Bi-weekly mortgage payments reduce the term of the loan, reduce interest payments, and apply more to the principal loan balance. Bi-weekly payments are equivalent to making one extra mortgage payment per year because there are 26 bi-weekly periods in a year (13 monthly pmts). Taking advantage of an “extra” payment each year of a 30-year [...]
Austin Homes Sales Volume Down Due To Tax Credit; Price Continues to Slowly Rise Austin Board of REALTORS® releases April 2011 real estate statistics May 19, 2011 – According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, 1,690 single-family homes were sold in the Austin area in April 2011, 16 percent fewer [...]
While the home buyer tax credit opportunity ended last year for most Americans, it is still available for some members of the military and certain other federal employees serving abroad! Low interest rates on VA and other loans, combined with these federal tax credits* for certain first-time home buyers and move-up buyers, make home buying [...]
3rd Fastest-Growing City: Austin, Texas Change in Population, 2000-2008: 32.2% The capital of Texas, also known as the “live music capital of the world” for events such as the Austin City Limits annual music festival, Austin ranks as the third fastest growing city in the nation by population. Increasing in population by almost a [...]
Austin Board of REALTORS® releases August 2010 real estate statistics September 20, 2010 – According to the Multiple Listing Service (MLS) report released today by the Austin Board of REALTORS®, the impact of the expired homebuyer tax credits is still being felt in the Austin real estate market, yet the gap in year-over-year sales [...]
REBOUND OR DOUBLE DIP? DOTZOUR’S 2011 FORECAST COLLEGE STATION (Mays Business School) – As much of the nation ponders whether the country is in rebound mode or headed for a “double-dip” recession, Real Estate Center Chief Economist Dr. Mark Dotzour sees definite signs of hope for the economy. “There are signals that the economy is trying [...]
From Application to Closing Once you’ve submitted your mortgage application and received a decision, the steps leading up to your closing will be unfamiliar. We want you to know what to expect. Prior to closing on your new home, you’ll need an appraisal, a home inspection, home insurance and title insurance. PreApproval [...]
I found this and thought it might be good info. What is title Insurance? Title insurance is the application of insurance to hazards in real estate titles. What is “Title”? “Title” is the foundation of ownership of property. It means that you have a legal right to possess that property and to use it within [...]
What does a percent in rate cost you? 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage Mortgage Amt. Interest Rates / Monthly Payment 5% 6% 7% 8% 9% $100,000 $536.82 $599.55 $665.30 [...]
If you are shopping around for a mortgage and can’t find your lender, or more specifically Loan Originator, on the internet then “red flags” should be popping up all over the place. If a Loan Originator is still in business today then they have probably been successful enough to hang on through the last 18 months [...]
