Home Mortgage Financing

Co-Signing A Loan . . . What Can Go Wrong?

Have you been asked by someone to co-sign on their loan? Before saying yes, even if it is a close relative, you should be aware of the many potential consequences to your own financial situation which could result from the decision. Here are some facts that you should consider:

► As a co-signer, you are essentially taking the loan out yourself. You share in all the responsibilities that go along with the loan. The borrower couldn't get the loan without your "guarantee", so essentially the lender cares more about you than the other borrower. It directly affects your credit and your ability to qualify for your own loans during the period that the loan is outstanding. 

Mortgate Mistakes That Can Harm The Home Search Process

When applying for your mortgage there are a few things that you need to know so you don’t make any mistakes that can impact your ability to buy a property. While mistakes sometimes happen out of nowhere, many can be easily avoided if you are willing to put in some extra effort or pay a little more attention to certain details. Here are a few common issues and possible mistakes that you want to avoid so that the mortgage process goes well for you.

Where Are Mortgage Rates Headed?

Assuming you have very good credit (a FICO credit score of 740+) and you’re buying a single-family home as your primary residence, you should be able to get a 30-year fixed mortgage at below

Save Money by Shopping for the Best Mortgage Rate

When shopping for a particular item, everyone is always on the lookout for the best deal, especially if it's an expensive purchase. This rule holds true for things like shoes, appliances, and cars, but many home buyers fail to shop around when it comes to the most expensive item of all: a mortgage. Freddie Mac recently analyzed just how much money buyers are losing out on over the course of their loan by failing to get multiple quotes, and the number wasn't cheap! In fact, they found that getting just one extra quote saves the average borrower over $1,400!

 

Lower Credit Score After Home Purchase? Don't Worry!

After spending months (or even years) boosting their credit score in order to qualify for the best possible mortgage, new homeowners are often dismayed to see their score fall after finally purchasing their dream home. Perhaps even more alarmingly, this decline often lags several months behind the purchase, making buyers question what actually caused it to happen. Luckily, a new study by LendingTree shows that this is not only normal, but generally corrects itself in less than one year! Keep reading to learn why scores fall after buying a home, how large you should expect the decline to be, and when you can expect the score to return to normal.