by Carly Rodgers on February 3, 2012 11:00 am
Stonegate Mortgage is hosting its First Annual Home Improvement Program (HIP) Home Extravaganza and you are invited!
WHEN AND WHERE
February 25th from 1:00 – 4:00p.m.
hhgregg Fine Lines Store
4161 E. 96th Street
Indianapolis 46240 (northeast side)
Why should you participate?
- In today’s market many buyers are looking at homes that require repairs and updates
- Sellers are looking for ways to sell their gently used homes
- Realtors® need solutions for their clients that enable them to make a home their own
- Buyers want to make home improvements but have no way to finance them
From new kitchen designs and installations, to energy efficient heating and cooling systems, appliances, room additions, carpeting and more, our HIP team will be present to provide attendees with all the information they need to make educated decisions.
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by Carly Rodgers on February 2, 2012 10:53 am
With low interest rates prevailing through 2011 and set to carry through for the foreseeable future, home renovation projects are showing a marked increase, both from homeowners looking to improve their houses for their own comfort and those who are improving their homes for resale in 2012.
While a more spacious master bedroom or new granite counters in the kitchen are often the goal, one of the biggest benefits which homeowners find after renovations is improved energy efficiency, especially in older homes. Working energy efficiency improvements into your home renovation budget and timeline from the start not only makes the most of the existing home life disruption that occurs during renovations anyways, it also pays off for years to come and is a significant advantage for home comfort and/or potential resale value down the road.
Draft Dodging
Regardless of what room you’re renovating for your home, proper insulation and air sealing should be foremost on your list of improvements. Your newly renovated master bedroom will seem much less desirable if you find you have to wear socks to bed to keep warm. Especially for older homes which have large and poorly insulated attics above the bedrooms, investing in spray foam insulation and air sealing will create a benefit that’s invisible to the eye but tangible in your utility bills and your level of comfort for your home.
Making the Most of Living Space
Older homes, particularly those with older radiators, can benefit significantly from improved heating and air conditioning systems. Aside from being enormously wasteful of energy, old radiators also consume several cubic feet of floor space and force odd living behaviors on homeowners – you tend to place seating furniture near radiators for warmth, but not so close as to cause damage to furniture.
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Article source: http://www.wral.com/news/local/blogpost/10657272/
by Carly Rodgers on January 30, 2012 8:00 am
It may be tricky but it can be done! If you are faced with selling your house from another state due to relocation for work, family or whatever the reason may be, the key to making your out of state sell a success is to build a team of trusted professionals. (more…)
by Carly Rodgers on January 26, 2012 12:13 pm
Whether you are a first time home buyer or seasoned homeowner, there are some important questions you should ask yourself prior to making one of the biggest financial commitments of your life!
Consider these 5 questions (and answers) before proceeding in the home buying process:
1. How long do I plan to own this home? Generally, buyers purchase property with the hopes of creating and increasing their wealth. However, if you don’t plan on owning the home more than 5 years (the general ‘break even point’ for value vs. costs) you could be left worse off financially from buying and selling too quickly than had you just waited to become a homeowner.
2. Do I love this home? Considering the length of time you will own this home (especially if you answered ‘more than 5 years’ on question1), you need to LOVE IT, and if not love it, than really like and want it because it will be a center point of your life and your family’s life for many years to come.
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by Carly Rodgers on January 24, 2012 8:00 am
Stonegate Mortgage enjoyed tremendous growth and success in 2011, yet the company recognized that with great success comes a certain amount of responsibility to its customers and the communities it serves.
As a result, Stonegate formally implemented a goal of giving back to those who helped achieve its success with the establishment of its Charitable Giving Committee who was responsible for organizing company-wide efforts that helped many people, organizations and animals in need throughout the year.
Here is Stonegate’s 2011 Charitable Giving Recap:
January
- “Faces of Freedom” – Stonegate branches provided boxes of awesome (snacks, goodies, magazines, DVDs, etc.) to service men and women fighting overseas for our freedom
February
- “Change is Good” – Stonegate branches collected change to raise money for the winning team’s charitable cause; the Columbus office won and $1,500 was donated to The James Cancer Hospital and Solove Research Institute at The Ohio State University
April
- Indiana employees walked in the Race for the Cure and raised more than $435
- Stonegate branches donated more than 16 pints of blood to the Indiana Blood Center and the American Red Cross
May
- “Marathon Month” – Stonegate team walked in the Geist Mini and raised money for the Hamilton Southeastern School District
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by Carly Rodgers on January 18, 2012 10:15 am
Buying a first home is often fraught with uncertainty and stress. The home buying process may be made easier and less stressful with a few tips for the first time buyer.
