Overpay On Your Mortgage Or Add To Your Savings, This Is The Question

So you find yourself with a little bit of extra money – perhaps due to a raise, an inheritance or an unexpected windfall? Should you put all of your money toward paying down the mortgage on your home? Or would you be better off placing your extra cash into a savings account? Deciding whether to pay down your mortgage or add to your savings is a complex choice and it depends on a number of factors in your personal financial situation. Here are some of the things that you will need to consider when making the decision: How Much Are…
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Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac, How They Impact Real Estate

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have been in the news quite a bit over the past few years, so it's a good time to do a refresher on who they are and what role they play in the real estate market. Who Are Fannie Mae And Freddie Mac? Fannie Mae is the Federal National Mortgage Association. Freddie Mac is the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation. They were originally created to raise homeownership levels and increase the availability of affordable housing. Fannie and Freddie don't sell mortgages directly to homeowners. They buy mortgages from lenders, so the lenders can use the…
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Pros And Cons Of Adjustable Rate Mortgages

When you are in the market for a new home, you may be faced with numerous options for financing your home. One of the choices you will have to make is whether to apply for a fixed or adjustable rate mortgage. In some cases, an adjustable rate mortgage may be your best option, but keep in mind, they are not the answer for everyone. Adjustable rate mortgages can be risky for some borrowers and it's important to understand both the pros and cons. When To Consider An Adjustable Rate Mortgage Perhaps one of the best things about ARMs is they…
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The Pros And Cons Of Making Biweekly Mortgage Payments

Have you ever considered paying off the mortgage on your home in two biweekly payments rather than one monthly payment? It might seem like this wouldn't make a difference, but the truth is that biweekly payments really do add up more quickly. Since there are 52 weeks in a year you will end up making 26 payments in total – which is equal to 13 months rather than 12. This means that your mortgage will be paid off more quickly and you will save money on interest payments in the long run. This arrangement might be the best for you…
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