Mortgage Blog
Category: Miscellaneous (45 posts)
Easy Ways to Repay Your Home Loan Early and Free Up Cash for Family Adventures
November 27, 2019 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Most home buyers take out a mortgage to help finance buying a home. As a result, many homeowners are faced with a monthly mortgage payment during the time they are raising their children or sending th ...
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What is the Difference Between a Home Equity Loan and Refinancing?
November 13, 2019 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Though most people believe that their home is a great place to live, others see the value in owning a home. It can be a great investment. However, if you are strapped for cash, it can be a source of ...
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3 Smart Ways to Use a Home Equity Line of Credit
March 13, 2019 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
For homeowners across the globe, home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) have become a handy way of tapping into the value of their homes. However, when borrowing money against your home, it is always ...
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How to Improve Your Chances of Being Approved for a Mortgage
December 24, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
For most first time home buyers, obtaining a mortgage is a crucial part of the purchasing process. However, being approved for a mortgage is often easier said than done. It can be disheartening to f ...
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Buying Your First Home: When Are You REALLY Ready?
December 12, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Purchasing your first home is the dream of a lifetime and a massive investment toward your future. The process is full of hopes and aspirations but is also a huge commitment to take on. For those who ...
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The Pros And Cons Of Reverse Mortgages - A Quick Guide
November 28, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
No matter how carefully you plan, life can put a dent in your retirement funds. A life-altering accident or illness can turn your life upside down. Dipping into your retirement to meet uncovered expen ...
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3 Lesser-Known Ways to Invest in Real Estate
November 14, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Investing in real estate has long been a path to wealth-building. Real estate is an asset that can provide both ongoing income and value appreciation, making it attractive to those who seek long-term ...
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Real Estate: Four Features of Profitable Rental Property
October 24, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Investing in real estate can be a frightening task for a first-time buyer. While the rewards can be huge, there are also a number of risks that you will need to consider. However, if you know what to ...
read moreFive Surefire Ways to Ensure You are ready to Buy a Home as a Recent College Graduate
October 10, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
If you are a recent college graduate, you might think that buying a home is still many years off, but that's not necessarily the case. If you dream of homeownership, even as a young adult, there may b ...
read moreShould You Get a Shorter-Term Mortgage, Make Extra Payments, or Something Else?
September 26, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
When getting a home mortgage, if you can afford higher payments, often the option of a 15-year loan instead of one of 30 years is an option. It can be an enticing idea to know that you'll be free of a ...
read moreFour Home Renovation Projects That Will Boost the Value of Your House
September 12, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Whether you are planning on selling your home in the near future, or if you intend to stay for a long time to come, a renovation can be a great way to boost the overall appearance, utility, and value ...
read more5 Reasons Why Your Home Isn't Selling
August 22, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
You've put your house on the market, and you're ready to start spending all the money you know you'll make from the sale. There's only one problem. Your house isn't selling. After trying to figure ...
read moreThe Differences Between a Credit Freeze and Credit Lock, and How They Can Protect You from Identity Theft
August 8, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
From your full name, to your address, to your social security number - almost every detail about you is stored in a database somewhere. This information floats around in digital clouds and servers, al ...
read moreHouse Flipping 101: How to Prevent Injuries During Demolition Days
July 25, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Demolition days are a major perk for those engaging in house flipping. You get to smash kitchens, bathrooms, bedrooms, and living rooms to smithereens as you demolish the interior of the home you're ...
read moreReal Estate: How to Refinance a Mortgage with a Bad Credit Score
July 11, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
There are many excellent reasons a homeowner may look into refinancing their mortgage. To refinance means to replace your current mortgage with a new one, almost always with a lower interest rate. For ...
read more6 Home Renovations That Will Increase Your Home's Value
June 27, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Home renovations can be an expensive and time-consuming commitment, and whether you plan on staying put for the long haul or flipping the house right away, it's worth knowing which renovation projects ...
read moreThings to Consider Before Moving Into an Over-55 Community
June 13, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Many people, as they approach retirement age and the kids are gone, begin thinking about downsizing. One of the more popular choices for reduction is moving to one of the over-55 communities that ar ...
read moreHow to Know If You Should Buy a Home or Continue Renting
May 23, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
While owning a home and a plot of land was once part of the 'American Dream' for many people, the times have shifted. The global financial crisis which resulted in a massive shift in the housing marke ...
read moreGreat Buy on a Home? - Don't Expect the Appraisal to Prove It
May 9, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Buying a home can be fun and exciting, especially when you drive a hard bargain and get that seller over a barrel. You did your research, caught a home with higher than average days on the marke ...
read moreTips to Ease the Moving Process Along
April 25, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Moving can be a stressful process, no matter how far you are traveling. Planning your move minimizes the stress associated with this task while also simplifying the process. Here are several tips that ...
read moreFive Things to Consider Before Flipping a House
March 28, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
House flipping can be a tempting way to make fast money, but not every fixer-upper has the potential to be profitable. Here's five things to consider before buying a property to flip. 1. Time Tele ...
read moreThinking of Buying a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions First
March 14, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Many people simply assume that buying a home is always better than renting, but that is not always the case. Owning a home makes sense in certain circumstances, just as renting is a smart move in othe ...
