Home Buyers Guide: Do’s and Don’ts Having been in this business for over two decades, I have seen it all. No matter how experienced, even the most seasoned home buyers can use a refresher on the home buying process. Besides, it’s my passion to help you manage what could possibly be one of the largest […]
Homestead Exemption Frequently Asked Questions It’s Homestead Exemption time. For those of you who made primary home purchase in 2014 or moved your homestead in 2014? Don’t wait! It’s time to reap the tax benefits for your new home. What is a general homestead exemption? According to the Travis County Appraisal District: The general homestead […]
Home Renovation Financing In the spring, homeowners get the urge to clean things up and change things around the house. Maybe you find yourself with the itch to remodel or do a home renovation for your house or investment property. Can I Borrow Money to Renovate My House? I field calls and emails daily from […]
Investment Properties in Austin Investment property loans are a great way to start investing in real estate. As you may be aware, now is a great time to invest in the Austin area! A recent post in Forbes, Austin was ranked as the number one city to invest in 2015: See Best Buy Cities: Where To […]
FHA Reduces Mortgage Insurance Premium Due to the improving housing market, U.S. Housing and Urban Development announced that the Federal Housing Administration FHA will reduce FHA mortgage insurance, a common annual insurance premiums from 1.35 to .85 percent. “So what.” you say? Let’s just take a quick look at the numbers: FHA mortgage insurance doesn’t […]
Rent or Buy? Rent or buy a home? This is a common consideration for most people who moving to a new town, or who have become employed with a stable income or who are simply tired of renting. Whether you are at your parent’s house, sharing an apartment or renting a house, renting has many advantages: flexibility, […]
Consider A Recast Rather Than Refinance Want to apply a large amount of money towards the principal of your loan yet do not want to reset the loan for another 30 years? The answer may be recasting. What is a recast? A recast is not a mortgage refinance. When you recast your loan, you apply […]
FHA Mortgages and Property Flips The guidelines for FHA home loans and property flips have recently changed. The date HUD uses is the Settlement Date on the seller’s HUD-1. Starting in January, to avoid the 90-day rule, a buyer has to apply for the loan on the 91st day from the HUD-1 Settlement Date. Also, buyers […]
Is It Time to Refinance Your Home? They say autumn ushers in changes. In our financial markets, October has always been a volatile month, and October 2014 definitely meets the criteria! We’ve seen the Dow swing from lows to highs. We’ve had obscure messages from the Fed. Likewise, interest rates are the lowest we’ve seen […]
Buying Your Home: Do’s and Don’ts
/in Home Loans, Mortgage Tips /by Joel RichardsonHome Buyers Guide: Do’s and Don’ts Having been in this business for over two decades, I have seen it all. No matter how experienced, even the most seasoned home buyers can use a refresher on the home buying process. Besides, it’s my passion to help you manage what could possibly be one of the largest […]
Homestead Exemption
/0 Comments/in Homeowner Tips /by Joel RichardsonHomestead Exemption Frequently Asked Questions It’s Homestead Exemption time. For those of you who made primary home purchase in 2014 or moved your homestead in 2014? Don’t wait! It’s time to reap the tax benefits for your new home. What is a general homestead exemption? According to the Travis County Appraisal District: The general homestead […]
Are You Planning a Spring Spruce Up?
/2 Comments/in Homeowner Tips /by Joel RichardsonHome Renovation Financing In the spring, homeowners get the urge to clean things up and change things around the house. Maybe you find yourself with the itch to remodel or do a home renovation for your house or investment property. Can I Borrow Money to Renovate My House? I field calls and emails daily from […]
Austin Investment Properties
/in Austin Life /by Joel RichardsonInvestment Properties in Austin Investment property loans are a great way to start investing in real estate. As you may be aware, now is a great time to invest in the Austin area! A recent post in Forbes, Austin was ranked as the number one city to invest in 2015: See Best Buy Cities: Where To […]
FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium Reduction
/0 Comments/in Austin Mortgage Updates /by Joel RichardsonFHA Reduces Mortgage Insurance Premium Due to the improving housing market, U.S. Housing and Urban Development announced that the Federal Housing Administration FHA will reduce FHA mortgage insurance, a common annual insurance premiums from 1.35 to .85 percent. “So what.” you say? Let’s just take a quick look at the numbers: FHA mortgage insurance doesn’t […]
Rent or Buy A Home? Austin Mortgage Pro Helps Answer
/0 Comments/in Mortgage Tips /by Joel RichardsonRent or Buy? Rent or buy a home? This is a common consideration for most people who moving to a new town, or who have become employed with a stable income or who are simply tired of renting. Whether you are at your parent’s house, sharing an apartment or renting a house, renting has many advantages: flexibility, […]
Got Cash? Recast Rather Than Mortgage Refinance
/0 Comments/in Mortgage Tips /by Joel RichardsonConsider A Recast Rather Than Refinance Want to apply a large amount of money towards the principal of your loan yet do not want to reset the loan for another 30 years? The answer may be recasting. What is a recast? A recast is not a mortgage refinance. When you recast your loan, you apply […]
Changes in FHA Mortgages to Impact Property Flips
/0 Comments/in Mortgage Tips /by Joel RichardsonFHA Mortgages and Property Flips The guidelines for FHA home loans and property flips have recently changed. The date HUD uses is the Settlement Date on the seller’s HUD-1. Starting in January, to avoid the 90-day rule, a buyer has to apply for the loan on the 91st day from the HUD-1 Settlement Date. Also, buyers […]
All Aboard the Home Refinance Train!
/0 Comments/in Mortgage Tips /by Joel RichardsonIs It Time to Refinance Your Home? They say autumn ushers in changes. In our financial markets, October has always been a volatile month, and October 2014 definitely meets the criteria! We’ve seen the Dow swing from lows to highs. We’ve had obscure messages from the Fed. Likewise, interest rates are the lowest we’ve seen […]