How Your Tax Refund Can Move You Toward Homeownership This Year

Posted on March 2, 2020March 2, 2020 by RBrown32

If you’re looking to buy a home in 2020, have you thought about putting your tax refund toward a down payment? Homeownership may be one step closer than you think if you spend your dollars wisely this year. Based on data released by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Americans can expect an estimated average refund of $2,962 when filing […]

When should you lock a mortgage rate?

Posted on February 29, 2020February 29, 2020 by RBrown32

When it comes to interest rates, mortgage seekers should pay close attention because every little bit of interest counts. A quarter of a percentage point doesn’t sound like much, but it can mean thousands of extra dollars in interest paid, or not paid, over the life of a typical 30-year loan. For buyers worried that […]

How Much “Housing Wealth” Can You Build in a Decade?

Posted on February 27, 2020February 27, 2020 by RBrown32

Earlier this month, the National Association of Realtors (NAR) released a special study titled Single-Family Home Price Gains by Years of Tenure. The study estimates median home price appreciation over the last 30 years based on the length of homeownership. Below are three graphs depicting the most important data revealed in the study.How much have home […]

5 New Year’s Resolutions That Can Help You Buy a Home

Posted on February 25, 2020March 29, 2020 by RBrown32

Thinking of buying a home this year? We compiled five New Year’s resolutions that can help you keep your financial resume in tiptop shape. 1. Avoid job hopping Employment history and income are two of the biggest factors lenders look at when evaluating a mortgage application. A new job may be a good career move, […]

Can’t find an affordable FHA-approved home? You have options.

Posted on February 22, 2020February 24, 2020 by RBrown32

Americans took out nearly $150 billion in loans backed by the Federal Housing Administration to buy homes in 2018. Nearly 83% of those FHA borrowers were first-time homebuyers, according to the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It’s unsurprising that FHA loans are especially popular with first-time homebuyers, due to more lenient credit-score and debt-to-income […]

Retiring on Real Estate—Despite Starting in My 40s!

Posted on February 22, 2020February 18, 2020 by RBrown32

There isn’t a singular correct path toward success in real estate. It’s largely dependent on investors’ goals. Define what you want, explore your options, and determine the best way to get there. As someone who started investing in real estate in my 40s, here’s what I did and how it differs from more traditional paths. […]