11 May 2016
By Mark Feder

How to Smartly Leverage Your Home Equity

Home Mortgage Tips
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. Use A Home Equity Loan Or HELOC To Pay…
Read More
04 May 2016
By Mark Feder

When is Refinancing Not a Good Idea?

Home Mortgage Tips
Refinancing your home can be a great way to reduce monthly mortgage payments or interest rates – or even pay off your debt faster. And while it is a useful tool in budgeting for millions of homeowners, a home refinance may not necessarily be useful in every situation – in fact, there are some situations where refinancing can cost you a great deal of money. So when should you skip the refinance and simply keep with the original plan? Here's what you need to know. If You've Already Paid Off Much Of Your Mortgage When you first start paying a…
Read More
03 May 2016
By Mark Feder

How to Lower Your Mortgage Interest Rate

Home Mortgage Tips
Mortgage interest rates are at historical lows right now, but they're expected to start rising soon. That's why savvy buyers are taking steps to ensure they get the best possible interest rates on the market and then lock those rates in for the long term. But even if interest rates are already low, that doesn't mean you can't reduce them further. So how can you save even more money on your monthly interest payments? Here's what you need to know. Buy Down Your Rate With Interest Points Interest points are a form of pre-paid interest that can help you to…
Read More
28 Apr 2016
By Mark Feder

The HARP Refinance Program Has Been Extended into 2016: Here’s How You Can Take Advantage

Home Mortgage Tips
With the Home Affordable Refinancing Program recently being extended until the last day of December, 2016, many homeowners who have found their assets in a challenging situation have been given a second chance to apply and receive an affordable mortgage. By taking advantage of the HARP program, eligible borrowers can refinance to the current mortgage rates on their homes while avoiding paying for private mortgage insurance or putting down the principal. A Quick Primer On The HARP Refinancing Program With the economy in a strong downturn in 2008, the value of millions of American homes plunged and the owners found…
Read More