Homeownership is the number one way for Americans to build wealth. On the other hand, renting creates no equity and subjects tenants to an inexorable rent cost climb. Before looking for a home, it's essential to plan. Six months before starting a...
THE ART OF REAL ESTATE NEGOTIATIONS Colleen Wood: Hello, and welcome to Leading Ladies of Montana Real Estate, a show about buying and selling homes in Montana, and the power realtors and power lenders that make that happen. We...
As the home market fluctuates, it may be the perfect time to buy with the VA Home loan. If you are currently an active-duty service member or veteran, there may be a great chance you will qualify. Utilizing this benefit with a 0% down payment home...
How Did We Get Into A Housing Shortage and What Does The Future Look Like? We're all aware that there is a housing shortage by this point. But why is there a housing shortage, and how long can we expect it to last? What does...
"Listen In" What You Need To Know About HELOCs Colleen Wood: Hello, and welcome to Leading Ladies of Montana Real Estate, a show about buying and selling homes in Montana and the power realtors and power...
"Listen In" Colleen Wood: Hello, and welcome to Leading Ladies of Montana Real Estate, a show about buying and selling homes in Montana and the power of realtors and power lenders that make that happen. We are your hosts,...
In 2021, the conventional mortgage loan limit topped out at $548,250 on single-family residences. This meant that any mortgage loan on a SFR that was above that fell into the jumbo loan category. Jumbo loans have much stricter...
Interest rates are still at historical lows, HOWEVER, interest rates are forecasted to go up. Prices of homes are also forecasted to continue to rise through 2022 by as much as 16%. A home that costs $450,000 today at an interest rate of...
Mortgage Interest rates in 2020 and 2021 hit all time lows but they are not there to stay. As of the beginning of the year in 2022, we are seeing a rise in interest rates. The Mortgage Bankers Association predicts rates to hit the 4s by...
Values of home appreciated at a average of 14.5% in 2021 up from only 4% in 2019 with an average equity gain of $56,700 per homeowner You can use a cashout refinance to access that equity at a lower primary residence interest rate to put a...
Choosing the right mortgage for your needs is just as important as choosing the right home. Many new homebuyers aren't aware of the different loan types and options that are available to them. For example, some mortgage programs, like VA and FHA...
Buying your first home can feel both exciting and stressful. There is so much to do, from house shopping to gathering documents for the mortgage application process, that it’s easy to forget things. This is why our expert Bozeman mortgage...
"Listen In" What Happened to Zillow? Colleen Wood: Hello, and welcome to Leading Ladies of Montana Real Estate, a show about buying and selling homes in Montana, and the power realtors and power lenders that make that happen. We are...
When we think about mortgage loans, we often think of the traditional longer-term financial commitment to purchase a home. But many people don't realize that there are specific loans for new construction builds and renovating homes. Below are...
The first thing you need to know before setting out on your Mortgage journey for a new home is knowing the how and why of getting a Pre-approval and the importance of this step. The Pre-approval will not only give you an accurate picture of what you...
Refinancing can be a challenge if you aren't prepared or even sure of what you are getting into. From your home equity (The true value) to the appraisal visit. Here are five tips to ensure your refi goes smoothly. 1.Determine your financial...
What You'll Learn The difference between contingent and pending listing statuses The various types of contingent and pending situations Why listing status matters when searching for a home Who else gets excited when it's time...
In a nutshell, Mortgage insurance protects the lender in case the borrower defaults on the the loan. It's allows for the lending agent to be protected in case of default on their mortgage note. HOW DOES IT WORK? Mortgage Insurance options...
We're all well aware of how crazy the market has been over the past year. It's been an incredibly tight market for those looking to purchase. Many will tell you they've never seen anything like it. Demand is sky-high, and inventory is...
You have finally decided to buy a home. Now it's time to get to work. Understanding how long it can take to get into a new home is key to setting expectations so your homebuying journey can be filled with happiness and excitement vs. stress and...