George Duarte

3 Tips and Tricks to Make Mortgage Pre-Qualification Easy

March 15, 2016 George Duarte Home Buyer Tips Comments Off

If you’re planning to buy a home, you should know that the mortgage pre-qualification process is the first in a series of steps that eventually lead to home ownership. A pre-qualification is different from a pre-approval – the pre-qualification meeting is simply you and your lender hashing out how much you can afford to spend on a property. But once you’ve been pre-qualified, it makes the mortgage process easier.

So how can you make the pre-qualification quick and painless so you can get on with your house hunt? Here’s what you need to know.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 14, 2016

March 14, 2016 George Duarte Financial Reports Comments Off

Last week’s economic news included Fannie Mae’s Home Purchase Sentiment Index along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and new jobless claims. The City of Detroit also announced a program to help would-be buyers purchase homes that do not qualify for mortgage loans due to severe damage.

Ready to Move in to Your New Home? Not So Fast! Take Care of These 3 Items Before the Big Move

March 11, 2016 George Duarte Home Buyer Tips Comments Off

With the excitement involved in moving into a new home and all of the things that need to be done, it can be easy to forget a few important things before you load up the moving van. If the day of departure is drawing closer and you’re mulling over the final details, here are some items you may want to check off the list first.

Worried about Your FICO Score? 4 Easy Strategies to Fix It Up

March 10, 2016 George Duarte Home Buyer Tips Comments Off

If you’re worried about your bad credit, you’ll want to do everything in your power to improve your rating as quickly as possible – especially if you have a major purchase coming up. Improving your credit rating can give you access to better interest rates on mortgages or even help you to get that job you’re after.

So how can you boost your FICO score quickly and easily? Here’s what you need to know.

It Isn’t Always a Clear Road after Pre-approval: 4 Reasons Why Your Mortgage May Be Denied

March 9, 2016 George Duarte Home Buyer Tips Comments Off

So you’ve been pre-approved for a mortgage – great! You’ve taken the first step toward becoming a homeowner. But before you start picking out china patterns, you’ll want to keep in mind that a pre-approval isn’t the same thing as a mortgage agreement. There’s still no guarantee that you’ll actually get a mortgage.

But why would a lender deny a mortgage after pre-approving a borrower? Here’s what you need to know.

The Pros and Cons of A Fixed Rate Second Mortgage vs. Opening a Home Equity Line of Credit

March 8, 2016 George Duarte Home Mortgage Tips Comments Off

If you’re looking at paying off debt and are re-considering the equity in your home, here are a few things you’ll need to know about refinancing your mortgage and home equity lines of credit.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – March 7, 2016

March 7, 2016 George Duarte Financial Reports Comments Off

Last week’s scheduled economic news included reports on pending home sales, construction spending and several jobs related readings including ADP Payrolls, the government’s Non-Farm Payrolls and the national unemployment rate.

Dream Renovations: Upgrading Your Bathroom from ‘Regular’ to ‘In-Home Spa’

March 4, 2016 George Duarte Around The Home Comments Off

There are times you might long for the relaxed leisure of the spa experience, but with the cost of a manicure it’s not always a pleasure one can afford. If your current bathroom set-up isn’t the optimal place for rest and relaxation, here are some cues for how you can turn it from a bit of a problem to a consummate pleasure.

The FHA Mortgage Minimum Credit Score Has Been Reduced. Here’s What You Need to Know…

March 3, 2016 George Duarte Home Mortgage Tips Comments Off

If you haven’t heard about the changes to the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) credit score minimum, here’s some information on the recent reduction and how it may impact your home purchase.

4 Facts You Need to Know Before Setting Up a Mortgage Escrow Account

March 2, 2016 George Duarte Home Mortgage Tips Comments Off

Buying a home involves a variety of nuances and strange-sounding terms, and one of the least understood aspects of the home buying process is the escrow account. Essentially, an escrow account is a third party bank account your lender can require you to pay into in order to cover certain costs related to your home. Your lender uses an escrow account to ensure that property taxes and home insurance fees get paid on time.

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