Show me your best Pumpkin Carving Skills!

So every year, I drop off pumpkins to a handful of clients and partners and I hold a contest to see who can do their best. It's an awesome contest that gets the family involved and it's just a great activity to do around this time of year. Check out the entries we've received so far! More to come...

Can refinancing save you money?!

Refinancing

Refinancing is a possibility to improve your current mortgage. It means getting a new loan, with new terms, and using that money to pay off your old loan. Your Loan Officer can help explain why refinancing might be the right option for you.

Reasons to Refinance

• Lower payments
  Refinancing with a lower interest rate could result in lower mortgage payments. This may provide extra money each month for homeowners to save, or spend, however they choose.

• Shorten your payment term
  If you want to build equity faster, or pay off your mortgage in less time, you can refinance to a shorter loan term. This may result in a slightly higher monthly payment, but you may also save money by paying less toward interest.

• Convert your home’s equity into cash
  As a homeowner, you make payments to increase your equity, or value of ownership. Refinancing allows you to turn that equity into cash – referred to as “cash-out” refinancing. You are free to access and spend the money without tax penalty*.
  *Consult a tax professional for more information.

Ask yourself the following questions when buying a home

Questions to consider as a home buyer:

How much can I afford?
Before you starting house hunting, you need to make sure you are looking in the right price range. Getting pre-qualified by your Loan Officer will give you a better idea of how much home you can afford based on your current financial situation.

How long do I want to stay in my home?
Think about where you will be in the years to come; whether you want to move again or planning to stay long term. This is an important factor when deciding which type of mortgage is best for you.

What am I looking for in a home?
As you begin to contemplate buying, make a list of the most important things you want in a home. For example: a condo or single family home, monthly mortgage payment, location to work and school zones, neighborhood amenities, and yard size. Not only will this list help your real estate professional find the perfect home, it will also help your Loan Officer tailor a loan program that fits your needs.

Should I consider a second home?
Buying another property as a rental can provide ongoing income from tenants, and a vacation home on the beach or mountains is equally attractive. However, you will need to decide whether the home will be a place to live (primary residence) or a place to rent (investment property). Loan specifications are different based on how you plan to utilize the home. Your Loan Officer can explain the different requirements and help navigate through the process.

Thinking of buying? Here's some benefits of Homeownership!

Benefits of homeownership:

• Build Wealth  Although home value may increase or decrease short term, if you decide to stay in your home long term, it could gradually increase in value. This would provide you with a significant return on your investment.
• Build Equity  Equity is the amount of money your house is worth minus what you still owe. Every time you make a mortgage payment, the amount you owe reduces and increases overall equity. This is beneficial, because equity can be accessed and converted to cash. See our Refinancingpage to learn more.
• Tax Deductions  As a home owner, your mortgage interest and property tax payments may be deductible from your federal taxes and possibly state taxes.*
  *Consult a tax professional for more information.
• Strengthen Credit History  Making monthly loan payments is evidence that you are a responsible borrower, which builds your credit history. This will help you take out loans for other purchases, such as a car or even home renovations.
• Create the Home You Want  Owning a home gives you the freedom to create your dream living environment. Whether you want to update appliances, paint rooms, landscape a yard, own pets – you will have a house that is completely yours to customize.

The Fall breeze brings exciting changes!

Hello and Happy Fall!

As a part of my preferred network of clients, I wanted you to be the first to know my exciting news!  I have made a change, and have accepted a new position as a Senior Loan Officer at First Home Mortgage.  This decision came after a lot of research, and ultimately I felt like First Home offers everything that I need to provide the ultimate service that you, my clients, and your referrals deserve.  At First Home I will have access an even wider range of mortgage products.  I will be able to help you and your referrals directly and will be available by phone, text, and email just like before.  My favorite part of the change is that I will have more control over the processing of applications and loans, and can ultimately be more successful at getting your referrals into the homes of their dreams.

I would like to invite you to visit our webpage and learn more about my new company.  You can find find my updated contact information at the bottom of this email.  Please make sure to save that for your records. I look forward to talking with you about my new capabilities and services.  Any questions, comments, or additional information you'd like, just reach out to me any time.   I’d love to hear from you!

Thank you for your continued support,
Clay