203K Loans For Multi Units
For some buyers they may want to purchase a multi-family residence so that they may have renters pay for some of their mortgage. Some possible problems to this scenario may be renovation costs... »
Home Buying Tips
11 Poisonous Plants in Home Gardens
There's no denying their beauty, but if these plants are ingested, or in some cases merely touched, reactions can range from discomfort to death. It pays to know these potentially poisonous plants, so... »
Having Trouble Saving For A Down Payment? Follow These Easy Money Saving Tips!
Many potential home buyers are more than capable of making their monthly mortgage payment, but lack the savings necessary for the minimum down payment to purchase the home of their dreams. While there are... »
J.D. Power Survey Shows Many Home Buyers Unhappy With Their Mortgage Lender
The purchase of a home is most likely the largest financial decision many people will ever make. Because of this, the HomeBridge team takes being your partner in home buying very seriously. According to... »
Extraordinary Closing Costs for Extraordinary People With Homes For Heroes
HomeBridge Financial Services and The Jamie Zeitz Team’s mission is to provide extraordinary savings to heroes who provide extraordinary services to our nation and our communities every day! Homes for Heroes, Inc. is the largest... »
How Can I Afford To Pay For The Repairs And Upgrades To The Home I’m Buying?
A recent success story from Jennifer C. – a new Raving Fan of The Jamie Zeitz Team at HomeBridge Financial Services! Jennifer, a new home buyer, started her search in a challenging inventory market and... »
Getting a Home Mortgage with Credit Issues
So, you are thinking about buying a home and are concerned that your credit may hold you back from your dream of home ownership. Well you are not alone; the number one reason... »
The Right Pro for the Job
Whether buying a fixer-upper or updating their home to sell, clients may be interested in home renovations. If it's their first renovation-rodeo, give them some guidance on where to start when hiring a... »
MortgageSMART
The Five Stages of Grief – don’t have to be your experience in choosing a Home Mortgage. Denial: “This can’t be happening to me.” Anger: “Why is this happening? Who is to blame?” Bargaining: “Make this not happen - in... »
BEWARE! – The HERO Program can affect a VA Home Loan and the Sale of your Home
What is the Hero Program? HERO stands for Home Energy Renovation Opportunity. This is a program that provides financing for any energy improvements made to your house such as solar, windows, plumbing, etc. This... »
FHA Reducing Annual Insurance Premiums
As the nation’s housing market continues to improve, U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro announced today the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) will reduce the annual premiums most borrowers will pay by... »
The FHA 203(k) Loan: Your Secret Weapon
The FHA 203(k) is an often overlooked option when it comes to mortgage financing. This is a mortgage loan that allows you to purchase a home and finance in the renovation costs at... »
Home Buying Secrets – Off-Season Home Shopping
As we’ve noted before, there was a substantial drop in mortgage rates this past summer. If you were ready to buy, you should have been able to take advantage of some very low and... »
Don’t Let Colder Temps Cause Your Home Ownership Dreams To Hibernate
Historically, summer is the time when most people are looking to buy and sell real estate. As you may have heard, there was an unexpected and significant drop in rates this summer, which was... »
Six Ways to Foil Hackers, Phishers and Pushy Marketers
Update software. The latest computer, smartphone and apps software is the most secure. Update now and choose ‘Update Automatically’ in Settings. Update your WiFi router on its app or Web setup page. Strengthen passwords. Make them... »
Five Money Saving Tips for Future Home Buyers
Many potential buyers are shocked to find out that they actually will save money by purchasing a home versus renting one from someone else. In addition to building equity, there are multiple tax... »
How to Get Your Dream Home with the FNMA HomeStyle Loan!
