Author Archives: Site Administrator
What Is RESPA?
RESPA stands for the Federal Real Estate Settlement Procedures Act. This video tells you about it all. RESPA requires lenders to disclose information to potential customers throughout the mortgage process. By doing so, it protects borrowers from abuses by lending institutions. RESPA mandates that lenders fully inform borrowers about all closing costs, lender servicing… Read More »
What Costs or Fees Are Associated With Loan Origination?
Yes, loan origination involves costs and fees. As you’ll see in the video, when you turn in your application you’ll be required to pay a loan application fee to cover the costs of underwriting the loan. This fee pays for the home appraisal a copy of your credit report and any additional charges that… Read More »
How Do I Choose The Best Loan Program For Me?
The video puts this in more visual terms, but your personal situation will determine the best kind of loan for you. By asking yourself a few questions, you can help narrow your search among the many options available and discover which loan suits you best. Do you expect your finances to change over the… Read More »
How Can I Improve My Home’s Value?
Buyers generally seek the least expensive home in the best neighborhood they can handle. Like the guy in the video says, you want to present a home that fits in the neighborhood but doesn’t stand out too much. For example if neighbors are all 4 bedrooms, 3 baths and 3000 square feet additions that… Read More »
What Is A Counter-Offer?
The video puts this in more visual terms, but basically, a seller can respond to a buyer’s offer with changes – a “counter” – that improves the terms. You need to put yourself in their shoes and construct a modified offer that you think they might take that meets more of your needs. Then… Read More »
How Do I Evaluate An Offer?
Well, as this story shows, there’s more to an offer than the price tag. Factors you should consider: Is this offer at, near or above my asking price? Are there clauses and additions in their offer that change the terms and final price substantially? How long since I had another offer, or expect another… Read More »
What Details Can I Ask Brokers In Advance?
This video tells you what any real estate professional would tell you. Ask them: How long do homes in my neighborhood currently stay on the market? How would you price my home? What data did you use to arrive at that price? How would you market my home? What activities would you expect of… Read More »
Why Use A REALTOR®
A state license is required to sell real estate. But roughly half of those licensed take the additional step of becoming a REALTOR®. As we show you in this video, only members of the National Association of Realtors – NAR – are entitled to use that registered trademark and call themselves a REALTOR®. As… Read More »
What Is Mortgage Insurance?
Like the video shows, mortgage insurance is a policy that protects lenders against some or most of the losses that result from defaults on home mortgages. Like home or auto insurance, mortgage insurance requires payment of a premium, is for protection against loss, and is used in the event of an emergency. If a… Read More »
What Is A Loan Estimate And How Does It Help Me?
A loan estimate lists your loan terms projected payments, costs at closing measures for comparison, including Annual Percentage Rate and Total Interest Percentage and other considerations that lender may apply to this loan application. Each lender must supply a loan estimate within three business days of your application so that you can make accurate… Read More »
