Blog – CTeBockhorst's Blog

Smart Ways To Create Equity Within Your Home

December 10, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Smart Ways To Use The Equity In Your Home Home equity is the difference between what your home can sell for and what you owe on it. Generally, the longer you own your home, the more equity you build.

This is money you can use before you sell your home through a home equity loan. Just keep in mind that a home equity loan is secured with your home. If you can’t make the payments, you can lose your home.

Use Your Home Equity In Smart Ways:

Remodel Your Home – If you’ve wanted to add on a family room or modernize your kitchen, consider using your home’s equity to fund the project. Home improvements usually increase your home’s marketability and value.
Make Needed Major Repairs – Your home’s equity can be a funding source for major repairs like plumbing problems and re-roofs. Once again, this is an improvement for your home that will help keep its value up.
Buy Another Property – Real estate is still a safe investment. You can use your home equity to buy a second property when home values are down. When the market recovers, you can sell the investment property for a profit. This also works if you have to move out of town and are still trying to sell your home. If you can afford the payments, use your home’s equity to purchase your new home until the current one sells.
Pay For Unexpected Medical Expenses Or Job Loss – You never know when a medical emergency or job loss will leave you in debt. A home equity loan can give you the money you need to get through this difficult time.

It’s easy to build equity in your home when you find the right deal. Let me help you find your perfect home and negotiate a great price and terms for you. Contact your mortgage professional today.

What Happens at a Mortgage Loan Closing Meeting? Let’s Take a Look

December 9, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

What Happens at a Mortgage Loan Closing Meeting? Let's Take a Look So you’ve found the perfect home, the seller has accepted your offer, and now you’re just waiting for the mortgage to close before you wrap up the sale and take possession. It’s time for the closing meeting.

But what does this meeting entail? And what do you need to prepare for it? Here’s what you need to know.

The Day Prior: Walking Through The Property

24 hours before the closing meeting, you’ll be given an opportunity to walk through the property and do a final inspection. During this inspection, you’ll be able to look for any damage that may have occurred between contract and closing, which means you can negotiate repairs with the seller.

It can be a good idea to schedule your closing date around the 20th of the month, so that if you do find any problems during the walkthrough, you can address them before you take possession.

The Closing Meeting: Title Insurance, Contracts, And More

Typically, the mortgage closing and the home sale closing happen at the same time. During your closing meeting, you’ll need to sign – and bring – a variety of documents in order to take possession of the home. You’ll want to ensure that you bring your good faith estimate, proof of homeowners insurance, contract, and inspection reports to this meeting.

You’ll also want to bring any and all documents that you sent to your bank as part of the home buying process. At this meeting, you’ll discuss the sale with the seller, the seller’s agent, the representative from the title company, the closing agent, the lender, and any attorneys that may be present. By the end of the meeting, you’ll receive a variety of documents, including a deed of trust or mortgage contract and a settlement statement.

You may also be required to sign a mortgage note, which is a note that states you intend to repay the mortgage loan. This note details the terms of your mortgage, including the amount of the loan and what action the lender is entitled to take if you miss payments.

A mortgage loan closing meeting doesn’t have to be complicated. Although there’s a lot that will happen at this meeting and there are a number of documents you’ll need to bring, a qualified mortgage advisor can guide you through the process. Contact your trusted mortgage professional today for a list of what you’ll need to bring and what you can expect to happen at your closing meeting.

Tips For Selling A House During The Winter Season

December 8, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Tips For Selling A House During The Winter Season The most popular time of year to sell a home is the summer. There are a lot of families with children who prefer to move during the summer because they do not want to move their children during the school year. In contrast, many people do not like to move during the winter. It can be difficult to request extra time off of work, particularly during the holiday season. At the same time, it is still possible to sell a home during the winter. What are a few tips homeowners need to follow to sell a home during the winter?

Maximize Curb Appeal

There is never a second chance to make a first impression, and homeowners need to maximize curb appeal. Do everything possible to make the yard look nice. It is also critical to shovel the walkways. That way, potential buyers do not need to worry about slipping and falling when they walk up the front driveway. It may also be helpful to clean off the patio to make it look larger.

Warm Up The Inside

People are going to be cold when they step inside during the winter. Therefore, homeowners should turn up the heat. It may also be helpful to have a specific location for winter coats and wet shoes. That way, potential buyers will be comfortable at that look at each individual room in the home.

Add More Lights

During the winter, it is dark when people go to work. It is also dark when they come home. It might be pitch black when people arrive, so remember to turn on the lights in the home. Having lights can make the home feel more inviting. They can also increase the visibility inside and outside the home so the buyers can see what the house has to offer.

