Home Ownership Archives

Renting is Sus! Here’s Why.

Jan 17 2023

You’ve been renting for several years now. You like the location, don’t have any maintenance to worry about, and you’re working out four days a week in the fitness center. On the flip... »
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Understanding the New Jersey Police and Fire Retirement System(PFRS) Loan Program

Jan 10 2023

Jason Solowsky

Are you a police officer or firefighter in New Jersey looking to purchase a home? The good news is that there is a special mortgage program specifically designed to deliver the support that... »
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How to Bridge the Gap Between Selling and Buying – The Duvall Group

Oct 26 2022

Anne

OCTOBER 2022 HOW TO BRIDGE THE GAP BETWEEN SELLING AND BUYING Can you buy before you sell? There are many ways to bridge the gap between selling your home and buying a new one. We... »
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The Mission of Changing Homeownership

Oct 24 2022

Homebridge

At Homebridge, our vision is to make the dream of homeownership a reality for every customer, every day. One way we live that vision is by providing greater access to homebuyer education. By... »
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Why the Market Won’t Crash

Aug 19 2022

Michael Pennington

No Crash Zone. A Current Outlook on the Housing Market. By: Michael Pennington Are you concerned that the housing market will crash like it did in 2008? That the cost of homes has skyrocketed so... »
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Are 3D Printed Homes The Answer to Our Housing Issues? – The Duvall Group

Aug 15 2022

Anne

AUGUST 2022 ARE 3D PRINTED HOMES THE ANSWER TO OUR HOUSING ISSUES? A recent collaboration between Habitat for Humanity and Alquist has created the world’s first owner-occupied 3D printed home. While it might be hard... »
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HELOCs Are On The Rise

Jul 29 2022

Homebridge

So Is There a Home Equity Boom On The Horizon? As the volume of refinances fall with the rise of mortgage rates, homeowners are setting their sights on home... »
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Helping 1099 Contract Employees Buy A Home

Jul 11 2022

Homebridge

There are definite benefits to being a freelance worker or independent contractor. You’re able to set your own schedule, and you can spend only a few hours at different jobs to get a... »
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The Fed Increase: For Better Or Worse?

Jul 8 2022

Homebridge

Why Interest Rates Increase To Combat High Inflation Inflation rates are at a forty year high and consumers across the country are feeling the impact. From the higher cost of gas to higher prices... »
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Why Work With A Mortgage Team?

May 31 2022

Michael Pennington

Whether you are a Real Estate Agent or a borrower, not having the right mortgage lender could put the kibosh on your deal. If you want the right product mix, lowest rate and... »
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Non-Qualified Mortgage: Bank Statements

May 12 2022

Homebridge

You may have found your dream home, but it might remain a dream without approved financing. Bank statement loans, as the name implies, use bank statements to determine your income. They are a... »
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Benefits of Pre-Approval: Get the Upper Hand

Apr 27 2022

Homebridge

The supply of houses on the market has fallen from an average of 1.6 million units monthly in 2018 and 2019 to just over 1 million in 2021 – and the monthly figures... »
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4 Stops Along the Road to First Time Homebuying

Mar 31 2022

Homebridge

Your first time buying a home will be exciting, offering a window into the setting of your future. At Homebridge, we delight in the opportunity to help first-time homebuyers because we are reminded... »
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10 Ways to Make Your Home Energy Efficient

Mar 29 2022

Homebridge

In honor of Earth Day, consider these 10 ideas for implementing energy-efficient improvements throughout your home. Not only will these strategies benefit the environment by reducing your carbon footprint, but they will help... »
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USING GIFT FUNDS TO BUY A HOME

Feb 1 2022

Homebridge

USING GIFT FUNDS TO BUY A HOME For many homebuyers, gift funds are a needed boost to help them cover the necessary down payment on their dream home. Although it’s common practice to receive... »
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CA HOMEOWNERS: INCREASE WEALTH AND COMFORT WITH AN ACCESSORY DWELLING UNIT

Jan 19 2022

Homebridge

Ca Homeowners: Increase Wealth And Comfort With An Accessory Dwelling Unit Recent state laws have made the creation of an Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) more straightforward than ever before. Homebridge is dedicated to helping... »
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2022 VA LOAN LIMITS HAVE INCREASED

Jan 19 2022

Homebridge

2022 VA Loan Limits have increased The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) increased 2022 loan limits for potential VA homebuyers across the country! This means that active and retired military service members and their... »
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MORE PURCHASE POWER FOR HOMEBUYERS WITH NEW CONFORMING LOAN LIMITS

Jan 19 2022

Homebridge

More Purchase Power For Homebuyers With New Conforming Loan Limits New increases on conforming loan limits mean that you can expect to afford more for less when you begin shopping for a home. That’s... »
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How Does a Cash Out Refinance Work?

Jan 18 2022

Homebridge

How Does a Cash Out Refinance Work? Your home is a place of comfort and happiness – but it’s also an investment. In fact, homeownership is one of the primary ways Americans have built... »
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New Conforming Loan Limits – The Duvall Group

Jan 1 2022

Anne

JANUARY 2022 New Conforming Loan Limits The Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) recently announced 2022 conforming loan limits for Fannie Mae (FNMA) and Freddie Mac (FHLMC) loans. Limits increased for single-family homes from $548,250 to... »
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Housing Affordability: What It Really Means

Aug 19 2021

Anthony Grasst

Housing Affordability: What It Really Means In the last few years, the housing market has experienced an extreme surge in growth. Listings have flown off the market faster than buyers can get their hands... »
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5 Tips For Getting a Home Loan

May 25 2021

Homebridge

Becoming a homeowner may be one of the most rewarding experiences you'll ever have. But before you start picking out a living room set, you'll want to take a step back and start... »
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5 Factors That Make Buying a Home More Affordable

Jul 29 2020

Jamie Zeitz

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

Homebridge

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

Homebridge

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

Ben Chapman

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

Homebridge

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

Homebridge

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

Homebridge

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

Ben Chapman

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

Homebridge

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

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

Homebridge

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

Chapman Lending Team

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

Jamie Zeitz

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

Homebridge

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

Chapman Lending Team

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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10 Ways to Save for a Down Payment

Jul 21 2017

Homebridge

10 Ways to Save for a Down Payment Many potential homebuyers lack the savings for the minimum down payment needed to purchase a home. While some mortgage options require a small or even no... »
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J.D. Power Survey Shows Many Home Buyers Unhappy With Their Mortgage Lender

Jul 14 2017

Homebridge

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

Homebridge

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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