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What’s the Difference Between a Second Mortgage and a Home Equity Loan?

If you’ve been diligently paying down your mortgage, you’ve likely built up a valuable asset: home equity. This financial resource can be a game-changer, offering opportunities to fund major expenses, consolidate debt, or tackle unexpected financial challenges. But with multiple borrowing options tied to your home equity, it’s essential to know which route aligns best with your goals. Two popular options are second mortgages and home equity loans and often leave homeowners wondering about their differences. Let’s break it down to help you make an informed decision. What is a Second Mortgage? A second mortgage is any loan that uses…
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Let’s Chat! How to Get Prepared for Your House-Hunting Journey

Imagine that you are exploring your city or a new city and you stumble upon your dream home. It is perfect! With an open kitchen for entertaining, a backyard oasis for relaxation, and all the space you’ve envisioned. Just as you’re ready to make your move, someone else beats you to it because your finances weren’t prepared. The good news is you can avoid it with a little preparation. Here are some steps to get you house-hunting ready: 1. Understand Your Budget Before you even check out the first home listing, take a hard look at your finances. Getting pre-approved…
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What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – February 3rd, 2025

The previous week’s reins were held by the Federal Reserve’s Rate Decision and also the preferred inflation indicator, the PCE Index. With the PCE Index coming in well above the Federal Reserve’s 2% target, it suggests that rate cuts may be postponed much longer this year than initially anticipated. Looking ahead, the upcoming week features the CPI and PPI inflation data reports, making for a busy schedule. However, this week’s reports are relatively limited in terms of significant market impact. The most notable releases include Unemployment Data and U.S. Wages, both of which will complement the inflation data to provide…
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Should You Use Home Equity to Pay for College?

Higher education can be one of the most significant financial investments you'll make, second only to purchasing a home. While federal loans are a common method for covering college costs, using your home’s equity is another option to consider. Before making a decision, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of tapping into your home equity to pay for college. The Financial Cost of College Just as most buyers need a mortgage to finance a home, many families rely on loans to fund college expenses. The average net price of college, which accounts for tuition, room, and board after…
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Can You Buy Land with a VA Loan?

The VA loan program offers exceptional benefits to veterans, active-duty service members, and eligible surviving spouses, including no down payment, competitive interest rates, and no private mortgage insurance (PMI). But what about buying land? While the rules around using a VA loan for land can be more complex, there are still ways to make it work. Here's a breakdown of your options if you're looking to buy land using a VA loan. Understanding VA Loans VA loans are specifically designed for veterans and service members looking to buy, build, repair, or adapt a home for personal occupancy. These loans come…
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