As April blossoms forth, signs of renewal are all around us. Though inflation and the specter of higher interest rates linger, there's hope in the air. Forecasters predict a gradual upturn in the residential real estate market, with more new constructions and existing homes hitting the market throughout 2024, akin to buds bursting into bloom. Moreover, consumers may find relief in their finances following the recent decision by the CFPB to rein in bank overdraft fees and credit card late payment charges, promising a brighter financial landscape ahead.
Last month saw the start of the Lunar New Year, which is the Year of the Dragon. It's an auspicious year, as it's believed that children born this year are destined for success. Some famous Dragon babies: Keanu Reeves, Rihanna, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, John Lennon and Peyton Manning.
We know the story: Part of you is thinking about homeownership, but another part is unsure whether you’ll qualify as a first-time homebuyer. The mortgage process can seem intimidating the first time around, which is completely understandable. You haven’t owned a home before!
We know you know that buying a house is a major investment—one that can pay off in more ways than one, but still a major investment. This can weigh on a first-time homebuyer who has never made such a large financial commitment.
One of the biggest hurdles for many first-time homebuyers is getting that down payment together. We understand, especially if you’re trying to scrape together 20% of a home’s purchase price [insert large gulp here].
Many would-be homebuyers are feeling the pinch from rising interest rates, but you don’t have to! APM has buydown options to help you reduce your mortgage interest rate and get you the lowest monthly payments possible.
Interest rate buydowns are the key to lower interest rates, a smaller monthly mortgage payment, and saving you money.
It's the month of love and we wanted to share some financial love with you in celebration! Below are some articles about smart money moves, buying investment properties (hint: down payment requirements have changed!), and ways to save in filing your taxes this year. We even included a delicious salmon recipe if you're feeling like a spring meal!
Are you having a rough time finding the exact home that meets your vision? Then building your dream home may be the right strategy for you. A custom home can take a few forms.
This label encompasses everything from buying a newly built home that allows for a few customized home plans to hiring a custom home builder who can tailor every plank, light switch, and master bedroom angle to your exact specifications.
As we move through January, we've been reflecting on the enduring values championed by Martin Luther King Jr.
New year, new goals, right? When it comes to personal goal-setting, creating financial goals can be one of the most meaningful things you can do for yourself and your family.
Before you go too far down the house-hunting rabbit hole, you’ll want to ensure that you meet the credit score requirements to secure a mortgage loan. After all, this mortgage loan will allow you to purchase your dream home. And while many factors go into qualifying, a good credit score is definitely one of them.
Now that the holidays are behind us, it’s time to put those New Year’s resolutions into full effect. If yours include financial goals like saving for retirement, paying off student loan debt, or buying a home, then read on for some solid financial planning advice, and make sure to download our personal budgeting guide here.
The new year is a great time to think about budgeting for homeownership. When you do this correctly, you can get into your own home more quickly than you might expect.
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.
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.
Just as we prioritize our physical well-being with annual checkups with our doctors, it’s important to take a moment each year to assess our financial health. One of the essential financial checkups is the annual mortgage review.
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.
Getting a jumbo VA loan, which is a type of VA-backed home loan, offers several great advantages for eligible veterans and their surviving spouses. While there isn’t technically a jumbo VA loan (all VA loans are treated similarly, regardless of loan amount), it’s common to think of the larger loans to be “jumbo” for the sake of discussion.
