If you are retired and want to buy a home, you may wonder how retirement impacts your chances of qualifying for a mortgage and what you can do to improve your eligibility. The first thing to know is that under the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, no lender can legally refuse to offer you a mortgage […]
What to Know About Employment Requirements When Applying for a Mortgage
One of the most important factors in qualifying for a mortgage is your employment status. Unless you are retired and no longer need to be in the workforce, a lender is only going to consider offering you a loan if they can trust that you will continue to earn the income necessary over the years […]
4 Reasons to Lock in Fixed Mortgage Rates Now
If you have been thinking about buying a home or refinancing, this is a good time to lock in a fixed mortgage rate for the years ahead. Let’s go over a couple of reasons why. Mortgage rates are still very low. The biggest reason to lock in mortgage rates at the moment is that the […]
Tips for Buying a Home During COVID-19
Shopping for a home and choosing a mortgage in Seattle or elsewhere in Washington state during the coronavirus outbreak is a bit different than the usual process you may be familiar with. Nevertheless, with record low mortgage rates, this is a great time to consider investing in a home. If you do decide to purchase […]
Supporting Seattle and the Northwest
Some helpful links and resources during the coronavirus outbreak. Please let us know if we can be of any assistance during this time, call (206) 352-6453. Ballard Boys & Girls Club https://positiveplace.org/clubs/ballard/ Providing urgent childcare for first responders and parents in need. Ballard Food Bank https://www.ballardfoodbank.org/ University of Washington Medical Center https://online.gifts.washington.edu/peer2peer/Campaign/heroes Donate medical equipment, face masks, […]
How to Finance the Down Payment on a Second Home
If you are thinking about purchasing a second home, you probably already have figured out that doing so makes financial sense overall. But that doesn’t mean that there are not some hurdles to clear, one of which is figuring out how to afford the down payment. If you have not come up with a way […]
How to Minimize Closing Costs
Along with your down payment, interest rates and mortgage premiums, you need to think about the closing costs of your mortgage. The closing costs for mortgage include several different fees, such as: • The loan origination fee • The appraisal fee • The cost to pull your credit report • Discount points • Attorney fees […]
How Blue Square Mortgage Can Save You Money as Your Washington Mortgage Broker
Over the past few years, we’ve been seeing a lot of growth in the mortgage broker sector. Mortgage brokers are different from traditional lenders. But as a borrower, you may not be familiar with the distinction between the two. You also may not be aware that a mortgage broker can save you money. A mortgage […]
What to Know About Applying for a Mortgage When You Are Self-Employed
Applying for a home loan as a self-employed borrower can present obstacles which the traditional employee might not need to navigate. But you do not need to feel discouraged. It is possible to qualify for a competitive home loan in Washington if you own your own business. The following pointers should help you to avoid […]
Why Buy a Home With a Fixed Rate Loan?
When buying a home, you will need to choose whether you want a fixed rate or adjustable rate mortgage. There are scenarios where adjustable rate mortgages make sense, particularly for homebuyers who will only be in their homes for a few years. But for many homebuyers, a fixed rate mortgage is an ideal choice. Following […]
