While most people may be expecting a stimulus check from the U.S. Treasury, some people should be expecting prepaid debit cards instead. These prepaid debit cards are coming in plain envelopes from “Money Network Cardholder Services” in Omaha, Nebraska which could further confuse some people. In order to ease this confusion, the IRS itself has tweeted recently confirming that millions of Americans will be receiving their stimulus through these prepaid cards. Consumers have been using their stimulus money to help with groceries, car payments, and rent payments among other things, but what you may not know is it can be used for a down payment on a home as well. When checking your mail moving forward, make sure to look extra...
Mortgage applications to purchase a home rose 9% from last week. This marks the sixth consecutive week home mortgage loan applications have risen. Since the beginning of April, the total number of mortgage loan application numbers have risen 54% marking a strong recovery in the mortgage market. Along with the rise in mortgage applications, a housing location preference shift may also be in play. Some analysts believe the market may move from small downtown apartments to more suburban markets with room for backyards and home...
Bonita-Springs Estero Realtors recently featured our Director of Marketing, Derik Gillingham, for their affiliate Friday! Check out the quick video on the loan application...
During this time of decreased travel, owners of Airbnb and other rental properties are looking to liquidate their assets. This may create the opportunity for good deals within an already low interest rate environment. With the rise of virtual open houses, you can see a higher variety of properties using less time, allowing you to get a greater feel for the market in your local...
Buying your first home and getting a home mortgage loan is a big step in any new homeowner’s life. Here are some things to help you prepare and avoid unnecessary stress during the home buying process. Have a budget in mind: Prepare a budget that includes home owners association fees, insurance, taxes, and of course the cost of your home mortgage loan payments. Having this budget will give you a starting point on what type of home you want to buy. Find a trustworthy real estate agent: Having an agent you can trust will relieve stress in the home buying process. Your agent should have your best interests at heart and be an extension of you during this process. Make time to do some research: Researching the location of where you want to live is very important. In addition to the information your agent supplies you, do some personal research. Figuring out what type of home, the fees that come with it, and other determining factors will make you more confident in your decision. Establish loan parameters: In addition to figuring out your budget, you need to determine how much money you will take out via a home mortgage loan. Determining which type of home mortgage loan you prefer is also necessary during this step. Contacting a loan officer to help discuss your home loan options during this time could help provide clarity as well. ...
Working from home is causing workers nationwide to feel the pressure to be constantly available. The responsibilities of everyday life (paying your mortgage, cleaning the house, etc.) remaining constant and the addition of homeschooling and caring for the sick or elderly are weighing heavy on Americans during this trying time. Being able to balance working from home and the ever-growing home life responsibilities has many people feeling burnt-out. In order to feel happier and more energetic with all these restrictions on us, its important to designate time during the day and space within your home for yourself. Not every room and every hour of the day should be associated with work, but instead time needs to be taken to relax and recharge. In addition it’s important to take care of yourself through hydrating, eating well, exercising, and engaging with other people unrelated to work. When the work day is over it’s important to unplug and not have your mind in a constant state of worrying about work. Staying happy and healthy during this pandemic will help us all get...