Lending / Financial

Buying real estate is even more challenging for those of us whose eyes glaze over at the mere mention of decimals, percentages or anything else that even hints of mathematics.


The financial aspect of purchasing the largest investment of your lifetime, though, is the most important. Nobody wants to lose money. Nobody wants to leave money on the table.


If you're in the market for information on mortgages, credit scores and interest rates, you've come to the right place. The financial and mortgage pros here at ActiveRain even tell you how to shop for and compare lenders, how to raise your credit score, how to get a mortgage after a short sale or foreclosure and how to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. Even Mom and Dad can't give the great advice you'll find here at ActiveRain.


Plan to spend some time here because ActiveRain's content library is massive. Lucky for you we've arranged it so that it's über user-friendly. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to put your finger on just the information you're looking for without having to surf a million other pages.

Recent blogs on Lending / Financial
By Melissa Thompson, I'm a real estate agent helping buyers and sellers
(Thompson Real Estate)
Do you keep hearing that buying investment properties is a great opportunity? Have you been looking into it, but aren't sure if it's something you want to do? This is common.Investing in real estate can be a great opportunity, but it can be a little scary to jump into something if you aren't sure where to begin. But it turns out that jumping in is actually the easiest part. Once you understand the advantages of investing in real estate, you'll wonder why you didn't already have properties.Here is a quick guide to why you should invest in real estate and the many benefits you'll receive. Keep reading!1. Tax BenefitsThere are numerous tax advantages to owning investment properties, including the ability to deduct mortgage interest, property taxes, and many of the operating expenses associ...
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By Bob Elliot, 20+ Yrs Industry Experience
(eXp Realty)
If you are interested in purchasing a home, how much money should you put down? This is a difficult question that all potential homeowners need to answer, as it will dictate the size and location of the house you can afford. There are a number of factors to consider, so what do you need to know? Generally, Putting More Down Is BetterThere is a solid chance that a home loan is going to be the largest loan you will ever take out in your life. Therefore, there is some risk involved, and you must make sure you can pay it back. You can reduce the risk you take on by putting more money down. That way, you don't necessarily have to take out such a large loan, and your lender may provide you with a lower interest rate. This could save you thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.First-Tim...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
This is an excellent post with great information. Thanks for sharing it.Have a super fantastic week!Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP Many people know what a credit score is, and some know their personal score. But it has such a large impact on lifetime finances that it’s important to know more.   courtneyk / getty images NOVEMBER 11, 2022 Share this article: FacebookTwitterLinkedInPrintShare Credit Scores: How Are They Calculated? By Adriana Morga NEW YORK (AP) – You know credit scores exist. You might even know what yours is. But do you know how it’s calculated and why it’s important? Your credit score affects whether you can get a credit card, rent an apartment, buy a house, start a business, or even get a cell phone contract. A low credit score can limit your choice of loans or determine if...
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By Bob Elliot, 20+ Yrs Industry Experience
(eXp Realty)
New Home Sales Surpass Expectations in OctoberThe Commerce Department reported higher-than-expected sales of new homes during October. New homes sold at a seasonally-adjusted annual pace of 632,000 homes sold.  Analysts expected new homes to sell at an annual pace of 570,000 sales as compared to the revised annual pace of 588,000 new home sales in September. The supply of available new homes rose by 1.50 percent between September and October and approached a nine-month supply of new homes for sale. Rising mortgage rates affected affordability for first-time and moderate-income home buyers, but average mortgage rates fell last week.Mortgage Rates Fall, Jobless Claims RiseFreddie Mac reported lower average mortgage rates last week as the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages fell ...
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By Will Hamm, "Where There's a Will, There's a Way!"
(Hamm Homes)
A Look Into the Markets   A little history about the Thanksgiving Holiday: Sarah Joseph Hale campaigned for a national Thanksgiving in the United States during the 19th century, eventually winning President Abraham Lincoln's support in 1863. He and subsequent presidents proclaimed a National Day of Thanksgiving annually for the last Thursday in November. In 1870, Congress passed legislation making Thanksgiving (along with Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Independence Day) a national holiday. On December 26, 1941, President Roosevelt issued a proclamation designating the fourth Thursday in November (which is not always the last Thursday) as Thanksgiving Day. And now, a look into the markets... "I think we can slow down from the .75% at the next meeting. I don't have a problem with that...
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By Bob Elliot, 20+ Yrs Industry Experience
(eXp Realty)
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on U.S housing markets, housing starts, and building permits issued. Data on sales of previously-owned homes were released along with weekly reports on mortgage rates and jobless claims. Builder Sentiment on Housing Markets Declines in NovemberNovember’s National Association of Home Builders Housing Market Index fell five points to an index reading of 33; analysts expected a reading of 36. November’s reading was the lowest since June 2012 except during the pandemic.All three indices contributing to the Housing Market Index were lower in November than in October. Homebuilder sentiment regarding current sales conditions fell six points to an index reading of 39; by comparison, this reading was 83 in November 2021. Builder confidence in home...
