Home Buying Tips

Read the latest blog posts from our mortgage experts, get the latest updates about the industry, tips and tricks for making your purchasing experience easy, and more!

3 Myths About Transitioning from Renter to Homeowner

Jan 9 2020

After years of rising rent prices and an inability to make your home truly yours, you’ve had enough and are ready to officially break up with your landlord. You’re ready to become a... »
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Is Buying a Home the Next Step for You? (to Buy or Not to Buy)

Dec 6 2019

For many, buying a home is a major transition in life. It’s one that comes with a long list of benefits like building long-term equity, the freedom to personalize your living space, and... »
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Fannie Mae, Freddie Mac loan limit increases to $510,400

Nov 26 2019

Chapman Lending Team at HomeBridge Financial The Federal Housing Finance Agency announced Tuesday that it is raising the conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac to more than $510,000. In most of the U.S., the 2020 maximum conforming... »
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Mortgage Mythbusting: First-Time Homebuyer Edition

Oct 21 2019

Are you on the hunt for your first home? Rethink what you’ve been told and take a look at these commonly thought of mortgage myths. MYTH: “My credit score isn’t good enough to buy... »
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How to Qualify for a Mortgage as a Self-Employed Professional

Jun 18 2019

As a self-employed business owner, you have a lot on your plate. While running a business and tending to your daily responsibilities, starting the home process might feel daunting. You may have even... »
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How to Use and Build Equity in Your Home

Jun 18 2019

If you’re like most Americans, your home will be a major source of your net worth. As you continue to pay your mortgage, you will build equity in your home, which allows for... »
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Is now the right time to refinance my home loan?

May 2 2019

As of May 2019, interest rates are the lowest they’ve been in almost 30 years. This means it’s a great time to buy a home, or in some cases, refinance. Refinancing is not... »
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Should You Use Your 401(k) to Help Purchase a Home?

May 2 2019

You may be in the process of looking for a home or you may have already gotten pre-approved. You’ve been saving for months or even years and your down payment is still short.... »
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Should I Use a Renovation Loan to Improve, Buy, or Sell My Home?

May 2 2019

You’ve decided you want to renovate your home, or maybe you have your eye set on a home that needs a little work. Great! As the biggest renovation lender in the United States,... »
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Advice for New Homebuyers from a Mortgage Industry Veteran

Apr 29 2019

According to a survey issued by Bank of the West, 69% of millennial homebuyers experienced some form of “buyer’s remorse” over their recent home purchase. Most said they wished they had been more prepared... »
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10 Reasons for Housing to Celebrate

Apr 5 2019

Spring is the peak home buying season for many parts of the country. After years of softer home sale activity — thanks to low housing inventory, affordability issues, and more — this Spring... »
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Fantasy or Reality? Setting Reasonable Expectations for Buying Your First Home

Mar 29 2019

Dreaming of owning a home is great but setting realistic expectations can help make the process that much easier. A lot happens from the day you decide to buy a new home to... »
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How Pre-approval Can Help You Secure Your Ideal Home

Mar 29 2019

In a competitive homebuying market, sellers want to sell their homes quickly to someone who will be able to buy it with no issues. A pre-approval letter is an official document explaining the... »
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The Difference Between Pre-qualification and Pre-approval

Mar 29 2019

The terms “pre-approval” and “pre-qualification” have likely come up while doing your research as a homebuyer. Understanding the differences between the two well set you up for success down your path to homeownership. Pre-qualification:... »
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Can I Afford to Buy a New Home?

Mar 29 2019

You’ve always dreamt of owning your own home. You’ve thought about it, imagined it, and now you’re seriously considering it. At this point, you may have started to research homebuying and there’s a... »
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What is a Mortgage? Why Do I Need One?

Mar 29 2019

As a first-time homebuyer, you may find yourself overwhelmed by all the things you need to know when buying a home. That’s where Homebridge comes in. We’re on a mission to make the homebuying... »
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Welcome to Homebuying 101: Beginning Your New Adventure

Mar 29 2019

Each year, thousands of people make the decision to purchase their first home. What often is seen as a daunting, complex process, is one your Homebridge team excels in. You see, we help... »
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203K Loans For Multi Units

Aug 31 2017

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... »
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11 Poisonous Plants in Home Gardens

Jul 27 2017

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... »
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Having Trouble Saving For A Down Payment? Follow These Easy Money Saving Tips!

Jul 21 2017

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... »
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J.D. Power Survey Shows Many Home Buyers Unhappy With Their Mortgage Lender

Jul 14 2017

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... »
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Extraordinary Closing Costs for Extraordinary People With Homes For Heroes

Jun 30 2017

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... »
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How Can I Afford To Pay For The Repairs And Upgrades To The Home I’m Buying?

Jun 8 2017

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 wondered... »
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Getting a Home Mortgage with Credit Issues

May 3 2017

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... »
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The Right Pro for the Job

Mar 21 2017

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... »
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MortgageSMART

Mar 6 2017

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... »
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Beware! The HERO Program Can Affect a VA Home Loan And The Sale Of Your Home

Jan 26 2017

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... »
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FHA Reducing Annual Insurance Premiums

Jan 9 2017

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... »
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The FHA 203(k) Loan: Your Secret Weapon

Oct 21 2016

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... »
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Home Buying Secrets – Off-Season Home Shopping

Oct 19 2016

While spring and summer are traditionally the times when people look to buy a home, there are many reasons why some buyers don’t begin their search until the warm weather subsides and the leaves... »
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Don’t Let Colder Temps Cause Your Home Ownership Dreams To Hibernate

Oct 12 2016

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... »
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Six Ways to Foil Hackers, Phishers and Pushy Marketers

Oct 10 2016

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... »
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Five Money Saving Tips for Future Home Buyers

Sep 30 2016

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... »
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How to Get Your Dream Home with the FNMA HomeStyle Loan!

Sep 22 2016

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... »
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Millennials And Mortgages: Fixer Upper Loans Are The Housing Industry’s Best Kept Secret

Aug 31 2016

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... »
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Don’t Let Rising Prices Sink Your Home Ownership Dreams

Jul 28 2016

Many experts are predicting home prices will rise over the next year. While that is good news for current homeowners, it is not so good news for renters on the fence about buying their... »
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Military Families, Reservists, and Veterans Could Be Missing Out on Affordable Homes

Jun 14 2016

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... »
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5 Reasons Your Real Estate Agent Wants You To Be Pre-Approved

Jun 8 2016

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... »
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18 Genius Home Hacks

Mar 22 2016

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... »
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Four Questions For Hesitant Home Buyers

Mar 2 2016

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... »
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