Showcase The Season

Sellers should not hesitate to showcase the season. Consider putting out a plate of cookies. Arrange pillows and blankets on the sofa. Turn on the fireplace if there is one. Even seasonal accents can make the difference when trying to get an offer on the table. Be sure to stage the home for the season to showcase the potential of a house.

Greenify Your Home with Our Guide to Conducting a DIY Energy Audit

December 7, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Greenify Your Home with Our Guide to Conducting a DIY Energy Audit The idea of conducting an energy audit on your home might seem like something complicated that should be left to the experts, but there are ways for you to make your home a little greener without consulting anybody. Instead of having someone else do the work, here are a few simple ways for you to inspect your home and green up its energy use.

Do A Candle Test Of Exterior Walls

Since cold air coming in from outside your home can impact your energy use significantly, do the simple test of taking a candle on a tour of your home to determine if there are any drafts. Ensure that you check all of the windows, doors and exterior areas where outside air can gain access; if your candle blows out or wavers, this is a surefire sign that a fix-up is needed. If you’ve located an area where air is getting in, you may need to caulk it or add insulation to remedy the problem.

Carefully Inspect The Attic

Since we rarely venture up to the attic, it can be one of the last places that we would look for a draft, but it can be one of the most vulnerable areas when it comes to insulation. Before heading up, put on a mask and some work gloves to protect yourself from the dusty surfaces, and lift up the insulation to inspect for any spaces where air could be accessing your home. If you’ve noticed gaps or places that lack coverage, fill them with additional insulation and seal it with expanding insulation for added coverage.

Don’t Take Ducts For Granted

Since ducts are made of thin metal and can easily lose heat if they are damaged or unclean, it’s important to inspect them for holes and make sure they are joined sufficiently so air is not escaping. If you’ve found an issue, you will want to replace or insulate them more effectively so that energy loss can be prevented and does not impact energy use throughout your entire home.

There are plenty of ways that your home can lose energy – from the ducts through to the exterior walls – but there are simple things you can do to test its efficiency and improve your energy use. If you happen to be doing some minor renovations so you can put your home on the market soon, you may want to contact your trusted real estate agent for more information.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – December 6, 2021

December 6, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - December 6, 2021 Last week’s economic reports included readings on home price trends, pending home sales, labor-sector readings on public and private-sector job growth. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released.

S&P Case-Shiller: Home Price Growth Slows in September

The pace of national home price growth slowed for the first time since May 2020 in September according to S&P Case-Shiller’s National Home Price Index. Year-over-year home price growth slowed by 0.30 percent to 19.50 percent from August’s year-over-year home price growth reading of 19.80 percent. Demand for homes typically slows during fall and winter; some buyers were also sidelined by affordability concerns.

The 20-City Home Price Index for September showed some changes as Phoenix, Arizona continued to hold its top spot in the index and reported a 33.10 percent gain in home prices year-over-year. Tampa, Florida held second place with a year-over-year home price growth rate of 27.70 percent. Miami, Florida reported a year-over-year home price growth rate of 25.20 percent. Western states have recently dominated home price growth rates, but Florida cities have surpassed former second and third-place cities San Diego, California, and Seattle, Washington.

Pending home sales of previously owned homes rose by 7.50 percent in October as compared to the expected pace of 0.70 percent and September’s reading of 2.40 percent fewer sales of homes for which purchase contracts were signed but sales were not yet completed. The surge in pending home sales was attributed to homebuyers’ haste to avoid expected higher mortgage rates and rapidly rising rents. The National Association of Realtors® noted that sales activity was higher than usual for fall, but also cautioned that the emergence of a new variation of the covid-19 virus could slow sales activity.

Mortgage Rates Little Changed as New Jobless Claims Rise

Freddie Mac reported minimal activity for mortgage rates last week as the average rate for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages rose by one basis point to 3.11 percent. Rates for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages averaged 2.39 percent and were three basis points lower. Interest rates for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages rose by two basis points to 2.40 percent on average. Discount points averaged 0.60 percent for fixed-rate mortgages and 0.30 percent for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages.

Initial jobless claims rose to 222,000 claims filed and fell short of the expected reading of 240,000 new claims filed. 194,000 initial jobless claims were filed during the prior week. Continuing jobless claims fell to 1.96 million ongoing claims from the prior week’s reading of 2.06 million ongoing jobless claims filed.

What’s Ahead

This week’s scheduled economic reporting includes readings on job openings and quits and the University of Michigan’s preliminary Consumer Sentiment Index. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims will also be released.

