Author Archives: theloanman

  Homeowners refinancing today are often surprised to hear that they’ve been granted an appraisal waiver – saving them hundreds of dollars. But what is it, and why are banks offering it? Being granted an appraisal waiver means that you … Continue reading →

The pandemic has affected almost every other aspect of our lives. Of course it has affected mortgage lending. First, the good news: mortgage interest rates are at their lowest levels in decades. The bad news is that getting a mortgage … Continue reading →

  Of course. Most people do, at least until they learn the cost. If you’ve seen the ads for no-fee mortgages, you might think they’re just what you need. And for a few people, they are. However, nothing is really … Continue reading →

  While the term “mortgage forbearance” is the one most widely used when speaking of relief from monthly payments, it is NOT what most homeowners want. Both mortgage forbearance and mortgage deferment allow borrowers to forgo payments for a set … Continue reading →

  You probably know that mortgage rates have been falling. Economists are predicting that they may fall even more, should the yield on the 10-year Treasury continue to decline. We thought rates were at a historic low some years ago … Continue reading →

When many of us think about capital gains we think of investors, but you as a homeowner could also be subject to capital gains tax. It comes into play when you sell your home (or other assets) at a profit. … Continue reading →

  Does home ownership still offer tax benefits? Yes, depending upon several factors: The benefits aren’t as pronounced, however, since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. This raised the standard deduction to $24,400 … Continue reading →

  Money guru Dave Ramsey has a lot to say about buying houses, and one of the things he’s most adamant about is choosing a 15-year mortgage rather than a 30-year mortgage. He also says that you should wait to … Continue reading →

  When you obtained your mortgage loan you may have been given a choice between a 30-year payoff and a 15-year payoff. Perhaps you could have afforded the payments on a 15-year note, but wanted the security of the lower … Continue reading →

  Here’s what you need to know before you decide to add your name to that dotted line. First, what does co-signing really mean? At the bottom line, it means you are accepting full responsibility for making the loan payments.  … Continue reading →