What is PMI Insurance?
Borrowers whose down payments were less than 20 percent of the value of the home likely were required by their lender to buy private mortgage insurance (PMI), a policy that protects an...
Negotiating the Purchase
Keep your emotions in check and your eyes on the goal, and you’ll pay less when purchasing a home.
Here are six tips for negotiating the best price on a home.
Get pre-qualified for a mortgage
Getting prequalified fo...
Find the Loan for You
Understand which mortgage loan is best for you so your budget is not stretched too thin.
The basics of mortgage financing
The most important features of your mortgage loan are its term and interest rate. Mortgages typically come in 15-, 2...
Working with a Realtor
How do I find a real estate agent?
Getting a recommendation from a friend or work colleague is an excellent way to find a good agent. Be sure to ask if they would use the agent again. You also can call the managers of reputable real esta...
Home Inspections
Additional Information
Do I need a home inspection?
Yes! Buying a home "as is" is a risky proposition. Major repairs on homes can amount to thousands of dollars. Plumbing, electrical and roof problems represent significant and com...
Escrow & Closing Costs?
What is escrow?
Commonly used in real estate transactions, an escrow company holds money and documents between parties. As a neutral third party, the escrow company helps facilitate the homebuying and selling process.
How can I save o...
Home Buying in 6 Steps
Get Ready for Home Ownership
Build a good credit history
Get a mortgage pre-approval
Find out what type of mortgages you quality for
Save up for a down payment (typically...
What is Title Insurance?
There are two types of title insurance policies - owner and lender.
Owner's policy
The owner's policy assures a purchaser that the title to the property is vested in that purchaser and that it is free from all defects, liens and encum...
Mountain View School Area
Real estate in the Mountain View School neighborhood has always been a HOT commodity! Until you experience this wonderful neighborhood & the school, you might not realize just how special it is! As a chil...