If you can afford to Rent, Then you can afford to Buy!

If You Can Afford to Rent...Then You Can Probably Afford to Own. Interest rates are near historic lows. Purchasing power has increased, and the cost of renting in many areas is now greater than the cost to buy. Some say mortgage loans are impossible to obtain without perfect credit and 20% down. Want the truth? Read …

My 11th Pan Mass Challenge

11th Pan Mass Challenge  I ride for a reason and I ride for a cause and because of this,  I ride with No Pain, I Ride in the cold, I ride in the rain, I ride for hours upon hours so that I can help those who can't ride. This will be my 11th year …

1% increase in mortgage rates will cost you $50k in Buying Power!

We have seen mortgage rates as low as 3.250% in Fall of 2016 to a high of 5.25%  in October 2018.  We have to readjust our purchasing power and how these rates can affect how much we can afford for a home.  This means going to your lender and having your "Pre-Approval" updated to reflect the current …

5% Down and No Mortgage Insurance on 2, 3 and 4 Family Homes

With the announcement from Fannie Mae of increased loan limits for 2018. Not only are the Fannie Mae loans benefitting, so are the MassHousing loans!  Did you know that Mass Housing (MHFA) loans are a safe and affordable alternative to FHA Mortgages.  Did you know the Mortgage Insurance for FHA never goes away!  Mass Housing still …

Have a Great Labor Day!

What does Labor Day mean to us? To many, it means the end of summer. To others, it means the beginning of school. Those are accurate assumptions but Labor Day is really much more. Labor Day  will be observed on Monday, Sept. 3 2018. Labor Day: How it Came About & What it Means Labor …

What are Closing Costs?

Closing costs are an accumulation of charges paid to different entities associated with the buying and selling of real estate. For buyers in Massachusetts, closing costs will come to about $3500 plus lenders title insurance and any pre-paid items such as real estate taxes, insurance and interest. There may be closing costs customary or unique …

The true costs of Renting vs. Owning

There’s more to comparing the costs of renting and owning than the dollar cost of payments. Even with numbers like these, some still say renting is better: "Investing in a home is riskier than renting." No risk, no reward. Besides, even studies conducted by the Federal Reserve show that owning can provide a net worth that is …

Let’s Talk Credit: Understanding your Credit Score

Did you know? FICO is an acronym for Fair Isaac and Company. In the 1950’s, Fair Isaac and company created the mathematical calculation that is used to determine your credit score.  It is a tool that was designed to determine one’s credit score and dependability in paying bills. The terms credit score and FICO score …

Can I give you a Piggy Back?

Whether you call them Piggy Back Loans, Blended Mortgages, A first and second, 80-10-10, these loans are extremely helpful in avoiding Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI). When you have less than 20% to put down on a home, you are charged Private Mortgage Insurance, this added cost is based on the actual down payment as well …

Is Your Glass Half Full or Half Empty?

A psychologist walked around a room while teaching stress management to an audience. As she raised a glass of water, everyone expected they’d be asked the “half empty or half full” question. Instead, with a smile on her face, she inquired: “How heavy is this glass of water?” Answers called out ranged from 8 oz. …