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By Joe Jackson, Clintonville and Central Ohio Real Estate Expert
(Keller Williams Capital Partners Realty)
This is an excellent post with great information. Thanks for sharing it.Have a super fantastic week!Joe Jackson, Realtor-KWCP I host a lot of open houses a week so get the chance to meet potential buyers and many bring up interest rates.  They ask what do you think will happen with interest rates, hmmm I need an answer that sounds good without making a prediction. Here is my plan: I went to Amazon and ordered a crystal ball and started researching terms and trends to build my presentation, here is my line I plan on saying while staring into my crystal ball: Interest rates are tied to many factors and most consumers see what the fed is charging for financial institutions which can affect but also can Treasury Bonds and the yields tied to the bonds which we must consider mortgage based se...
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By Nick Marr, Promoting real estate internationally
(HOMESGOFAST)
According to the Relationship for Financial Coordinated effort and Progression, the Bank of Canada would then augment loan fees despite how fast as 4.5% before the year might be out, which is essentially higher than the starter 2 - 3.5% expected by monetary trained professionals and past the Bank's 3% pay improvement guess.Canada interest rate forecast:As demonstrated by the report, more incredible canada interest rate forecast fee figures should diminish commonly increasing costs one year from now and the following. Regardless, CPI improvement will remain clumsily high, requiring the continuation of the cash-related fixing plan. This will tumble from 8.2percentage concentrates right now to 6.5percentage subjects in 2020 in the G20 monetary structures and from 6.2percentage centers this...
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By Dick Betts, REALTOR® The Villages, Florida
(TOUCHSTONE REAL ESTATE)
I host a lot of open houses a week so get the chance to meet potential buyers and many bring up interest rates.  They ask what do you think will happen with interest rates, hmmm I need an answer that sounds good without making a prediction.Here is my plan: I went to Amazon and ordered a crystal ball and started researching terms and trends to build my presentation, here is my line I plan on saying while staring into my crystal ball:Interest rates are tied to many factors and most consumers see what the fed is charging for financial institutions which can affect but also can Treasury Bonds and the yields tied to the bonds which we must consider mortgage based securities (MBS) which are bundled and sold by Fannie Mae.  The crystal ball says it expects bond yields to go down while MBS goes...
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By Michael Peron, Michael Peron, Dave Florida Real Estate
(South Florida Home Solutions)
Fees can eat away at your money if you don’t keep on top of your banks enforced regulations. U.S. consumers paid $15 billion in overdraft fees in 2016, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. Here are a few bank fees you can look out for:Overdraft FeesThese are often charged in response to bounced checks or a debit charge when the customer doesn’t have enough money in their account to cover a transaction. The average amount consumers overdraft by is about $24, according to the CFPB. But most banks charge about $34 in fees for each overdraft.To avoid these fees, don’t sign an opt-in form from your bank, which allows it to cover a transaction that you don’t have enough money for in your account. The CFPB is trying to change the consent forms for overdraft service to make th...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
I saw this article on CNBC and it made me think. Here's the title: Demand for riskier home loans is high as interest rates soar.  At first glance, a title like that sends little chills up my spine. 2008-2009 anyone? Reading the article, I found that it was filled with mortgage market jargon: "Total mortgage application volume dropped 2% last week compared with the previous week, according to the Mortgage Bankers Association's seasonally adjusted index, a consequence of surging rates. The average rate for 5/1 ARMs, which has a fixed rate for the first five years, increased slightly, but was still lower, at 5.56%. The ARM share of applications was just under 12%. When rates were lower at the start of this year, that share was barely 3%, where it had been for several years. ARMs can be fi...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
 At IPX1031, we pride ourselves on being the industry leader in 1031 expertise, service, and security. We aim to be your complete information resource and look forward to helping you and/or your clients maximize qualifying investments through a 1031 Exchange. For more information about 1031 Exchanges, our company, our complimentary 1031 Exchange webinars, or to initiate an exchange, visit our website at www.ipx1031.com or email or call today. Bottom Line Serious buyers should approach rising rates as a motivating factor to buy sooner, not a reason to wait. Waiting will cost you more in the long run. Work with a real estate professional to understand your budget and how you can be prepared to buy your home before rates climb higher.  My Home own search! How to get a Mortgage and FREE Cr...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
