortgage schedule you will need based on the payment, down payment, taxes, and insurance you can afford. Fixed-rate mortgage Keeping the loan for the full loan term, such as 30 years, and making all of your payments […]
What does the government shutdown mean for my mortgage?
When the government shuts down, who gets hit hardest among people needing a home mortgage? The latest version of federal breakdown made one fact painfully clear: It all depends on the type of loan you’re shopping for, or already had in progress. For many borrowers a VA (Department of Veterans Affairs) mortgage or FHA (Federal […]
Non-Conforming Home Loans in Texas
A residential mortgage that does not conform to the loan purchasing guidelines set by the Federal National Mortgage Association and Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation is called a non-conforming loan. The significant difference between a conforming and a nonconforming loan is the loan’s limits. Non-conforming loans in Texas or jumbo loans have higher limits, and […]
Top 10 Things to Know About Your Credit
How do you build credit? Focus on the five fundamentals that determine your credit score: payment history, credit utilization, length of credit history, new credit, and credit mix. A general rule is to use credit sparingly and make payments on time. It takes years to build good credit, but it’s worthwhile to be patient. Is […]
Signs You’re Not Ready to Buy a House
There are certainly pros and cons of becoming a homeowner — and stumbling across just one dreamy listing of a home for sale with the perfect open-concept kitchen and fenced-in backyard can leave you thinking about little else. But then you realize you’d rather save your money for a dream vacation and said house doesn’t […]
Preparing Your Garden for Spring
Now is the time to get your garden ready for spring. Here are some general tips to get your space ready for growth! Take Stock This is probably the most important step and you should not skip it. Most of us are eager to get out and actually do something in the garden after a […]
Most Popular Eco-Friendly Flooring Solutions
There was a time when the term eco-friendly evoked images of bland, boring, and neutral colored materials. Thankfully, that is not the case anymore. As more designers seek out eco-friendly materials for an environmentally aware clientele, manufacturers have given the design world many beautiful options. 1. Cork Cork is relatively new to the flooring world. […]
Energy Efficient Home Improvement Projects
Commonly heard and read about energy-saving advice: Buy only Energy Star-rated appliances, replace incandescent light bulbs with fluorescent twists or LEDs, and choose the cheapest electric provider. But there are many other low-cost, energy-saving strategies that can escape homeowners’ attention. About 35 percent of heating and cooling is lost through the roof, according to energy […]
Five Slow Cooker Recipes to Warm You Up This Winter
Staying home and making comforting, hot foods is one of our favorite parts of winter. We wanted to share some great slow cooker recipes to help you stay warm this winter. Easy Slow Cooker Saag Aloo This delightful Indian dish makes a great side. You may have tried a similar version with cheese (called saag paneer) […]
What You Should Keep in Your Car for Wintertime
Living in a climate where winter means unpredictably cold weather means having your car stocked up for wintertime emergencies is a must. It doesn’t take much preparation to assure that you can focus on getting to your winter destinations safe and sound. But in the event of an emergency there are items you should have […]
