Lending / Financial

Buying real estate is even more challenging for those of us whose eyes glaze over at the mere mention of decimals, percentages or anything else that even hints of mathematics.


The financial aspect of purchasing the largest investment of your lifetime, though, is the most important. Nobody wants to lose money. Nobody wants to leave money on the table.


If you're in the market for information on mortgages, credit scores and interest rates, you've come to the right place. The financial and mortgage pros here at ActiveRain even tell you how to shop for and compare lenders, how to raise your credit score, how to get a mortgage after a short sale or foreclosure and how to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. Even Mom and Dad can't give the great advice you'll find here at ActiveRain.


Plan to spend some time here because ActiveRain's content library is massive. Lucky for you we've arranged it so that it's über user-friendly. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to put your finger on just the information you're looking for without having to surf a million other pages.

Recent blogs on Lending / Financial
By Kevin Vitali, Helping Massachusetts Home Buyers and Home Sellers
(EXIT Realty Beatrice Associates)
One area where homeowners can potentially reduce their monthly expenses is by terminating private mortgage insurance (PMI). In this article, I will provide a comprehensive guide on how to terminate private mortgage insurance, also known as PMI, and help you save money on your mortgage payments.Understanding Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)Before we delve into the steps to terminate private mortgage insurance, it's essential to understand what PMI is and why it exists. When you purchase a home with a down payment of less than 20% of the property's value, lenders typically require you to obtain private mortgage insurance. PMI protects the lender in case the borrower defaults on the loan.While PMI benefits lenders, it adds an additional cost to your monthly mortgage payments. However, once...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
Mortgage 101 it all starts here we do the research for you whether a VA, FHA, Conventional, or non-traditional. We can help take the challenges out of the equation.  How to get a Mortgage and FREE Credit Report      If you’re thinking about buying a home, you should know your credit score’s a critical piece of the puzzle when it comes to qualifying for a home loan. Lenders review your credit to assess your ability to make payments on time, pay back debts, and more. It’s also a factor that helps determine your mortgage rate. Click Here to Continue Reading & Share Thinking of buying use our Broker Buying System to do your searches, find out the actual value of each home before you make an offer, property disclosures at your fingertips, home inspection reports, and any work that has or ma...
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By Bob Elliot, 20+ Yrs Industry Experience
(eXp Realty)
Last week’s scheduled economic news includes readings on inflation, new home sales, pending home sales, and consumer sentiment. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell spoke at a banking conference in Spain. Weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.New Home Sales Rise as Pending Home Sales FallMay readings for new and pending home sales showed mixed results for May. 763,000 new home sales were expected on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. Analysts expected a reading of 675,000 sales based on April’s year-over-year reading of 680,000 new home sales. May’s increase in new home sales was the largest since  February 2022.New home sales increased for the third consecutive month. The supply of new homes for sale fell 11.80 percent between April and May to a 7-month...
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By Jackie A. Graves, President
(ChangeMyRate.com® A Mortgage Corporation)
Want to buy a house but short on cash to get the deal done? It's a common problem that is keeping countless potential buyers on the sidelines. "Money issues often stand in the way of homeownership," said Bankrate. "A survey by rental service Apartment List found that 80 percent of millennial renters want to buy a home, but most say they can't afford to."A recent story in Apartment Therapy titled "How I Saved $40K in 5 Years for a Down Payment" piqued our interest. Their tip: Get a side hustle and sock all that money away. Those are some impressive saving skills, but if you're saying to yourself, "I don't even want to wait five months, let alone five years", we have some tips that can help. None of them are quite as hardcore as working a second job late into the night (but if you're just...
