Mortgage news, tips & tools – Page 15
The PennyMac Mortgage Blog is where you'll find unbiased, useful info to help save you money, time and peace of mind during the mortgage process. If you have a mortgage or are about to get one, we think you'll find info here you can't always get elsewhere.
07.19.17
Whether you are buying your first home or gearing up for a second purchase, you’ll be responsible for paying a variety of closing costs and other fees related to obtaining a mortgage. Generally, closing costs are paid when you sign on the dotted line for your mortgage, often at a final meeting called the “closing,” but it’s important not to overlook other costs associated with your loan.
07.05.17
“The secret is to conceal, reveal and simplify,” says Eric King, a professional landscape architect based in Atlanta, Georgia who has appeared on HGTV, and is now an instructor for Emory University’s Landscape Design certification program. King refers to improving curb appeal, but this approach can be applied throughout your yard, creating a more attractive landscape that reduces maintenance -- and mistakes. Here are 9 tips on how to bring out the best in your greenery, using a landscaping approach.
Read more about Plot Before You Plant: 9 Landscaping Secrets from a Pro
06.26.17
If you're one of the 15 million Americans who are self-employed, you don't have to give up the benefits of being your own boss in order to become a homeowner.
Read more about Keys to Obtaining a Home Loan when Self-Employed
06.06.17
Do you know your credit score? When it comes to consumer credit, many people turn a blind eye. But taking a “what I don’t know, can’t hurt me” approach to personal finance may present serious issues, particularly for first-time homebuyers.
Read more about NerdWallet Q&A: How Your Credit Score Affects a Mortgage
05.29.17
Summer’s the time to kick back during vacation, enjoy time outdoors at summer cookouts and … pay big bills accrued through carelessness? No, that’s not you. Yet many of us overlook simple solutions to summer expenses. Here are seven ways you could rack up unexpected costs.
Read more about Summer Spending: 7 Ways to Prevent Money Mistakes
05.15.17
If you’ve been shopping around for mortgage lenders, you’ve probably heard a lot about mortgage points. But what are they and how do they affect your monthly mortgage payment?
Read more about Mortgage Origination & Discount Points: Understanding the Basics
04.27.17
Home appraisals are a vital component of mortgage lending. See how the appraisal process works and learn how it protects you as a homebuyer.
04.26.17
Home stagers are typically hired when a house is prepared for sale, to create a warm, attractive house that buyers yearn to call home. However, stagers are also excellent at providing advice on “staging to dwell,” or everyday living in our homes.
Read more about Staging Secrets: Improve Your Home’s Layout with Advice from a Home Stager
04.12.17
A vacation home isn’t just a summertime house – it’s a memory-maker. That’s according to Toby Babich, a board member of the Vacation Rental Management Association with years of experience in the second-home and vacation rental market.
Read more about Home for the Holidays (& Summer Too): How to Buy a Vacation Home