Our Latest Blogs
Home Buying: What is Earnest Money?
Earnest money can sweeten the deal when you are submitting an offer to buy a home. However, many first-time home buyers aren’t familiar with earnest money and how it works. Let us answer some of the most frequently asked earnest money questions for you: What is earnest money? Money that is given in earnest to show the sincerity of your offer to purchase a home, is often referred to as “earnest money.” Sometimes called a “good faith deposit”, potential home
Is Now the Best Time for a Cash-Out Home Equity Refinance?
Texas homeowners may have an advantage in the current housing market. The right conditions could make this the best time for many homeowners to consider a cash-out home equity refinance. In the past two years, and counting, we have been through a truly unique time. The financial impact of the pandemic has also been unique. Prices of goods and services have been rising as companies struggle to recover from the impact of labor restrictions, shipping delays, and availability of materials.
15 year vs. 30 year Mortgage
The differences between a 15 year and 30 year mortgage can be important to homeowners and potential home buyers. There are advantages to consider in choosing the mortgage options that best fit your needs. Although fixed rate mortgages are structured the same, adjusting the loan term to 15 or 30 years makes a difference. The loan repayment term on a mortgage can impact the interest rate and payment amount. A 15 year fixed rate mortgage often comes with a lower
Become a Homeowner in 2022
How to become a homeowner in 2022 Setting a goal to become a homeowner in 2022 is both exciting and challenging. There are a few things that make 2022 a unique time to buy a home in Texas. We look forward to helping many home buyers purchase their first home this year. In the past two years we have seen home prices rise across the state of Texas. In 2022 the housing market is likely to remain competitive for home
Custom Down Payment Savings Plan
Developing a custom down payment savings plan can be a great first step toward becoming a future homeowner. Understanding both what you need to save and setting the time you can give yourself is key to making a savings plan that is just right for you. There are a few upfront costs to buying a home, and making the down payment is usually the biggest hurdle for most first time home buyers. The good news is that you can plan
Mortgage Payment Calculator
Using a mortgage payment calculator is a great place to begin if you are thinking about buying a home or refinancing your current mortgage. An online mortgage calculator can be a great tool to estimate your potential monthly mortgage payment. Adjusting the numbers in each field can help you take a look at the numbers that factor into your mortgage payment. We have mortgage calculators that are perfect for buying a home, refinancing your current mortgage, or taking a look
Holiday Budget Planner
Holiday Budget Planner The most common reason that people over spend during the holidays, is that they don’t even think about how much they are spending. Putting a holiday budget in writing is an excellent way to organize your thoughts. This planning guide could be the best way create a financial plan for this holiday season. Why should I have a holiday budget plan? The holidays can be thrilling and it’s easy to get wrapped up in buying gifts and
How to Drop Mortgage Insurance
Do you know that you can drop mortgage insurance from your home loan? We don’t think you should be paying more for your mortgage than you have to. That’s why it’s a good idea to keep an eye on the mortgage insurance that could be structured into your loan. Dropping your mortgage insurance can save you a few thousand dollars a year on your mortgage payment. The current average premium for mortgage insurance is $215 each month. That could mean