An Overview Of A Deed Of Reconveyance

December 3, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

An Overview Of A Deed Of Reconveyance When someone purchases a house, they might have to take out a loan. Because a house is expensive, most people end up with a mortgage. Some people decide to go with a 15-year mortgage while other people decide to go with a 30-year mortgage. Eventually, after all these years, someone might receive a deed of reconveyance. What does this mean, and how does it work?

Homeowners Own The House, But With a Lien

After purchasing a house, homeowners legally own the house, even if they have financing tied to a mortgage. Even if someone purchases a home with only 3.5 percent down, they own that house, but there might be a mortgage lien to it. What this means is that the mortgage has to be paid off when the house is sold. Or, the lender has to agree to a short sale. Once the loan is paid off, that mortgage lien is removed. To remove the lien, the lender will issue something called a deed of reconveyance.

How Does This Deed Work?

Laws can vary from state to state, most jurisdictions require the lender to submit a deed of reconveyance to the borrower within 30 or 60 days of the mortgage being paid off. In some cases, the lender will send the notice directly to the homeowner. Then, the homeowner has to contact the county to record it. Homeowners might be required to work with the county to get the deed of reconveyance recorded. Otherwise, they could face a penalty.

What Happens When Selling a Home?

If the mortgage has not yet been paid off and the home is sold, the proceeds from the buyer need to be used to pay off the mortgage. Then, the seller collects the money left over. Once the mortgage is paid off at closing, the title company usually handles the deed of reconveyance.

It is important for homeowners to have a deed of reconveyance if they pay off the mortgage before they sell the house. Sometimes, if the home is owned by the homeowner outright, it can make for an easier sale. This is another reason why homeowners should work with a real estate agent when they go to sell their homes.

3 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More ‘Pet Friendly’

December 2, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

3 Easy Ways to Make Your Home More 'Pet Friendly' Whether you’re moving to a new home or you have a new family pet, it can be a struggle to make the place a little friendlier for them. From the garbage can to the cupboards and doors, there can be a lot of dangers that have the ability to hurt your furry friend you might not be aware of. If you’re looking for some simple ways to make their life a little easier, here are a few things you can do.

Take Care Of The Trash

The image of dogs sifting through the trash is common for a reason, so it’s important to guard your animal against the dangers of the dustbin. In addition to taking out any perishable goods on a consistent basis, it’s a worthwhile investment to purchase a tougher trash bin that your animal can’t get into. This will ensure they won’t be able to get at foods like fruit pits, coffee grounds and chocolate, which can be very harmful to their system.

Pick The Right Flooring

If you have the choice, ceramic tile or hardwood can be a great way to alleviate the tidy-up of having a live-in pet since you can easily wipe or sweep away the damage. If this isn’t possible and carpet is your only option, stick with something that closely matches the color of your pet. As well, if you’re letting your pet on the furniture, it’s worth investing in materials like leather and suede that are more durable and easy to clean.

Give Them Their ‘Space’

You may not have to worry about cleaning up after your pet as much if you can provide them with a space that’s all their own. While it doesn’t have to be anything fancy or sprawling, providing a comfortable bed where they like to nap and a water bowl or selection of toys will do the trick in making them feel right at home. It may also have the added benefit of keeping them away from the family couch!

Many homeowners are so pre-occupied with making themselves comfortable in their family home that they forget about the animal in the family. While it won’t necessarily take much to please your pet, watching the waste and giving them their own comfortable area can go a long way in making your home pet-friendly. If you’re currently in the market for a new home, contact our trusted real estate professional for more information.

Overcoming Anxiety as a First-Time Home Buyer

December 1, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Overcoming Anxiety as a First-Time Home Buyer There are many people who are thinking about buying a home for the first time. Even though this is an exciting experience, there are also people who develop anxiety when purchasing a home. This is a major financial decision, and it is critical to get it right. What do people need to do if they want to overcome anxiety as first-time homebuyers?

Maximize The Credit Score

Before applying for a home loan, everyone should maximize their credit score. Everyone has the right to request one free credit report per year. This is an opportunity for people to take a look at their credit reports and correct any inaccuracies that might be present. The higher the credit score is, the easier it will be to qualify for a home loan. Furthermore, those with high credit scores may also qualify for lower interest rates.

Pay Down Existing Debt

It is also a solid idea for people to pay down as much of their debt as possible. Having a lot of debt can put a significant strain on resources when trying to buy a house. Car loans, auto loans, and credit card debt can make it difficult for people to afford a home. Debt consolidation may be a great way to make it easier for people to afford a home.

