Market Update for Mid-August
COVID-19 has led to the largest shock to the U.S. economy in our lifetime. The Federal Reserve, Treasury, and administration have responded with trillions of dollars in stimulus measures to help underwrite, or carry, the economy through this pandemic — and more is...
Summer House Hunting Tips
The notion that summertime prices are always the highest prices is a myth. The truth is that there are a number of factors that determine home pricing such as summer slowdown at the office, fluctuating interest rates, general economic health, and this year: COVID....
A Few Tips for Buying Your First Home
Save for a Down Payment It’s generally common to put 20% down, but first-time home buyer programs allow as for much less. Keep this in mind: putting down less than 20% may mean higher costs and paying for private mortgage insurance. Check Your Credit Your credit will...
What is the process like for refinancing?
The process of refinancing your home is nearly identical to applying for your first mortgage. Before you begin, you’ll definitely want to connect with us at Alterna Mortgage to go over your options. We will help automate the process as much as possible for you by...
What actually happens when I refinance?
Since mortgage rates at an all-time low, refinancing has become a hot topic for homeowners. There is a good reason for this: refinance could lower the interest rate on a homeowner's mortgage and save them significant money in the long term. As we have mentioned...
Refinancing Jargon: What Do All of These Words Mean?
Refinancing a home doesn’t need to be a complicated process. Half of the battle is knowing the terminology used in the mortgage and finance industries. Let’s take the guess work out of some of these terms by defining them: Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Also called an ARM,...
Cash-out Refinancing: What is it and is now a good time?
When homeowners secure a cash-out refinance, their mortgage is replaced with a new loan with an amount higher than the current loan balance. The homeowner can then withdraw the difference of the two loans as cash. Over the course of the last few months, some people...
The Federal Reserve releases outlook for 2020
The Federal Reserve left interest rates unchanged (near zero) amidst a projected gradual economic recovery from the recession. New forecasts predict a slower economic recovery than the Trump administration seems to expect. In the post-meeting statement that...
FICO scores and refinancing – is your credit good enough?
With everything that's been going on lately, interest rates have dropped dramatically. For some homeowners it is the perfect time to refinance their home mortgage. Does refinancing make sense for you and your family? There are two critical things to educate yourself...
Have you ever wondered what your mortgage would have been like in 1983?
The interest rates in the 1980s were high. With a few exceptions, they have generally been on a decline ever since. Want to see what your current home mortgage would have been like in 1983? How about in 1979? Or 1995? Take a look at our Historical Rate Chart. Endless...