Guaranteed Homebuyer Blog

Mortgage Matters

A blog for home buyers and home owners

What are today’s home buyers searching for?
Today’s homebuyers look a bit different from those a decade or so ago. Their must-haves in a home are different, too – and new home footprints are changing to adapt to these newer needs and wants. Luxury McMansions don’t interest them – but uniqueness and tech-savvy options do. A recent survey by Better Homes & Gardens [...]

Top Tips for First-time Home Buyers: Your House Contract
Now that you’ve found the right home, it’s time to work with your agent to negotiate your purchase contract. The options you choose to include or eliminate from your contract can have a significant impact not only on the success of your purchase transaction, but on your stress level as well. Here are some important [...]

Freddie Mac Releases Streamlined Modification for Hurricane Sandy-hit and Delinquent Borrowers
If you’re a homeowner whose home was pummeled by Hurricane Sandy, or if you’re a homeowner with a delinquent mortgage – more help may be sight for you – if your loan is owned by Freddie Mac. Freddie Mac announced on Monday that its latest Streamlined Modification program is now available to all eligible borrowers. [...]

The waiting game
What to do and what NOT to do while waiting to close You’ve submitted your application, and your loan consultant says everything looks good. You’ve delivered all the back-updocumentation that they’ve required. Now you’re waiting. This waiting period is a very important time – time NOT to do a few things, and time to make sure [...]

Top Tips for First-Time Buyers: Home shopping tips
Finally – you’re ready to start searching for your next home! When you selected your real estate agent, he or she may have already guided you through this process, but here are a few tips to consider when you begin home shopping. Make a list of the features you definitely want, would like but aren’t [...]

Top Tips for First-time Homebuyers: Pick a Real Estate Agent
There are nearly as many real estate agents out there as there are homes for sale. How do you select the best from each category? By doing your homework, of course. One more step before you begin the “fun” part (the house hunting). First, you want to select a good real estate agent who will [...]

Top Tips for First-time Buyers: Figure Your Payments
You’ve been preapproved (in the previous step), so you have a good idea how much home you can buy. But before you start in-earnest house-hunting with a real estate agent, take a quick look online at such websites as zillow.com, trulia.com or homes.com to get an idea of approximately what a home may cost you [...]

The Good, the Bad, the Ugly…and the Very Good
In the world of mortgage lending, there is some good, some bad and some ugly news. Similar to the famous movie, this too has to do with money. Awareness of this news can often help improve the mortgage experience and help avoid frustration. The Good: Contrary to what one may hear on the street or [...]

Top 7 Tips for First-time Buyers: Get Pre-Approved
#4: Start loan shopping AND get pre-approved You’ve worked on improving your credit status. You’ve been diligently saving for a down payment and closing costs. Now you’re almost ready to start home shopping. There are two steps in this tip as you’re beginning to shop around for your loan. First, you’ll need to get a [...]

Top 7 Tips for First-Time Buyers: Boost Your Credit Score
#5: Improve your credit score How can you boost your credit score? You’ve heard the old saying, that time is the best healer? Often that holds true in repairing your credit history, too. There’s no quick fix; improving your credit score takes time. In fact, quick-fix efforts can backfire. It’s far better to manage your [...]