3222 Smoky Ridge Austin, TX 78730 Post Modern Architecture On Lake Austin Price : $1,850,000 Bedrooms : 3 Bathrooms : 3.5 Square Foot : 2,817 Lot Size : 27,442 Community : Smoky Ridge County : Travis Property Type : Detached Year Built : 1972 click for more information and pictures Property Description Post Modern Architecture [...]

One of the biggest difficulties many first-time home buyers face is a lack of down payment and the necessary funds for closing costs. However, even with the widespread availability of “no-money-down programs” evaporating in the credit crisis, one national no-down payment program still remains: USDA Rural Development home loans. Guaranteed by the USDA (United States [...]

Buying a home is one the biggest financial decisions most people will make in their entire lives, so it’s only natural to have questions about the process, especially for first-time home buyers. That’s why we put together our own First-Time Home Buyer’s Kit. The free kit includes our Home Buyer’s Handbook, a 16-page booklet and [...]

Q: Could one spouse’s bad credit negatively affect the other? A: If a couple is applying for credit jointly, say for a loan or credit card, then yes. One person’s lower score can negatively impact the interest rate the couple will be offered. This is because every borrower has three credit scores, and lenders use [...]

Whether you’re applying for a mortgage for the first time or are looking at purchasing a new home and will be increasing your mortgage amount, it’s essential to understand how much you can afford. You may think that any number that fits within your monthly budget is comfortable and sustainable, but your mortgage lender may [...]

The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) program first began in 1934 in an effort to encourage home ownership despite the difficult economic times of the era. The program enables consumers who may not qualify for a standard loan to obtain the financing they need to purchase a home without income limitations. FHA loans differ from typical [...]

Closing costs are expenses that cover fees associated with the transfer of property ownership, fees paid to state and local governments, and the costs of obtaining a mortgage loan. Some of these fees are negotiable, and could be paid by either the buyer or the seller. Some costs are one-time fees (non-recurring closing costs, such [...]

You’re ready to make that big step into home ownership, which can be exciting, but if you’ve never gone through the process? It’s easy to get overwhelmed but when you have a better understanding of what to expect from the process of obtaining a mortgage, you will feel much more confident about every decision you [...]

It’s staggering when you think about the cost of living, especially if you’re a renter and not a home owner. If you are currently paying $1,000 a month for rented housing, over the next three years your property management company will effectively have reaped $36,000 of your hard earned cash. In most cases, you know [...]

Pre-qualification is the first step in obtaining mortgage financing. A potential borrower answers a few questions to provide the loan consultant with a quick snapshot of the borrower’s income, existing debt, accumulated savings and whether or not there is a co-borrower. Signature(s) allow the loan consultant to run a credit report and begin to determine [...]