I want to buy a house. Where do I start?

Buying a home is likely the most expensive transaction you will make in your lifetime. It can be a bit overwhelming. At times, it can even feel impossible. How do you prepare to buy a home? How do first-time homebuyers find the cash for a down payment and closing costs? How much does it all […]

So, the Fed cut rates, now what?

So, the Fed cut rates yesterday, now what? After nine months of holding steady, the Federal Reserve cut the Fed Funds Rate by 25 basis points yesterday. This was expected and the mortgage market had already lowered mortgage rates in anticipation of this. So, how did the mortgage market respond? It is important to note […]

How Has Homebuying Changed in the Past 20 Years?

It’s been a while since you bought your last house. Maybe it was the home you raised your children in, they are all now grown and you’re ready to downsize. Perhaps your parents are getting older and need a little help and you are looking for a multigenerational home. Or maybe you have been dreaming […]

When Is The Right Time To Refinance?

If you’ve been watching mortgage rates wondering if now is the right time to refinance, you might be right. But there isn’t one cookie cutter answer to when the perfect time is to refinance. Instead, it is a very personal, individualized answer that examines your specific circumstances and goals. We call that magic, personal number […]

Assessed Value vs. Appraised Value: What Every Homebuyer Should Know

If you’ve been diving into the world of homebuying, you’ve probably run into a ton of new terms—some of them sound similar, but mean very different things. One that trips up a lot of first-time buyers is assessed value vs. appraised value. They both put a number on a home, but they’re used for completely […]

Philadelphia Transfer Tax: What is it & How will the increase impact me?

📊 What the transfer tax covers & how it works It applies to nearly all transfers of real estate within Philadelphia—including sales, 30+ year leases, easements, transfers of entity ownership, gifts, and more Typically, buyer and seller split the tax 50/50, though the city can hold either party responsible. The responsibility is part of the […]

The Difference Between Warrantable and Non-Warrantable Condos

Warrantable vs. Nonwarrantable Condos: What’s the Difference? In the mortgage world, “warrantable” and “nonwarrantable” are terms we use to describe how a condo property is viewed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac — the two big government-sponsored entities that set guidelines for most conventional loans. Their approval (or lack of it) impacts whether you can […]

How Do I Know If There’s A Lien On My Home

What is a lien? A lien is a legal claim or right against a property, typically used as collateral to satisfy a debt. If you have a lien on your property, the lienholder (the entity that placed the lien) has a legal interest in the property, meaning they can claim part of its value or […]

Do I Really Need A Home Inspection?

You have been searching for months for the right home at the right price. You may have even made an offer or two only to have lost to another buyer. You’ve finally found THE ONE and your offer has been accepted. The house is well-maintained and in great condition. Do you really need a home […]

Bridge Loans: How to buy a home before selling your current one.

It’s a common situation: you are ready to move and have found the perfect new home, but you need to sell your current home to fund the purchase. Many homeowners don’t have the liquid assets to carry two mortgages at the same time. You could make an offer on the home contingent on the sale […]