Ariana Nicolau

08/15/2022

Are you looking to buy a home but the current rates have left you feeling a bit discouraged? Did you know we have a temporary buydown program that can assist you with purchasing your dream home at a rate you can afford? This program allows us to reduce your payments for two years! How? By lowering your rate in exchange for a cash contribution made by either your seller or even the builder! Call now for more info!

08/14/2022

In honor of Sunday, Aug. 14th being Financial Awareness Day, We offer you these 5 important financial tasks that can drastically improve your personal finances.
In order to effectively manage your money, you are going to need a game plan!
Now is the perfect time to take control of your finances and set yourself up for success, this is where you should start!

1. Audit your spending:
Did you stick to a closely monitored budget this year or did you find yourself clicking “add to cart” more times than you can count?
We’re all guilty of it, but the trick is to budget your expenses so don’t find yourself with any financial surprises. Look at your different spending categories and see if you can find a pattern.. did your spending go up during the summertime due to more family vacations?
Do you find you’re now spending an extra $20 a month on coffee? Look at where you can cut back on any unnecessary spending.

2. Evaluate your savings goals:
Did you know 40% of Americans don’t have enough savings to cover a $400 emergency? Saving consistently is vital to your financial health. At the very least, creating a savings account for emergencies should be a priority.
Once you have that established you should begin to map out a savings plan for other life goals such as a big vacation, down payment, college tuition, etc. Determine the amount you will need and calculate how much you have to put aside in order to meet that goal.
Then, use technology advancements to your benefit and set up online banking tools to automate those savings.

3. Asses your debt:
Did you know the average credit card balance is $5,525 and most people carry a balance each month instead of paying in full? This can be a dangerous practice.
Credit card debt can wreak havoc on your finances if you let it take back control. Pay off your balance in full every month or choose a repayment strategy such as paying off the bills with the highest interest rate first Another option available to you is debt consolidation through either a mortgage refinance or a personal loan.

4. Request your free credit report:
It is incredibly important that you review your credit report at least once per year. Creditworthiness is a critical factor in assessing your financial health!
Don’t be afraid to dispute credit reporting errors that you may find, this is your right. Checking your credit report is also a great way to prevent identity theft, if you see any accounts open in your name that you do not recognize, report them to identitiytheft.gov

5. Review your mortgage:
The market is constantly changing and so do people’s financial situations. When you initially bought your home, you chose the best mortgage and terms that fit your needs at that time, but now you may benefit from a lower monthly payment, or you may want to reduce your loan term and save on interest. Reviewing your loan can help you identify financial opportunities available to you that you may not have known existed otherwise.
So, talk to your loan officer about setting up a quick mortgage consultation!

Taking the time to review your finances and set goals puts you in the driver’s seat of your financial future!

08/11/2022

What is a Seller’s Disclosure? Here’s Why It’s Important!

A seller’s disclosure helps protect the buyer from defects or problems with the home and surrounding property. Learn more here.

08/09/2022

Are real estate agent fees negotiable? Here is a step-by-step guide to assist you with exploring your potential options.

Home sellers are usually responsible for paying both real estate agents' fees. Find out what you can expect from negotiating commissions.

07/28/2022

Buying a new construction home? It is incredibly important to make sure that you always do a final walk-through a few weeks before your move-in ready date. Not sure what you should be looking for? Here are 35 items to keep an eye out for!

Building a house is no simple process. Use this new construction walkthrough checklist to make sure every hand-picked feature is just the way you want it.

07/26/2022

Now that Covid restrictions are relaxing across the country, open houses are back in full swing! Don't know what an open house is? Here is a complete guide for buyers and sellers alike!🏡

What is an open house? Whether you’re buying or selling, an open house is a great way to get to know a future home or generate interest in a property.

07/21/2022

It's true, mortgage rates are currently sky high.. But did you know that you can "buy down" the interest rate on your loan? This could result in a lower monthly payment and save you money on interest rate charges over the long term.
But wait.. It gets even better.. Did you know the IRS actually offers a tax break for eligible taxpayers who buy points on their mortgage? Check out this article to learn more!

Purchasing mortgage points allows you to "buy down" the interest rate on a home loan. Doing so may result in a lower monthly mortgage payment and save you money on interest charges over the long term. The IRS also offers … Continue reading → The post How to Deduct Mortgage Points on Your Taxes a...

07/21/2022

Looking to make the most out of your retirement? Here is how SJ Morgensen is happily spending her days. "Traveling more often, Finding meaningful volunteer opportunities.." Its quite an impressive list.

Retiring is a major adjustment, but it can be one of the best changes of your life. Here are some tips on how to stay smiling.

07/20/2022

Homeowners age 62 or older, often use a Reverse Mortgage to minimize their monthly expenses and have access to liquid assets like cash during their retirement. Are you familiar with some of the Pros & Cons of a Reverse Mortgage?

There are many different types of home loans and a reverse mortgage specifically allows homeowners ages 62+ to borrow against their home’s equity.

07/14/2022

Are you 62 or older and finding yourself in need of a source of income? Have you considered a Reverse Mortgage? Forbes wrote an excellent article about how a Reverse Mortgage can be a beneficial part of your retirement plan. Check out the article here!

One way seniors aged 62 and older can access their home equity is with a federally insured reverse mortgage, known as a Home Equity Conversion Mortgage or HECM.

07/14/2022

We may not be in a Refi market currently, its no secret rates are high. But did you know that if you reduced your rate by just 0.75 percentage points you may be able to save an average of $324 per month. Check out this article to learn more!

Rising mortgage rates mean the chance to refinance has passed for many homeowners — but not all.