Safe Enough For A Down Payment

Housing prices are going up, and it might be difficult for first-time homebuyers to save enough for a down payment. Even though the traditional number is 20 percent down, it is possible for first-time homebuyers to qualify for a home loan with as little as 3.5 percent down. Remember to save enough money for closing costs as well.

Stay Under Budget

Finally, anyone purchasing a home for the first time should also stay under budget. It is critical to work with a professional who can calculate what an affordable home price might be. That way, individuals do not have to worry about falling behind on their mortgage payments. Remember that a mortgage payment is going to stay the same for the life of the loan. Therefore, as income goes up, the home should become more affordable, helping people put their anxieties at ease.

Renters Missed Out On Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars This Past Year

November 30, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

Renters Missed Out On Tens Of Thousands Of Dollars This Past Year Rent has gone up significantly during the past year. Even though it is not unusual for rent to go up over time, the average rent across the country has increased significantly during the past year. This means that the average rent will probably be even higher next year than it is this year. Even though this is one of the biggest deterrents against renting, there are other reasons to get out of the rental market as well.

Renters Stand To Lose More Money This Year

One of the biggest reasons why renters are losing so much money is that the average value of a house has gone up significantly. During the past year, the average value of a home in the United States increased by more than $50,000. This means that the average homeowner gained this amount of money in equity. Renters do not get the same benefit. Because renters are not investing any money in property, they are not seeing any return on the money they throw away in rent. This means that renters lost tens of thousands of dollars by renting this past year instead of owning.

Renting Can Be Very Expensive

A lot of people do not want to purchase a house because they are scared of maintenance expenses, property taxes, and the size of the down payment. On the other hand, renting is like throwing money down the drain. The money is going directly into the pocket of the property owner, and the renter is not seeing any sort of return on that investment. Furthermore, even though the price of renting can go up over time, many people who take out a mortgage lock in the rate for 30 years. This means the monthly payment will be the same at the end of the loan as it is at the beginning of the loan. If someone has a steady job, their income is likely to go up during the course of the mortgage, meaning that they have more financial flexibility in the future. Renters need to think carefully about what they can do to get out of the rental market and purchase property before rent increases in the future.

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – November 29, 2021

November 29, 2021 by Coleen TeBockhorst

What's Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week - November 29, 2021 Last week’s economic reporting included readings on sales of new and previously-owned homes, inflation, and weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims. President Biden announced his nomination of Federal Reserve chairman Jerome Powell for a second term. Financial markets were closed Thursday and Friday for the Thanksgiving holiday.

Single-Family Home Sales Increase in October

The Commerce Department reported sales of new homes rose in October with 745,000 new homes sold on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis. October sales fell short of the 800,000 new home sales expected by analysts but surpassed September’s reading of 742,000 new homes sold.

The National Association of Realtors® reported 6.34 million previously owned homes were sold on a seasonally-adjusted annual basis in October. Sales of previously-owned homes rose by 0.80 percent from September to October and exceeded expectations of 6.20 million sales and September’s reading of 6.29 million sales of previously-owned homes. Real estate pros said that high demand for homes and strong job growth contributed to October’s reading.

Slim inventories of homes for sale and rising home prices continued to sideline some buyers; competition with cash buyers also caused difficulties for would-be buyers who relied on mortgage loans. 6.34 million pre-owned homes were sold year-over-year in October and exceeded expectations of 6.20 million sales and September’s reading of 6.29 million pre-owned homes sold.

LawrenceYun, the chief economist at the National Association of Realtors®, said, “Inflationary pressures such as fast rising rents and increasing consumer prices may have some prospective buyers seeking the protection of a fixed consistent mortgage payment.” Rapidly rising home prices challenged would-be home buyers as the median price for a single-family home rose to $353,900 in October, which was more than 13 percent higher year-over-year. The inventory of available homes equaled September’s inventory with a 2.40 month supply of homes for sale. Real estate pros typically consider a six-month supply of homes for sale as a sign of balanced markets.

Mortgage Rates Little Changed as Jobless Claims Fall

Freddie Mac reported no change in the average rate of 3.10 percent for 30-year fixed-rate mortgages; the average rate for 15-year fixed-rate mortgages rose three basis points to 2.42 percent. The average rate for 5/1 adjustable rate mortgages fell two basis points to 2.47 percent. Discount points averaged 0.70 percent for fixed-rate mortgages and 0.30 percent for 5/1 adjustable-rate mortgages.

Initial jobless claims fell to 199,000 first-time claims filed as compared to the expected reading of 260,000 new claims filed and the prior week’s reading of 270,000 first-time jobless claims filed. 2.05 million continuing jobless claims were filed as compared to 2.11 million ongoing claims filed in the prior week.