Home Ownership

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!

5 Factors In Making Buying a Home More Affordable

Jul 29 2020

Buying a home can seem overwhelming. As possibly the largest purchase you’ll ever make, you may even convince yourself that homeownership is financially beyond your reach. However, there are several factors you can... »
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How an FHA Loan Can Help You Secure Your Ideal Home

May 18 2020

In your search for the perfect place, you may have found homes in your market that are a bit out of your price range. Or, you may have found that you don’t have... »
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How Can I Afford a Home? What Are My Options?

Apr 24 2020

Factors such as student loan debt, competitive real estate markets and low housing stock relative to demand have made many people believe that homeownership is beyond their reach. These issues can make homebuying... »
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Three Factors that Affect the Move to Your Next Home

Mar 23 2020

Moving to a new home can mean grappling with second guesses and big decisions. However, your move can be made much easier if you focus on the three factors critical to the choice... »
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Rate Movements Explained

Mar 13 2020

This past week was a head-scratcher as home loan rates ticked up slightly week over week despite the 10-year Note yield hitting a historic low of 0.31% and stocks enduring heavy losses. Typically,... »
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Lowest. Rates. Ever.

Feb 28 2020

Bonds love bad news, uncertainty and fear, which are causing rates to move lower. This past week, the escalation of the coronavirus fears caused enough anxiety to push rates down to the lowest levels... »
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How to Financially Prepare for Homebuying

Feb 5 2020

Buying your first home is the biggest and arguably the most important purchase you will ever make. Preparing for that transition will require you to look at your finances in a different way.... »
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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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Loan Limits Increased For 2018

Nov 28 2017

Higher loan limits have just been announced for 2018. This is great news for anyone looking to purchase a home in the coming year. It is not yet confirmed that FHA and VA... »
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Life is not one size fits all, so your mortgage shouldn’t be either.

Aug 14 2017

HomeBridge Financial Services serves the lending needs of home buyers, real estate professionals and builders across the country. Part of that service involves offering a variety of products that fit an ever-growing pool... »
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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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Foreclosure and VA Home Loans

Jul 27 2017

Even with the great rates that a VA loan provides, unforeseen circumstances can arise where the veteran is unable to pay for their mortgage any longer. If a foreclosure seems likely the veteran... »
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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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Mortgage 411: Why Do People Use Non-Bank Mortgage Lenders?

Jul 11 2017

According to multiple news outlets, ranging from the internationally known Wall Street Journal to newer financial websites, such as Nerd Wallet, many people are turning to non-bank lenders, for their mortgage lending needs.... »
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Can a Surviving Spouse Use a VA Loan?

Jul 7 2017

The VA guidelines before 2012 stated that only spouses who died from military-related causes would be allowed to have VA benefits. Since then the VA has changed their stance on loan eligibility for... »
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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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Can You Receive Gift Funds For a VA Home Loan?

Jun 23 2017

Veterans are in a unique position when it comes to home loans. They are offered a number of great benefits such as easier qualifying, extremely competitive rates and of course zero money down. ... »
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Five Low Cost Home Improvements That Can Increase Property Value

May 17 2017

Considering selling your home in the next year or two? You may be surprised to hear that some of the simpler home improvement projects often bring the greatest return on your investment when... »
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How To Buy A Home With Little Or No Money Down!

May 17 2017

One of the major reasons potential home buyers stay out of the real estate market is the affordability of down payment and closing costs. Buying a home is one of the biggest financial purchases... »
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Three Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Start Looking for a Home

May 16 2017

There are many things to look at when deciding to buy a home. In addition to determining what you can afford (start with our mortgage calculator) and what type of loan works best for your personal... »
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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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Six Checkout Line Hacks

Apr 28 2017

It's frustrating to make your way to grocery or retail registers only to find long, winding lines that await you. And, sometimes it feels like you get stuck in the slowest one. These six... »
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Beware of These IRS Audit Triggers

Apr 19 2017

Now that tax season has come to a close, there's no better time to get organized for next year while everything is fresh in your mind. As a real estate agent, there are many... »
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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 – ESCROW…Not Scarecrow!

Mar 8 2017

When pursuing a Home Mortgage, one can become very anxious when learning about all of the costs that comprise a monthly payment. The mortgage payment is commonly believed to ONLY be comprised of... »
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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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Don’t Let Rising Prices Sink Your Home Ownership Dreams!!!

Mar 5 2017

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... »
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Six Ways to Declutter Your Countertops

Mar 1 2017

If you find yourself short on counter space, these six inventive tips can help you organize and maximize any counter in the house: On the wall. Take a look around your walls, particularly walls where... »
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Can a VA Loan Be Passed to a Spouse or Children?

Feb 16 2017

While the majority of servicemembers and veterans are eligible for a VA home Loan, what are the requirements for spouses or even children? When looking into the VA Loan eligibilty there are always... »
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A New Take on Old Tech

Feb 15 2017

It used to be that electronics and devices performed a single job. But at this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), manufacturers unveiled a host of products that expand our notions of what household... »
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You Gotta Have Heart

Feb 9 2017

February is American Heart Month, and a perfect reminder to make small changes that can have a big impact in your heart health. Heart disease is the number one cause of death in the... »
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Dessert in 6 Ingredients or Less

Feb 7 2017

Dive into dessert with these simple recipes in no time flat—all requiring six ingredients or less. Trouble-Free Tiramisu (Serves 2) 14 vanilla wafers, divided 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules 2 tablespoons hot water 2 snack-size... »
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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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Delightful December Drinks

Dec 2 2016

Even if the weather outside is not so frightful, there's nothing like curling up by a fire with a good book and a nice warm beverage. We've chosen three special concoctions perfect for... »
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Holiday Hosting Hacks

Nov 15 2016

We all love having family and friends home for the holidays, but most of us wish we could spend more time chatting than being on kitchen detail. The following time-saving tips and holiday... »
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