Happy Holidays
We wish you and your family a safe and happy holiday season! As we bring 2020 to end, we wish you and your family a prosperous and healthy 2021!
Your Year End Financial Checklist
Well we are almost ready to bid adieu to 2020, the longest year in memory! Its been a chaotic year to say the least, so its more important than ever to do your financial planning. Here are our top five things to check: 1. Review your budget and savings plan Analyze your spending and saving for the year. Your savings might not have gone to plan this year and that’s ok – focus on replenishing your emergency fund first if needed and recalibrate plan for 2021 if needed. 2. Maximize Retirement Plan Contributions If you participate in a 401k make sure you maximize contributions before the December 31 deadline, you have until April for Roth contributions 3. Review Your Insurance Coverage Check your insurance coverage in many parts of the…
Guaranteed Mortgage Loans?
What is a guaranteed mortgage? Well as you might have guessed, it’s a guarantee that your loan will be paid in case of default (fine print sometimes this is actually insurance), by a third party. In most cases the third party is the government. Guaranteed mortgages are used when a borrower does not have the traditional required 20% of the purchase price to put down. In these cases the programs guarantee (or insure) the loan. In fact first-time home buyers often do not have the full 20% to put down, so these programs are very helpful in getting funding. FHA, VA and USDA are the most common guarantors. FHA loans allow first time home buyers to put as little as 3.5% down (with a credit score of at least 580).…
3 Keys To A Successful Home Inspection
If you’re buying or selling (but especially buying) a home inspection is a crucial part of the process that too often is seen as just another step. So here are the 3 keys to make sure you come out on top and avoid surprises after you move in! 1. Inspect the Inspector First! Make sure your inspector is certified, qualified and experienced. You want someone who is going to check things thoroughly and not just check the boxes. Find a good inspector early as the good ones can often be like a popular restaurant – hard to get a reservation. 2. Be Present for the Inspection If at all possible make sure you attend the inspection too! It may take a few hours so block out the morning or afternoon…