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By Kimo Stowell, REALTOR Associate® RS-76763 - Honolulu Hawai'i
(HI Pro Realty LLC RB-21531 )
               Latest rates, based on 20 percent down, $200,000 owner-occupant mortgages. The rates and terms may vary; check with lenders for details. Rates may have changed click here to verifyWednesday, June 28, 2023  Lender Term/Type Interest Rate % Points % *APR Aloha Pacific Federal Credit Union808-531-3711NMLS#377314 15-YR Fixed 5.250 2.000 5.737 30-YR Fixed 5.875 1.875 6.161 5-YR ARM 5.125 0.875 5.303 American Savings Bank808-593-1226NMLS#423168 15-YR Fixed 5.625 1.875 6.050 30-YR Fixed 6.250 1.875 6.515 5-YR ARM 6.125 1.875 7.402 Bank of Hawaii877-616-2636 15-YR Fixed 6.250 0.625 6.349 30-YR Fixed 6.500 0.750 6.573 5-YR ARM 5.750 2.250 7.098 Central Pacific Bank808-544-0500NMLS#416603 15-YR Fixed 5.625 1.875 6.059 30-YR Fixed 5.875 2.125 6.161 5-YR ARM 6.625 0.000 7.553 Finance...
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By Jackie A. Graves, President
(ChangeMyRate.com® A Mortgage Corporation)
When it comes to buying a home, obtaining a mortgage pre-approval is an essential step in the process. A mortgage pre-approval provides you with a clear idea of your budget, helps you narrow down your home search, and makes you a serious contender in the eyes of sellers. However, it’s important to understand how long a pre-approval for a mortgage lasts and the factors that can affect its validity. In this Redfin article, we will delve into the details of mortgage pre-approvals, their typical duration, and some key considerations.What is a mortgage pre-approval?A mortgage pre-approval is a lender’s valuation of your financial situation to determine the amount they are willing to lend you for a home purchase. Unlike a prequalification, which is a preliminary assessment, a pre-approval inv...
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By Joseph Lorenzo, Your Law And Order Realtor
(Frank Rubi Real Estate LLC)
Today in our blog series "The ABC's Of Real Estate" we will talk about estate planning and how real estate factors in that planning. When it comes to estate planning, real estate often makes up a significant portion of an individual's net worth. It is essential to understand how to properly factor real estate into your estate plan to protect your assets and ensure a smooth transition for your heirs. Understand the Types of OwnershipHow you own your property impacts how it's transferred upon your death. The three main forms of ownership are: Sole Ownership: The property is owned by one person. Upon their death, the property will be part of their estate and distributed according to their will or, if there is no will, according to state law. Joint Tenancy: The property is owned by two or m...
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By Bob Elliot, 20+ Yrs Industry Experience
(eXp Realty)
April readings for S&P Case-Shiller’s Housing Market Indices showed gains in home prices throughout the U.S. Rising prices were caused by shortages of previously-owned homes for sale and increasing buyer demand as the average 30-year mortgage rate exceeded six percent.  The southeastern region lost its top spot on S&P Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index as Chicago, Illinois, Atlanta, Georgia, and Tampa, Florida held the top three year-over-year home price growth rates for April. Chicago, Illinois Breaks Southeast’s Lead on April Home Price GrowthThe top three cities with the highest home price growth rates as reported in April’s   S&P Case-Shiller’s 20-City Home Price Index were Chicago, Illinois with a  year-over-year home price gain of 4.10 percent;  Atlanta, Georgia posted a year...
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By Laura Sellers, www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com
(Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Preferred Real Estate, Inc.; www.AuburnOpelikaALRealEstate.com)
Improve Your Debt-to-Credit RatioYour debt-to-credit (DTC) ratio is one of the main measures that lenders use to determine your loan eligibility. Find out how to calculate and improve your DTC in this #GTK blog—and do reach out with any questions, I’m always happy to assist.Among the criteria that lenders use to determine your eligibility for a mortgage loan is your debt-to-credit (DTC) ratio. According to Equifax, one of three major credit reporting entities used by lenders, landlords, credit card companies, employers, and others, debt-to-credit is the amount you owe across all revolving accounts compared to the amount of revolving credit available to you. This is one component that comprises 30% of your total credit score, and it includes your payment history, how many credit accounts...
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