Prepaying Your Mortgage
Paying off your mortgage can provide peace of mind and is a worthy goal but is it the best thing for you to do at this time. Do you have higher interest rate debt currently? If you have credit card debt with double-digit rates or personal, car or student loans, you’ll probably save more money from interest by paying these things off before you pay off your mortgage which is usually one of the lower rates on debt. Many financial advisors recommend funding your annual retirement contribution before paying down a mortgage. If your company offers matching funds for your contribution, you...
Read MoreFirst Time Buyers look to 203k Loans
It’s been said that if you can find a home that has most of what you want, you should go ahead and purchase it. Many first-time buyers are using everything they have for a down payment and closing costs and would have to “live” with the less than perfect home until they can save the money to make the changes. The FHA 203(k) mortgage allows a borrower to purchase a home and provides additional funds for improvements to be made. These types of renovations can include kitchen and bathroom remodels, flooring, plumbing, heating and air conditioning systems, additions and other...
Read MoreDown Payment Assistance
Down Payment Assistance in Tampa Bay I believe so strongly in down payment assistance as being a vehicle to get renters into home ownership. Being a teacher in Tampa Bay for first time home buyers over the years, I have stressed home ownership as being a way to get ahead in life. You and I know that renting is throwing away money. I think back to just last January, when I held some classes at my office for first time home buyers. People mentioned that prices were going up. Now here we are a year later and 10% increases in home prices from 2017 are typical. In addition to home value...
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