When a 1031 Exchange is opened in the latter part of the year, a seasonal benefit worth mentioning is “tax-straddling.” If that exchange is successfully completed, those taxpayers defer taxes to receive the benefits of the 1031 Exchange. However, if that exchange fails and is not completed, taxes will be due. The benefit for those taxpayers is that they may still qualify for a “mini-tax deferral” (via tax straddling) where they can report and pay their taxes on their 2023 tax returns instead of immediately on their 2022 tax returns. Click here to read the technical explanation of how tax straddling works. Bottom Line Serious buyers should approach rising rates as a motivating factor to buy sooner, not a reason to wait. Waiting will cost you more in the long run. Work with a real estate...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
Many people know what a credit score is, and some know their personal score. But it has such a large impact on lifetime finances that it’s important to know more.   courtneyk / getty images NOVEMBER 11, 2022 Share this article: FacebookTwitterLinkedInPrintShare Credit Scores: How Are They Calculated? By Adriana Morga NEW YORK (AP) – You know credit scores exist. You might even know what yours is. But do you know how it’s calculated and why it’s important? Your credit score affects whether you can get a credit card, rent an apartment, buy a house, start a business, or even get a cell phone contract. A low credit score can limit your choice of loans or determine if you can get one at all – and if you can, it might have a high-interest rate. “There’s a huge cost to having a low credit sco...
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By Rocky Dickerson, Superior Service!
(Realty One Group)
Refinancing a mortgage. Yes, some folks are considering that after the last year. When rates are low, it can seem like the ideal time to refinance your mortgage. After all, who doesn’t like a lower interest rate? There are lots of good reasons to refinance your mortgage, such as adding on or trying to streamline your expenses, but what’s really involved in the process? Refinancing a Mortgage: The BasicsPerhaps the best news any homeowner can get when it comes to a refi is that it’s not likely to be nearly as difficult as getting the original loan was. Breathe a big sigh of relief if you need to; this is the time for it.Many homeowners look to refinance for a few specific reasons. These may include reducing mortgage interest, dropping mortgage insurance, or cashing out for a remodeling e...
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By Shayne Stone, "Your Rock Solid Choice Realtor"
(HomeSmart)
VA Loans Can Help Veterans Achieve Their Dream of HomeownershipFor over 78 years, Veterans Affairs (VA) home loans have provided millions of veterans with the opportunity to purchase homes of their own. If you or a loved one have served, its important to understand this program and its benefits.Here are some things you should know about VA loans before you start the homebuying process.What Are VA Loans?VA home loans provide a pathway to homeownership for those who have served our nation. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs describes the program like this:VA helps Servicemembers, Veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. As part of our mission to serve you, we provide a home loan guaranty benefit and other housing-related programs to help you buy, build, repair, ret...
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By Patty Clark, Helping Families Move with Care
(Morningside Homes, LLC 720-231-5200)
  Social Security was established, on August 14, 1935, to take care of the country's elderly in their retirement years.  Today, about 65 million or 1/6 of Americans collect benefits and the average monthly retirement amount received in January 2022 was $1,614 per month or about $19,370 per year. This annual Social Security benefits exceed the 2022 Federal poverty level of $13,590 for individuals and $18, 310 for a family of two but from a practical level, it is nowhere near enough to be comfortable in your "Golden Years." Every adult in the work force, can go to SSA.gov to find out what to expect to receive based on their planned retirement age.  Since it probably won't be the amount you need to retire comfortably, at least you'll know how short you'll be so that you can devise an inves...
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By Leo Namiot - LeoLends.com, More than just great rates
(Canopy Mortgage - Leo Namiot)
Condotel Financing in Florida as an investment property - Short Term Rental Property LoanAre you looking to purchase a Condotel as an investment?Here are some of the Condotel Financing Program features;No minimum sq ft.Down to a 575 FICO ScoreMax 70% LTV.Full Doc or Bank Statement Contact me for more details and see if you qualify www.LeoLends.comGet more details: Get More Details On Condotel Loans This is not a commitment to lend, subject to underwriting approval, credit approvals, property and guidelines. 
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By Leo Namiot - LeoLends.com, More than just great rates
(Canopy Mortgage - Leo Namiot)
Thinking of investing in short term or long term rentals.No EmploymentNo Tax ReturnsNo W-2'sNo DTI RatioUp to 80% LTVCredit Scores 575 MinimumGet details @ Investment Loan Information Contact me today for more information and see if you qualify! 904-712-1500Visit LeoLends.com  Leo Namiot This is not a commitment to lend, subject to underwriting approval, property type and qualified credit.
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By Joe Petrowsky, Your Mortgage Consultant for Life
(Mortgage Consultant, Right Trac Financial Group, Inc. NMLS # 2709)
“Joe, Can you get me some business cards and will forward to my BK attorney. She said she is blown away that you were able to refinance me out of my Chapter 13. Actually, I can’t get over it either. You can’t imagine how much of a difference this refinance will make in our lives. Making nearly $2,000 monthly to the trustee was killing us, especially the cost of everything these day. My attorney told me she was not aware that someone can refinance out of a chapter 13, amazing!! I put a blurb on my Facebook page, as many of our friends know about the financial challenges over the past few years. Not sure if you get any more business out of it as few people want to discuss this kind of issue. You are truly making such a difference in our lives!!”  You would think all attorneys working in ...
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