APM BLOG

At APM, we feel that the best way we can honor the heritage of our APM family members during Black History Month, is by listening and learning from the stories they share. 

Searching for a home can be an exciting process, but this journey can quickly get frustrating if you can’t find what you’re looking for. As we all know, buying a home involves more than just the actual real estate. You have to consider the neighborhood, surrounding amenities, outdoor space, and of course the actual home and its features. 

As we move through January, we've been reflecting on the enduring values championed by Martin Luther King Jr.

Protecting your credit score is important all the time, but even more so when you’re thinking about buying a home and need a mortgage loan. That’s because there aren’t many other times in our lives when we need a loan amount of this size.

The real estate waiting game is no fun. But with today’s high interest rate, some would-be buyers think it’s prudent to play if they want to secure the best homeownership deal. The problem with that is you miss out on homeownership opportunities today, including less competition and falling prices in many markets.

As we dive into the celebrations this month, we hope your time with loved ones is filled with laughter, and that all your dreams of peace and harmony light up your days. Cheers to a season of joy and happy moments!

Do you think owning multi-family dwellings—duplexes, triplexes, or fourplexes—is only for the 1%? Think again, because now all you need is 5%! 

As of November 18, 2023, Fannie Mae has lowered its required down payment on owner-occupied multi-family properties from between 15% and 25% to just 5%. That’s right: Five. Percent. Down.

As we gather in gratitude for the year's journey, we reflect on the steadfast spirit that binds us together. In this month's newsletter, we aim to provide you with insightful updates on the ever-evolving landscape of the mortgage industry, ensuring you stay informed and empowered in your homeownership journey.

It’s a tough market out there right now for people who are looking to buy a house. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or looking to move, the current mortgage rates and high home prices can be limiting. Many homebuyers are second-guessing whether now is the right time for them to buy.

If you or a loved one have served your country and are now looking to buy a home, you may wonder if you qualify for a VA loan.

VA mortgage loans offer tons of benefits, like no down payment requirements, no private mortgage insurance (PMI) monthly payment, and flexible underwriting guidelines.

Buying a home is full of questions. Should we? Shouldn’t we? Can I afford to? Can I afford not to? All these questions are deeply personal, which means their answers will depend on your financial situation and long-term goals. 

REACH YOUR GOALS

Snoop a Little. Find Your Next Home.

If you're planning to buy a home in a certain neighborhood—perhaps your own?—you can limit your search to online listings. Or you can rethink your strategy and become an amateur detective, locating homes that aren't yet for sale, but may go on the market in a month or two. Here are clues that tell you that a property may be for sale soon. If you're lucky, you may be first in line to discuss a purchase.

When it comes to investments, many people say it’s all about timing. While that’s good advice in theory, there’s simply no way to time the market if you’re purchasing a sizable investment like buying a house. In a perfect world, interest rates and prices would both be low—and this does happen, but not very frequently.

REACH YOUR GOALS

Tell Your Home It's Payback Time With a HELOC

Even if you bought your home recently, property prices may have boosted your amount of home equity. This is because equity is comprised of two numbers: the amount of your mortgage you've repaid, plus any rise in appraised value. If you have over 20% equity in your home, you may be able to tap into your investment with a home equity line of credit (HELOC).

It’s easy to get caught up in the fun of house hunting, but you also need to keep your eyes open for warning signs that the home you’re considering might not be a safe, sound, dependable dwelling. 

Thankfully, you can easily spot major red flags. You just have to know what to look for, have the right people on your side (hello, structural engineer, home inspector, real estate agents, and your trusted licensed pest inspector!), and go into your purchase with your eyes wide open.

The American dream is not one size fits all. Some borrowers want to purchase a second home where their family can vacation for part of the year. Buying property as a second home could mean a cabin in the mountains, a beachside bungalow, or anything in between.

Whether you're a first-time or move-up home buyer, you may be considering postponing a purchase if your area's affected by climbing home prices. Or you may be balking at today's mortgage interest rates (more about those later in this newsletter).

The 4th of July is coming up, celebrating the ratification of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. Are you looking for fun, unique activities for your Independence Day celebration this year?

You know all about fireworks shows and barbecues, so we won’t waste your time with those—but more power to you if you plan to partake! If you’re looking for even more ways to celebrate freedom while embracing the historic nature of this federal holiday, we’ve got you covered.