The Pros and Cons of Buying a Second Home to Rent

With the ever-fluctuating cost of housing, buying real estate can be one of the best investments a person can make. However, a lot of important factors can be left out of the final decision when it comes to purchasing a home as rental property. If you are taking the initial steps to invest in a second home, here are some important things to consider before you make the financial commitment. The Distance To A Destination Many people who purchase second homes to rent out choose to buy in places that are sought after, whether it's a trendy area or beachfront…
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Boomerang Home Buyers: 4 Things to Consider Before Stepping Back into Homeownership

Whether you've gone back to renting for the sake of money saving or recently downsized to a more compact space, the idea of owning a home can be a big responsibility that may require more than you're willing to give. If you're considering jumping back into the fold of home ownership, here are a few things to contemplate before re-entering the market. Is It Affordable? Many people avoid home ownership for a long time because of the high cost of a down payments and the associated property taxes and maintenance fees, but it can be easy to forget these extras…
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The Pros and Cons of Mortgage Rate Locks

If you're just jumping into the game of home purchasing, you are likely considering all of your loan options and may even have heard the term mortgage rate lock. For those who don't like to gamble, a mortgage rate lock can offer a bit of reassurance, but there are also some downsides to this type of protection. Before signing off on this, here are the details on rate locks so you can make an informed decision. What Is A Rate Lock? For many people who are buying a home in such a tumultuous market, the idea of interest rates can…
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Refinancing to Pay for Renovations? Consider the VA’s Energy Efficient Mortgage Program

Making renovations that are energy efficient is not just a great way to reduce energy output, but it's also an effective way of decreasing monthly utility costs. It serves as a one-time investment that will save money in the long run. However, renovations are costly and not everybody has the extra finances required to make energy efficient changes. This is where the VA's energy efficient mortgage (or EEM) program comes into play. The program is designed to allow veterans to apply for a new mortgage or refinance an existing one with extra funds to renovate the home to be up…
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