How to Get Your Dream Home with the FNMA HomeStyle Loan! Have you ever walked into home and said, “This house is perfect except…?” You may love the school district, the location, the size... »
Millennials And Mortgages: Fixer Upper Loans Are The Housing Industry’s Best Kept Secret
When it comes to the mortgage needs of millennials, regardless of where they live, one of the things our associates consistently hear is that many of these first-time buyers are having a hard... »
Don’t Let Rising Prices Sink Your Home Ownership Dreams
Many experts are predicting home prices will rise over the next year. While that is good news for current home owners, it is a negative for renters on the fence about buying their first... »
Military Families, Reservists, and Veterans Could Be Missing Out on Affordable Homes
HomeBridge has branches across the country, and while each area we serve has its own unique needs, the one common topic we often see is the difficulty some home buyers have with saving... »
5 Reasons Your Real Estate Agent Wants You To Be Pre-Approved
When you call your agent for the first time to ask about a home you’re interested in, they’ll probably ask you several questions to get to know you better. The most important question... »
18 Genius Home Hacks
Rain Gutters as Shelving. Mount pre-painted roof gutters on walls in kids’ rooms to display books and small toys. Marker Caddy. Cover a shoe box in attractive wrapping paper and fill with empty toilet paper rolls... »
Four Questions For Hesitant Home Buyers
It’s completely normal to have some hesitation when you start thinking about buying a home. The purchase of a home is the largest financial decision most people will ever make and it would... »
Renovation Lending: Fact or Fiction
Fact or Fiction: My understanding is that renovation loans are only for buyers looking to buy houses in bad shape or properties considered “handyman specials.” FICTION! Although it is true that renovation loans can be... »
10 Tricks for Great Smartphone Pictures
With 68% of Americans now owning one, the smartphone has become the go-to camera for most people. Here are 10 tips for better smartphone pictures. Steady as she goes. Keep the phone still when shooting.... »
Take a home inventory now, and be ready if disaster strikes!
Homeowners insurance covers the cost (minus deductible) of repairing or replacing your home if it’s hit with a disaster. It also covers the cost to replace the things in your home that were... »
Home Buying Tips – Take The ‘Smart’ Out Of Your Smart Phone
Many of us live and die by our smart phones and access to the Internet. We use them for driving directions, to check emails for work, keeping in touch with friends and to... »
NAR Annual Profile of Home Buyers and Home Sellers: Why is this important to ME and YOU? Pt.1
The National Association of Realtors (NAR) has been publishing the results of its annual “Profile of Home Buyers and Sellers” survey since 1981. I have been following this report since the mid-2000s. So what... »
The Best Time to Buy 15 Big Ticket Items
Consumers can see big savings by buying high priced items at the right time. Here’s what the shopping experts say... Airline Tickets You’ll get the lowest price for a domestic flight approximately 47 days... »
Coming Clean On Your Mortgage
Speed is key in today’s real estate market. In many parts of the country, the number of desirable homes for sale is limited. Unlike what happens at your local supermarket, you can’t bet on... »
Six Financial Benefits of Home Ownership
Beyond owning a great place to live, home ownership has some appealing financial benefits. Home Ownership Builds Wealth. Owning a home can be a very good way to create wealth over the long term. Buy... »
Research home design trends that are long-lasting, and not just fads
When redecorating or remodeling, it’s easy to get caught up in the latest trends. Do a little research to see which ones aren’t just fads. Seek out online experts and ask people working... »
Buying A Home After Bankruptcy
Sometimes bad things happen to good people. Even the most financially responsible people can go through tough times, leading them to bankruptcy, a foreclosure or having to go through a short sale of... »
Home Buying Lessons From The Property Brothers!
While reality television sometimes lacks in the reality department, the HomeBridge team happens to be big fans of the Property Brothers on HGTV. Wondering why? The problems people face on the Property Brothers are actually very common in... »
There’s loads of home design help in store for you!
When you're thinking about upgrading your home - whether it’s buying new furniture or redoing an entire kitchen or bath - it’s great to use a professional designer. But if your budget doesn’t... »
What 4 things should you look for with a renter?
Today, many homeowners are landlords. Some rent rather than sell the home they're leaving. Others rent in-law apartments or rooms for extra income. Still others buy vacation or retirement homes and rent them... »
What is that home’s “walkability” index?
Many homebuyers today want a "walkable" place to live. That means a home in a location where you don't have to get in your car to go to restaurants, shops, movies, family, friends,... »
2015: The Year to Buy a House
Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro tells CNN Money's Christine Romans why more people will be able to buy homes this year, and why that doesn't mean another housing bubble. Click here to... »
5 Things to Fix Before Listing Your Property
A recent survey found that sellers boost their home's value more cost effectively with minor improvements than with big remodeling jobs. Here are five things that deliver the most value: 1. Improve the curb... »
Five Reasons 2015 is a Good Year to Buy or Sell a Home
Housing market analysts are saying now is a good time to buy or sell a home. Here's why: 1. Mortgage rates still near historical lows.Remember, interest rates can be extremely volatile, so check with... »