Seeing your dream home come to life right in front of your eyes is an incredible process. It’s something you’ve waited so long for, and you’ve picked out every little detail down to the colors, patterns, and finishes. There’s no denying that building your dream home requires many steps. One of the most significant milestones […]
VA Loans If you are a veteran, thank you for your service! The entire Capital Bank Home Loans team appreciates the sacrifices you have made in defending our country. If you are reading this, then you are most likely considering buying a home and would like to know more about VA loans. VA home loans […]
What is earnest money? Earnest money, sometimes called a “good faith deposit,” is a sum of money that is included with your offer to purchase a home. Earnest money has become standard, especially in today’s competitive real estate markets. The purpose of earnest money is to tell the seller that you’re serious about purchasing the […]
For years, the 30-year mortgage has been seen as the gold standard for American homeowners. In fact, according to Freddie Mac, a federally-backed mortgage guarantor, an overwhelming 90% of today’s homeowners opt for a 30-year mortgage to pay back their home loan. However, home-buying trends are shifting, with Americans starting to delay homeownership due to […]
You may be in the market for a home, but not so fast! Before you start shopping for a home, it’s important to understand financing—more specifically, the difference between a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate (ARM) mortgage. Both have their pros and cons—and it all depends on how long you want to spend in the home and […]
The reasons for wanting to buy a first home are so personal! You may be facing a life-changing event like marriage or a new baby; you have a new job with a big salary increase and feel ready to start thinking about buying; or perhaps you’re at an age when all your friends have houses […]
Neighborhoods such as subdivisions, planned communities, or condominiums can organize a homeowners association (HOA) to govern the community. HOAs have recently increased in popularity, and Americans have a one in five chance of living in an HOA property. The HOA creates and enforces rules, called Covenants, Conditions, and Restrictions (CC&Rs), that address the maintenance of […]
Hoping to buy a house while still carrying student loan debt might seem like a dead end – as in, why even try to get a mortgage? The typical amount of education debt outstanding in 2018 per person was between $20,000 and $25,000, according to the Federal Reserve Bank. On average, that’s a payment of […]
In just a few short weeks, the COVID-19 outbreak has changed our lives and raised serious questions about the future. The Federal Reserve Bank has slashed interest rates to zero (among other actions) to try to lessen the economic damage of business and job loss. A zero interest rate also can result in mortgage rates […]
Figuring out the financial aspect of buying a home is more than a mortgage calculator would have you believe. Loan interest rate and monthly payments are just a snapshot of the costs of buying a home. The bigger picture is the type of home loan (or loans) that fit your finances and the effect on […]
If you’re reading advice online about buying a home (and who isn’t!), you’re likely to come across a question that many homebuyers ask: Should I work with the mortgage lender my real estate agent recommends, or find one myself? That’s a really important question to answer. Choosing Your Own Home Lender Vs. Realtor Recommendations Experienced […]
When shopping for a mortgage, lenders will typically provide two different numbers to show the cost of borrowing the money. The mortgage interest rate, which is related to the cost of borrowing the principal amount of the loan. It is the cost you will pay each year to borrow the money, expressed as a percentage […]
Are you wondering how to get pre approved for a mortgage? It’s one step in the home buying process you shouldn’t overlook. What Is A Mortgage Preapproval? Mortgage pre-approval means that a lender has conditionally approved you for a set home loan amount, based on your credit and finances. Having a mortgage pre-approval letter in […]
Most people Googling “how to buy a home” soon find out that credit score plays a big role in getting a mortgage. Your credit score shows lenders how to rate you as a borrower. Lenders want evidence that you pay bills and repay loans. A history of using credit plus a good credit score give […]
If you’re researching the finances of buying your first home, you are learning there are a lot of costs associated with buying a home. In fact the term “closing costs” likely keeps popping up. Closing costs are the charges and fees related to buying a house in your state and county and getting a home […]
Quick quiz: You’re thinking of buying a home – What’s the first thing you do? A. Look online for open houses you can tour B. Find a real estate agent C. Talk to a loan officer The answer is “C” – and not just because we’re a bank. A loan officer helps pin down your […]
