If you’re buying a house, you’ll most likely need to borrow money through a mortgage – and for many people, the right solution is a fixed-rate mortgage. But what is a fixed-rate mortgage, and why do some people choose them? What is a Fixed-Rate Mortgage? A fixed-rate mortgage is one in which your interest rate stays the same over the course of your loan. Your interest rate won’t go up, and neither will your payments, so you’ll always know how much to budget, whether you have a 10-year, … Continue reading...
What is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?
If you’re thinking about buying a house, you need to know that there are several types of mortgages available for consumers – and one of them is an adjustable-rate mortgage. But what’s an adjustable rate mortgage, and why do some people choose them? What is an Adjustable Rate Mortgage? An adjustable-rate mortgage (commonly called an ARM) is one in which your interest rate changes throughout the life of your loan. Usually, there’s a fixed-rate period (usually 5, 7 or 10 years) during which … Continue reading...
How Does an FHA Loan Work?
FHA loans have plenty of benefits that most people aren’t even aware exist – and that means they’re missing out on what could be the ideal financing option to buy a home for sale in Charlotte. Whether you’re buying a house for sale in Matthews, a Mint Hill home for sale, or a house for sale in Weddington, you could qualify for an FHA loan. How Does an FHA Loan Work? An FHA loan doesn’t actually come from the Federal Housing Administration. Instead, like VA loans, the FHA guarantees the loan … Continue reading...
Let’s Talk About VA Loans
A VA loan is one of the best lending options for many people – but the catch is that you must be an honorably discharged veteran of the U.S. Armed Forces (any branch or any component), be currently serving, or be a qualified dependent to take advantage of them. Benefits of VA Loans For most people, the biggest benefit of a VA loan is that you don’t have to come up with a down payment to buy a home. You can finance 100 percent of your home purchase with this type of financing. Other benefits … Continue reading...
What is a Conventional Loan
When you’re buying a home in Charlotte or any of the surrounding communities, whether it’s a house for sale in Matthews, a Mint Hill home for sale, or a house for sale in Weddington, you’re probably going to need to borrow money from a lender by way of a mortgage. (If you're a first-time buyer or a move-up buyer, you could be eligible to buy a home with no money down and no PMI). What is a Conventional Loan? A conventional loan is what you get when you borrow money from a lender to buy … Continue reading...
What is Fannie Mae?
You have probably heard of Fannie Mae, especially in relation to the housing crisis, but do you know what Fannie Mae actually does? Fannie Mae, also known as the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA), is a government-sponsored enterprise that was created by Congress in 1938 to stimulate the housing market by making home loans more available to low- and moderate-income buyers. Fannie Mae is not a lender, so it does not provide or originate home loans to borrowers. Instead, Fannie Mae … Continue reading...
What is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage?
Buying a house is a big adventure—and so is choosing the right mortgage. That’s true whether you’re buying a home for sale in Uptown Charlotte, a single-family home for sale in Mint Hill, or even a condo in another area such as South Park or Ballantyne. In some cases, an adjustable-rate mortgage is the right choice. What is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? An adjustable-rate mortgage, unlike a fixed-rate mortgage, is commonly called an ARM. It’s a mortgage loan with an interest rate that can … Continue reading...
What is a Fixed-Rate Mortgage?
Whether you’re buying a home for sale in Uptown Charlotte, a single-family home for sale in Mint Hill, or even a condo in another area such as South Park or Ballantyne, if you’re like most people, you’ll need to take out a mortgage loan to pay for it. Mortgages—and shopping for them—can be pretty complicated, particularly when it comes to choosing the type of mortgage that’s right for you. What is a Fixed-Rate Mortgage? A fixed-rate mortgage lets you, the borrower, know exactly how much … Continue reading...
What is Amortization?
When you buy a home, whether it’s a home for sale in Uptown Charlotte, a single-family home for sale in Mint Hill, or even a condo in another area such as South Park or Ballantyne, you’re most likely going to need a mortgage loan. If that’s the case, you’re going to have to understand amortization. What is Amortization? Amortization is an accounting term that refers to what happens when you pay off a debt over time. In the case of a mortgage, part of each payment goes toward interest; the … Continue reading...
USDA Rural Mortgage Loans 101
If you’re like many people, you’ve heard of USDA homes for sale in Charlotte and the surrounding communities. But what about USDA rural mortgage loans? Do you know what they are, who can apply for them, and why they exist? What is a USDA Rural Mortgage Loan? A USDA rural mortgage loan, which used to be called the “farmers loan,” is one of only two real 100 percent financing options (the other is the VA loan). That means there’s no down payment necessary; everything you need to buy the home … Continue reading...