30 Jan 2019
By Fred Gruber

Is a Hard Money Loan the Right Strategy for You?

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When used as a part of an effective real estate investment strategy, hard money loans are an excellent tool to quickly increase holdings without risking existing properties. However, these loans aren't for everyone. What investors get the most value from hard money loans? Investors With Less-Than-Stellar Credit Investors with credit challenges can qualify more easily for hard money loans. That's because these loans aren't based on the borrower. While you will have to prove a measure of creditworthiness, hard money lenders are more interested in the property you plan to buy. If you default on your payments, the lending bank…
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10 Jan 2019
By Fred Gruber

3 Tips To Save For A Down Payment

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Saving up for a down payment can feel overwhelming. Most people have never saved up the kind of money it takes for a down payment. It can be done, though. The goal is to put 20% down on a house. This is what it takes if you don't want to have to pay private mortgage insurance every month. However, you don't have to absolutely put 20% down. Some mortgage programs, such as VA and FHA loans, let borrowers put down as little as zero down or about 3.5% down. There are extra requirements with any kind of mortgage you get,…
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30 Nov 2018
By Fred Gruber

Home Buying Power Remains In Motion Depsite Rising Mortgage Rates

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The real estate market does not occupy a space outside the laws of physics. As Sir Isaac Newton so aptly theorized, "For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction." When applying the English physicist's Third Law to today's rising mortgage rates, anticipating the reaction can be valuable information if you are planning to buy or sell a home or commercial property. At first blush, residential home buyers and commercial property investors might expect the "opposite" reaction to impact buying power negatively. The initial data might lead many to believe that premise. How Home Buyers Reacted To Rate Hikes…
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28 Nov 2018
By Fred Gruber

Mortgage Challenges For Self-Employed Home Buyers

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It's no secret that mortgage lending institutions look favorably on steady paychecks and positive debt-to-income ratios. That can leave many self-employed prospective home buyers feeling anxious about getting approved for a mortgage. But just like the 9-to-5ers who get regular paychecks, self-employed people earning a good living can get approved with a little due diligence. The primary concern of mortgage lenders is not necessarily where your revenue comes from, it's confidence that you can meet the monthly obligations. A lender probably wouldn't see a significant difference between someone who was paid every two weeks and another paid monthly. Why should…
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30 Oct 2018
By Fred Gruber

Real Estate Crowdfunding Investment Is Trending

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Although the real estate market is currently booming, the last housing bubble burst remains relatively fresh in investors' minds and that has many taking a long look at crowdfunding. One of the lessons that came out of the burst and ensuing Great Recession was that investors were blind to where their money went. If you watched the Academy Award-winning film "The Big Short," then you at least understand Hollywood's hyperbolic explanation of the subprime mortgage crisis. You may be asking: what does this have to do with real estate crowdfunding real investing? Well, everything. Among the key reasons that the…
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25 Oct 2018
By Fred Gruber

3 Budgeting Tips to Help Make Your New Mortgage Payments Easier

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Buying a new home is an exciting time, but excitement can easily turn to stress if there isn't enough money to pay the monthly mortgage bill. The added expense can take some time to get used to, but there are ways to make the payments easier, especially in those first few months when money is the tightest. Prioritize The Mortgage Bill And Pay It Immediately This may seem like a counterintuitive tip for anybody looking for help making mortgage payments, but it is easily the best one and the one that provides the most trouble for homeowners. Late mortgage payments…
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16 Oct 2018
By Fred Gruber

What To Know About Specialty Mortgages

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Recent medical school graduates, saddled by high student loan debt, sometimes have a hard time qualifying for a first mortgage. Now, however, a growing number of lenders will consider future earnings potential of high earners in the medical profession as a way to offset high debt ratios. But specialty mortgages for young physicians aren't the only unique loans available today. Nationwide, there are a number of unique programs designed to help first-time buyers qualify for a mortgage loan. While some target specific professions, others are open to a wider range of applicants. They are definitely worth exploring if you're interested…
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12 Oct 2018
By Fred Gruber

U.S. Wage Increases Could Help Home Buyers

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The struggle to achieve the American homeownership dream often feels like it happens in a vacuum. Everyday people work hard, save money and polish up their credit to get a low mortgage rate. But there are powerful forces at work that are far beyond each person's control. And until recently, the gap between American wage growth and rising home prices was widening. According to data coming out of the U.S. Department of Labor, unemployment recently hit a 49-year low and wages are enjoying the greatest uptick in nearly a decade. That is good news for prospective home buyers. American Wages…
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04 Oct 2018
By Fred Gruber

Best Things To Do Now To Get Your Finances Mortgage Ready

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You probably already know that qualifying for a mortgage can be the biggest hurdle -- aside from actually finding that dream property -- along the path to home ownership. Rather than agonizing about it, however, there are some positive actions you can take in advance to help you realize your dream. Take A Close Look At Your Budget If you don't currently operate with a comprehensive household budget, get started now to analyze your income and monitor your spending habits. There's no better way to prepare for home ownership than by being realistic about how you spend your money. If…
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19 Sep 2018
By Fred Gruber

Is A Reverse Mortgage Right For You?

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Imagine the bank depositing monthly premiums into your account instead of you writing a mortgage check. That's basically how a reverse mortgage works.   Traditional mortgages involve people paying down the interest and principal on a home loan. The goal is generally to pay off the property and cruise through retirement without that monthly installment eating at your budget. With your home paid off, those previously allotted finances can be used to relax and enjoy your retirement to the fullest. That's the best-case scenario anyway. But financial life has changed significantly over the past half-century. The formula for economic security…
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