read moreHow to Maintain a Good Credit Rating Throughout the Year
February 28, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
If you want to make it easier to get an auto loan, mortgage, or new credit card account, you need to maintain a good credit score. It's easy to do so, particularly if you follow the tips presented her ...
read moreFour Strategies That Can Help You Get Approved for a Mortgage
February 14, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
So, you've decided to take the big step and look into getting what will likely be the biggest loan of your entire life: a mortgage. Applying for a mortgage can be a bit of a nerve-wracking process, es ...
read moreLooking to Invest? Pay Down Your Mortgage Instead
January 24, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
With all the gloomy news about pension plans in the press you may be worrying whether you should actually be investing in a pension plan or not. A new wave of thinking suggests possibly not. There may ...
read moreThe Advantages and Disadvantages of Buying a New Home vs an Existing Home
January 10, 2018 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
If you're planning on investing in real estate, then you're going to have two main options: to buy an existing home or buy a new home. An existing home is a house that has been lived in before, wherea ...
read moreCan You Afford to Buy a New Home?
December 27, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Is Purchasing a New Home in Your Budget? If you're throwing your hard-earned money away on rent each month, putting that same amount towards your own home could be an incredible advantage. However, i ...
read moreWhat to Look for When Buying Your First Home
December 13, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Buying a first home is an exciting time in an individual's life. You may already have a family that needs more than simply being a good structure to protect against them against the elements. In addit ...
read moreSeven Inexpensive Home Staging Ideas for a Quick Sale
November 22, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
When your home is on the market, first impressions matter more than ever. If a potential buyer doesn’t like what they see in the first few minutes, that bad start could color the rest of their e ...
read moreCredit Card Debt vs Mortgage Debt: Which Should You Pay Off?
November 8, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
It's always a good idea to pay down your debt when you have extra cash on hand. However, as you get started, you will probably be faced with several types of debt you can work on, and it's hard to kno ...
read moreBuying Your First Home? Be Prepared for These 5 Startup Expenses
October 24, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
If you are in the market for your first home, you’ve probably saved a substantial amount of money for the down payment. You researched closing costs, sought out the best deal on a mortgage, and ...
read moreFive Reasons Why You Should Have More Than One Bank Account
October 11, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
In today's tech world, being victimized by hackers can leave you penniless if you have only one bank account. The following five situations demonstrate how a having a backup account can keep you ...
read morePreparing to Sell? Do This First
September 27, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
So you've made the decision to sell your home. What you do to prepare - from the outside in - will make all the difference in whether prospective buyers choose to take a look. First impr ...
read more4 Reasons to Say 'Yes' to Good Credit
September 13, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Good credit is a necessity for acquiring many things in life. There are many important reasons for saying 'yes' to credit. Below are some of those reasons, as well as ways to get and build your credit ...
read more10 Mistakes First-Time Homebuyers Make
August 23, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Buying your first house can be an exciting and stressful time. There are so many things to consider that you can find yourself getting overwhelmed. Here are some common mistakes first-time homebuyers ...
read more5 Ways to Simplify Your Financial Life
August 9, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
No matter who you are or what you do for a living, it can seem like your bank statements, credit card receipts, and other financial documents are burying you alive. If you are struggling under the wei ...
read more5 Things First Time Home Buyers Should Do Before They Go Shopping
July 26, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Shopping for your first home is exciting, and it is only natural to want to get right to it. The idea of trading in that monthly rent check for a mortgage payment that builds equity and wealth for the ...
read moreSavvy Spender: Simple, Smart Ways to Make the Most of Your Credit Cards
July 12, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Savvy Spender: Simple, Smart Ways to Make the Most of Your Credit Cards With their vast array of special perks and member benefits, credit cards are an appealing financing option for modern consumers ...
read more4 Things You Need To Know When Buying A Vacation Home
June 28, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Everyone looks forward to a vacation, and many people return to their favorite spot each year. If you really enjoy your annual destination, you might be ready to invest in a vacation home. There are m ...
read moreGathering the Money for a Down Payment in Two Years or Less
June 14, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Whether you are looking to purchase a home in the next two years or you intend to wait another five, you must find a way to save up enough money to use for a down payment. Without the money to make a ...
read more3 Simple Updates to Help Sell Your Home Fast
May 24, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
If you're getting ready to sell your home, you may be wondering what you can do to help it sell quickly. How can you make your home more appealing without investing a lot of time or money? The answer ...
read moreHome Buying 101 - Why the Relationship with Your Broker Should Be a Positive Partnership
May 10, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Whether you are looking for your first home or moving up to the home of your dreams, having an experienced real estate broker or agent in your corner is a must. Real estate is a very specialized indus ...
read moreGetting Your Whole Family on Board When Selling Your Home
April 26, 2017 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
If you are selling your home, this can be a challenge when you are in charge of getting your family on board as well. Selling a home with kids has its own challenges, but it isn't impossible. Here are ...
read more2 Out of 3 Don't Shop at Renewal
January 26, 2012 | Posted by: Derek MacLean
Every now and then we see a mortgage stat that’s a jaw-dropper. This finding from Manulife Bank is one of them. It suggests there are a lot more people with money to burn than one might expect. ...
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