George Duarte

Need to Discuss – How to Refinance Your Adjustable-rate Mortgage with Better Terms

May 24, 2016 George Duarte Home Mortgage Tips Comments Off

An adjustable-rate mortgage was once a great mortgage product, at a time when home buyers wanted to avoid locking in high interest rates. But with historically low interest rates now available to millions of buyers and rates expected to rise in 2017, lots of mortgage holders are trying to find a deal and negotiate better terms before rates go up. One great way to save on mortgage costs is to refinance your adjustable-rate mortgage.

So how can you make a mortgage refinance work for you? Here are a few tactics you can use to get better terms through a refinance on your adjustable-rate mortgage.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 23, 2016

May 23, 2016 George Duarte Mortgage Rates Comments Off

Last week’s economic news included the NAHB Housing Market Index, reports on housing starts, building reports and existing home sales. Minutes of the Federal Reserve’s last FOMC meeting were also released.

3 Ikea Hacks That Can Be Done in a Weekend’s Time

May 20, 2016 George Duarte Around The Home Comments Off

Whether you’re moving into your first apartment or preparing to purchase a second home, Ikea is a favorite for those trying to economically fill up the extra space in their home. While Ikea may have plenty of inexpensive options that you might not think can be dressed up, there are actually a lot of simple pieces that you can add to for a stylish, DIY look that will take no time at all.

How Are Mortgage Rates Determined?

May 19, 2016 George Duarte Home Mortgage Tips Comments Off

If you’ve been paying attention to the mortgage rate news, you may be wondering exactly how it is banks decide what mortgage rates to offer. Do they just pick a number at random? Mortgage rates may seem somewhat arbitrary, but there’s actually something of a science to them.

So how does your bank or lender determine what your interest rate will be? Here are just some of the factors that go into the equation.

NAHB: Home Builder Confidence Holds Steady in May

May 18, 2016 George Duarte Housing Market Comments Off

The National Association of Home Builders reported that home builder confidence in the U.S. housing market conditions held steady for the fourth consecutive month in May. Builder confidence stayed at a reading of 58, which was the number expected by analysts and was also the reading for April. Analysts said that the consistency in readings signified expansion in housing markets. Any reading over 50 indicates that more builders than not are confident about market conditions.

How to Determine the Price of Your Home for Sale

May 17, 2016 George Duarte Home Seller Tips Comments Off

Many people rely on the price they paid for their home as a starting point for selling, but with the ever-shifting tides of the real estate market, the price paid is not always the best metric to go by. If you’re putting your home up for sale and are looking for the ideal price point, here are some ways you can arrive at a number that will keep potential buyers interested.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – May 16, 2016

May 16, 2016 George Duarte Mortgage Rates Comments Off

Last week’s economic news included reports on retail sales and consumer sentiment along with weekly releases on new jobless claims and mortgage rates.

‘Free Pizza for Life’ and Other Crazy Home Sales Gimmicks from Across the Nation

May 13, 2016 George Duarte Home Seller Tips Comments Off

While you may not want to take the risk of making these bold moves yourself, here are some unusual things that some people did in hopes of getting their home off the market a little sooner.

5 Uncommon Mortgage Terms You Need to Know

May 12, 2016 George Duarte Home Mortgage Tips Comments Off

When it comes to finding a new home, there are lots of complex ratios, terms, and contracts that you’ll encounter – and at times, it’ll feel like you’re trying to navigate a minefield. If you’re not careful, you may find yourself signing on for a mortgage that doesn’t suit your needs – or one that could financially ruin you. Here are five mortgage terms you may not encounter regularly that you’ll need to know when buying a home.

How to Smartly Leverage Your Home Equity

May 11, 2016 George Duarte Home Mortgage Tips Comments Off

So you’ve been a homeowner for some time. You’ve been faithfully paying off your mortgage for years, and you have a fair bit of equity built up in your home – and that makes you proud. But now, you’re wondering what good equity is if you’re not using it.

How do you actually use home equity? And how do you leverage it to get a high return for low risk? Here are just a few options you may want to consider if you’re looking for something to do with your equity.

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