1. Don’t Stretch Your Budget:
Figure out how much you are able to comfortably afford before looking for a home. A $1000 a month rent payment does not mean that you are able to afford the same mortgage payment. Owning a home has increased costs like taxes, insurance and unforeseen maintenance costs that will add up to higher expenses. Consider all of thee factors when deciding on a home budget. A mortgage calculator will help determine these costs.
2. Find A Realtor:
Find a reputable realtor. Real estate agents will help a prospective buyer find the perfect home. Good Realtors know the local marketplace and whether the house is a good price. They will be aware of what is available and how much is a fair price for the amenities within the home. Seasoned Realtors will help walk the home buyer through the negotiating process to ensure the best possible purchase price.
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Article source: http://realtybiznews.com/first-time-home-buyer/9877989/
by Carly Rodgers on January 12, 2012 11:31 am
With several mortgage loan types available, borrowers are often confused as to what type is the best one for them. It is important that the lender be knowledgeable enough to point out the differences of each type in order to show which is best suited for the individual borrower’s circumstances. In many instances, FHA mortgages may be the best choice when considering the benefits that FHA offers to consumers.
Many people think that obtaining FHA mortgages is too troublesome because additional paperwork is often required. In recent years, FHA mortgage underwriting guidelines have actually become easier when compared to conforming mortgage guidelines set by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac.
With FHA mortgages, underwriting can be done electronically or manually by an FHA underwriter. When underwriting an FHA mortgage manually, the underwriter examines everything in the loan file and will accept letters of explanation for any issues regarding income and credit.
There is a lot of consideration given when adverse information is present that would otherwise cause a rejection of a borrower’s loan application. FHA is actually much more forgiving and considerate when it comes to a borrower’s history. When explanations are requested, the additional paperwork should be welcomed by borrowers since it brings them closer to a loan approval.
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Article source: http://www.freerateupdate.com/fha-mortgages-may-be-the-best-choice-8656
by Carly Rodgers on January 10, 2012 10:59 am
Looking to sell your house or just get organized? Easily eliminate clutter from your home using these tips:
1. Start Room-by-Room – Make a list and conquer small areas of your house each day such as a closet, bathroom or junk drawer. Even if you’re in a time crunch, discarding items too fast can cause you to feel overwhelmed or eliminate items you may want to have later.
2. Consider Paperless – Paper can pile up fast from bills, statements and important family / home info so it’s best to find a designated space to store important documents like a filing cabinet or desk drawer, or to consider going paperless through online bill pay.
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by Carly Rodgers on January 4, 2012 11:02 am
Home prices are expected to slowly stabilize in the new year, according to experts, but this is unlikely to affect the difference in opinion between buyers and sellers, who will most likely continue to be at odds with each other over property values in 2012.
While buyers have every reason to feel optimistic about housing in 2012 (after all, now is a great time to buy), the sentiment of sellers has fallen to a record low, according to a new report in Housing Wire.
The Mortgage Bankers Association believes that home sellers are unhappy, as they are unable to get the price they would like for their properties. According to the MBA, a significant gap is growing between the estimations of buyers and sellers that is unlikely to narrow for some time.
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by Carly Rodgers on December 30, 2011 12:38 pm
For most Americans, with a new year comes new resolutions, and your home shouldn’t be left off the list! Here are a few New Year’s resolutions homeowners should consider in 2012:
1. Consult with a Lender – If you’re feeling financially stressed, are worried about making your house payment or are ‘underwater’ on your mortgage, now may be a good time to discuss your options with a Stonegate Mortgage Advisor and free yourself of financial worry in 2012.
2. Invest in your house - Consider making minor repairs or renovations to your house in the new year such as a kitchen or bathroom remodel, updated flooring or a room addition.
3. Go green – Save on utilities next year by incorporating energy-efficient technologies into your house such as replacing appliances, windows and/or heating and air (HVAC) system.
What is your New Year’s resolution for 2012?
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