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What Is Mortgage Insurance?

When it comes to putting a down payment on a house, most lenders are going to ask for 20 percent; however, some lenders will be willing to accept a smaller down payment in exchange for something else. That something else is usually mortgage insurance. If a lender says they are asking for mortgage insurance, which is also shortened to PMI, it is important for everyone to know what this means. An Overview Of PMI PMI stands for private mortgage insurance and is usually required if the borrower is putting down less than 20 percent. The lender will usually go out…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – June 22, 2020

Last week’s scheduled economic reporting included readings on U.S. Housing markets, housing starts, and building permits issued. Weekly reports on new and continuing jobless claims and mortgage rates were also released. NAHB: Builder Confidence in Housing Market Recovers in June Analysts cited slim supplies of available homes, tight housing markets, and low mortgage rates as drivers of new home sales. Builder confidence in current housing market conditions rose 21 points to an index reading of 58 in June;  builder confidence in housing market conditions in the next six months rose 22 points to 68. Builder confidence in buyer traffic in…
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Home Renovations Are On The Rise

Millennials are among the most common demographic buying homes today. According to numerous reports that have been published, many homeowners are planning on conducting a home improvement project this year. In large part, this is due to millennials wanting to improve their homes. Furthermore, home improvement projects may have bigger budgets this year when compared to prior years. It will be interesting to see what kind of home improvement projects unfold this coming year. Types Of Home Improvement Projects There are numerous renovation projects that homeowners are going to undertake this year. The most common are outdoor remodels. Many homeowners…
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Should You Buy A Home Warranty?

When you buy a new house, the first thing you want to do is protect your investment. You already have property insurance. Should you also buy a home warranty? What Is A Home Warranty? A home warranty is not the same thing as insurance. Home warranties are service contracts. If a covered item breaks down and it is covered in the terms of the warranty, the home warranty company will pay to fix or replace that item. What is Covered Under A Home Warranty? Every home warranty contract is different but generally, a home warranty may cover items like major kitchen appliances,…
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How To Tell If A Home Has Been Well-Maintained

As a homebuyer, your real estate agent will do their best bring you to see homes that meet the criteria you asked for. However, there's no guarantee that a home will have a history of being properly cared for. Your real estate agent can choose the homes you see, but they have no control over the property owner's homeownership habits. Why Home Maintenance Matters Home maintenance should matter to you as a homebuyer and later on as a homeowner. A home needs consistent and proper maintenance in order to run efficiently, and that doesn't only apply to moving parts like…
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The Most And Least Expensive Cities In America

The cost of living in America varies widely in different parts of the country. In general, it is less expensive to live in the country than in the cities. However, there are many cities where the cost of living is modest compared to others where the money needed to live there is outrageous in comparison. These rankings came from comparing the monthly cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment, utilities, the price for gasoline, and the cost of groceries. The Ten Lowest-Cost Cities For Renters From Texas and Ohio to New Mexico and Arizona, there are some nice cities in this…
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