Linda Culotta

Market Rate Mortgages

  • Home
  • About
    • About
    • My Podcast Episodes
  • Resources
    • Market Rate Mortgages, LLC NMLS#213838 – Market Update
    • First Time Buyer Tips
    • First Time Seller Tips
    • Closing Costs
    • Home Appraisal
    • Home Inspection
    • Loan Programs
    • Loan Process
    • Mortgage FAQ
    • Mortgage Glossary
  • Calculator
  • Reviews
    • Leave a Review
    • Reviews
    • Zillow Reviews
    • Additional Reviews
  • Apply Now
  • Blog
  • Contact Me

The Top Things To Know When Refinancing Your Home

June 28, 2022 by Linda Culotta

The Top Things to Know Whne RefinancingIf you are thinking about refinancing your home in the near future, you probably know that this is a great way to shorten the term of your mortgage while also saving money. At the same time, refinancing your home does not come without risks. Take a look at some of the top things you should do and what to avoid before you go through the refinancing process.

Do Check Your Credit Score

Always check your credit score before you begin the refinancing process. A surprising number of credit reports contain errors, and you need to correct any errors on your credit report before you apply for a new home loan. If you do not correct the mistakes ahead of time, you could end up with a higher interest rate on your new home loan than you should.

Don’t Forget To Think About Closing Costs

You need to consider closing costs before you apply for a home refinance. Just because interest rates have gone down doesn’t necessarily mean you will save money. In general, if you can get a home loan that is at least a half of a percentage point lower, you should save money when compared to the closing costs you will owe; however, you should always do the math to calculate your break-even point. 

Do Think About The Equity You Will Have Left

If you complete a cash-out refinance, you need to calculate the amount of equity you will have left after the refinancing process is complete. While you might want to conduct a cash-out refinance to cover a major home repair or renovation, you do not necessarily want to completely deplete the equity in your home. You could end up with a very high-interest rate if you do so.

Don’t Forget To Talk To Your Lender About All the Options

When you refinance your home, you have multiple options available. You can tap into the equity in your home, reduce the size of your mortgage payments, or shorten the term of your loan. You should think about your goals and decide which option is best for your needs. Always talk to an expert before completing the refinance process.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Closing Costs, Equity, Mortgage

Owning A Home Can Contribute To A Retirement Portfolio

March 16, 2022 by Linda Culotta

Owning A Home Can Contribute To A Retirement PortfolioMany people dream of retiring one day, and there are numerous assets that contribute to that retirement goal. Social security, pension plans, and savings accounts have traditionally provided assets people use to enjoy their retirement; however, this traditional plan ignores one of the most valuable assets. Owning a home can contribute significantly to someone’s retirement goals; however, it is important to have a firm plan in place to make those retirement dreams come true. There are several ways a home can play an important role in that plan. 

The Value Of A House Traditionally Increases Over Time

Many people who purchase a home take out a fixed-rate, 30-year mortgage. Then, if they stay in their house long enough, they might have it completely paid off by the time they retire. When someone owns a house outright, they can sell it and use the value of that home to fund their retirement or purchase another house. If they don’t feel like moving, they might take out a home equity line of credit to generate more income and fund their retirement. 

Too Many People Overlook The Value Of A Home

Even though owning a home is a great way to build wealth, a lot of people overlook the value of a home with respect to retirement. Many people are taking on much more debt than they did in the past. This is making it more difficult for people to purchase a home. As a result, it might take longer for someone to pay off their home, making it harder to retire one day. That is why it is critical for people to think about purchasing a house as early as possible. That way, they have more time to build their assets, compound their wealth, and pay off the home. 

Retirement Dreams Require Diversification

Ultimately, those who dream of retiring one day need to focus on diversifying their assets. Even though traditional retirement plans are helpful, it is also critical to think about the value of real estate. It can make a significant difference to the totality of a retirement plan.

 

Filed Under: Mortagage Tips Tagged With: Equity, Owning A Home, Retirement

  • 1
  • 2
  • 3
  • 4
  • Next Page »
Linda Culotta

Linda Culotta

Broker/Owner - Loan Officer
Market Rate Mortgages, powered by Fidelity Direct Mortgage
Call (239) 398-3978
linda.culotta@fdmhome.com
NMLS# 213838
Licensed to work in: Florida (LO67655)
Get a Rate Quote →

Click to Download My App!
Linda Culotta

Connect with Me

How can I help?

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Browse articles by category

Archives

Quick Links

  • About
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact Us
NMLS# 213838
Licensed to work in: Florida (LO67655)

Equal Housing Lender

Our Location


Naples, Florida 34114

Copyright © 2022 · Powered by MySMARTblog

Copyright © 2022 · Genesis Sample Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in