A college education is associated with increased earnings, fewer periods of unemployment, and greater job satisfaction.[1] However, paying for college without incurring debt remains a challenge. Tuition, fees, and living expenses often surpass the amount set aside in college savings plans or available through federal and state grant programs. For many students, scholarship opportunities are limited, leaving loans as the…
A mortgage loan can turn the dream of homeownership into a reality. Completing a mortgage loan application, gaining loan approval, and closing on the loan are necessary steps before unlocking the door to your new home. But, the mortgage process is about much more than meeting these critical milestones.
A large selection of homes in your local housing market can be a good thing – except when it’s not. While Americans may enjoy the freedom to choose where they live based on home affordability, too many choices can produce decision fatigue.
Despite fluctuations in the economy, home values continue to climb. Reuters reported in June 2018 that U.S. housing prices are expected to rise at twice the speed of inflation and pay. But, what does this mean for renters who are trying to save for a down payment and are doing so at a much slower rate?
After months of looking, you finally found your dream home. It’s located in an area with a low crime rate, in one of the top school districts in the region, and to top it off - your move-in ready home is a few short miles from your employer. You’d move in next week if you could. But, before you rush…
By Chad Neiss - Vice President, Mortgage Lending You’ve been watching more than your fair share of home remodeling shows lately. And, who can blame you? With television networks devoted to backyard, kitchen, and whole home remodels, you can’t help but dream about life without the limitations that come with renting. But, it does make you wonder if homeownership is really…
Some people look forward to tax season as much as a visit to the dentist’s office. Others are excited about the possibility of a sizeable tax refund and view April 15 with great anticipation. In either case, this year’s tax filing won’t be a simple repeat of last year.
After careful thought and planning, you’ve decided to take the plunge into home ownership. You have a pretty good idea in which area you want to buy and are about to start interviewing Realtors. At this point, many first-time homebuyers pause and ask themselves, “What exactly is the first step I should take when buying a home?” At ENB, we recommend setting up a meeting with a Mortgage Expert to discuss prequalification.
If you have never applied for a mortgage, getting started can seem daunting. Fear of the unknown can even cause first-time homebuyers to put off looking for a home, even when they can afford one. This is completely understandable since it will probably be the biggest purchase you’ll make in your lifetime. To take some of the worry away, we have broken down the entire process into six easy steps so you can make your dream of home ownership a reality.
For the first time in over a decade more people are choosing to buy a home rather than rent. An improving economy, low interest rates and rising costs of rent have all factored into this change; however, it can be argued that the real driver behind making home ownership the more attractive option is simply the fact that building home equity is a sound financial decision.
