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Lending / Financial

Buying real estate is even more challenging for those of us whose eyes glaze over at the mere mention of decimals, percentages or anything else that even hints of mathematics.


The financial aspect of purchasing the largest investment of your lifetime, though, is the most important. Nobody wants to lose money. Nobody wants to leave money on the table.


If you're in the market for information on mortgages, credit scores and interest rates, you've come to the right place. The financial and mortgage pros here at ActiveRain even tell you how to shop for and compare lenders, how to raise your credit score, how to get a mortgage after a short sale or foreclosure and how to get pre-approved for a mortgage loan. Even Mom and Dad can't give the great advice you'll find here at ActiveRain.


Plan to spend some time here because ActiveRain's content library is massive. Lucky for you we've arranged it so that it's über user-friendly. You'll be amazed at how easy it is to put your finger on just the information you're looking for without having to surf a million other pages.

Recent blogs on Lending / Financial
By Jerry Thomas-Construction Loans, Construction Loans in MI, OH, PA, CO VA, GA and FL
(Cranbrook Loans)
Land equity refers to the value of the land you already own outright, the money you previously put down on the purchase of the land and/or the appreciation of the land since you purchased it. Land equity can be used in lieu of a cash down payment and may also allow you to roll in your closing costs and prepaids into your loan. By doing this it is possible to close on your construction loan without having to bring any cash to closing, paying less in mortgage insurance or not having to pay any mortgage insurance. Here's the process: Assess the Value of Your Land: The first step is to determine the current market value of your land. You can estimate this by researching recent sales of similar properties in your area. Ultimately the appraiser will set this value when you apply for your loan...
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By Jon Sanborn, Real Estate is a Team Sport
(Brotherly Love Real Estate)
If you want to build wealth by investing in real estate, you need to have the time and expertise and be able to manage the properties directly. However, only some real estate investors fulfill all these conditions. This is where Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) and Private Equity Real Estate (PERE) come into play. These two types of real estate investment offer the opportunity to invest in real estate without the hands-on property management approach. Let's look at the different types of real estate investments and help you choose the one that best fits your lifestyle and career desires.What Are REITs?A Real Estate Investment Trust, or REIT for short, is a company that owns, operates, or finances income-producing real estate. They were established by Congress in 1960 and allow ever...
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By Jeff Masich-Scottsdale AZ Associate Broker,MBA,GRI, Arizona Homes and Land Group/ Buy or Sell
(HomeSmart Real Estate)
Owner Carry or Seller May Carry? A great concept in Paradise Valley, Arizona when puchasing a home among the rich and famous. (Photo: Paradise Valley Pool Home by Jeff Masich)Are you looking for an Owner Carry or Seller Carry Home For Sale in Paradise Valley Arizona between Camelback Mountain and Mummy Mountain, the most expensive place to live in Arizona? Here are June 2024 Paradise Valley homes for sale with Seller May Carry or Owner Financing next to Scottsdale Arizona and UPDATED DAILY on the MLS. Are you ready to move to Paradise Valley the most expensive place to live in Arizona? When buying a home one will need a jumbo loan if not buying with cash. However there are usually some Owner May Finance homes available.Paradise Valley Arizona Estates with Owner Financing or Seller Carry...
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By Bob Elliot, 30+ Yrs Industry Experience
(eXp Realty)
With the CPI and PPI reports coming up this week, the previous week was light on reports of any significance. Most notable was the Non-Farm Payrolls which can have an outsized impact on inflation data reporting, as it’s a useful barometer to compare the cost of goods to the payroll of the average consumer. Following that is the ISM Manufacturing Index which came in slightly under expectations. Lastly, the JOLTS Job Openings is a minor indicator, but useful for seeing the state of the job market.Non-Farm PayrollsWages are growing by about 4%. The Federal Reserve wants to see annual worker pay increase slow to 3% or less to help the central bank return U.S. inflation to low pre-pandemic norms. However, it's not seeing much progress lately.JOLTS Job OpeningsThe number of job openings in th...
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By Pat Starnes-Front Gate Realty, 601-991-2900 Office; 601-278-4513 Cell
(Front Gate Real Estate)
If you follow real estate articles, podcasts, etc., you may have heard that FHA, VA, and USDA loans are assumable. If you are a real estate agent, I'm sure you are aware of it, but not everyone has fully embraced the idea or comprehends the dynamics of this opportunity.Recently, I successfully acquired a buyer by marketing a lovely home with an assumable mortgage, but first I had to explain the benefits to the seller, then to other Realtors, and lastly to potential home buyers. Once the seller understood the process, we had the home under contract within a week or so, with multiple offers.With this particular home, it was only a couple of years old, but we were in competition with a lot of new construction.  We had a good number of showings, but came up shy of any reasonable offers. Tim...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
Today's unemployment report has effectively ruled out any possibility of a July rate cut by the Federal Reserve. Nonfarm payrolls increased by 272,000 in May, significantly surpassing the expected 180,000. Additionally, hourly earnings rose at an annualized rate of 4.1%, exceeding the forecast of 3.9%. Interestingly, other economic indicators, such as last week’s manufacturing data, indicate a weakening economy. Financial markets struggle to interpret the economy's direction amid these conflicting signals.A key debate centers on whether the current interest rate levels, widely considered restrictive, might not be as restrictive to economic growth as many believe. The upcoming Consumer Price Index (CPI) release next Wednesday morning, followed by the FOMC's rate decision in the afternoon...
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By Charles Stallions, 850-476-4494 - Pensacola, Pace or Gulf Breeze, Fl.
(Charles Stallions Real Estate Services )
Getting approved for a loan is one of the most crucial steps in the home-buying process. With Charles Stallions as your trusted real estate broker, you’ll have the guidance and expertise to navigate this complex journey smoothly. Charles’s extensive experience in the real estate market, particularly in Escambia County, Florida, ensures you’ll be well-prepared to secure the financing necessary to purchase your dream home.Understanding Your Financial SituationBefore you even start looking at homes, it’s essential to have a clear understanding of your financial situation. Charles Stallions will help you assess your financial readiness by thoroughly reviewing your income, debts, credit score, and savings. This evaluation will give you a realistic picture of what you can afford and the type ...
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By Kevin A. Guttman-Author, ReverseMortgageSpecialist, 877-251-9709
(NMLS #384936)
You’ve probably seen the headlines about inflation and how it is increasing the price we pay for everyday items like gasoline, food, and healthcare. But have you considered the impact inflation is having on your retirement savings? Social Security uses inflation as a benchmark to determine the cost-of-living adjustments it makes to monthly payouts, so beneficiaries can keep pace with inflation. This protects you from the negative effects of inflation over time. But the other elements of your retirement savings plan, such as 401K’s and most non-government pension plans, are not adjusted for inflation. That means the actual purchasing power of your retirement savings is being eroded over time… and you’ll need more money to accomplish your original goals.Your Certified Reverse Mortgage Pro...
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