Author: Roberta Murphy Thompson

Home buyers often choose between 30-year, 15-year, or even 40-year fixed-rate mortgage loans. A 40-year loan offers lower monthly payments, making it possible to afford a more expensive home, but it results in significantly higher total interest paid over time. For example, a $180,000 loan at 4.25% interest would cost about $194,657 in interest over 40 years compared to $137,777 for a 30-year loan. Ultimately, the choice of mortgage length…

Purchasing a home is an exciting journey, and mortgage pre-approval is a crucial step. It demonstrates to sellers that you are a serious buyer. Start by checking your credit score and improving it if necessary. Gather essential documents like income verification, proof of assets, and identification. Submit your application accurately. Once pre-approved, review your letter to understand your borrowing capacity. With this letter, you can confidently explore the real estate…

To improve mortgage approval chances as a self-employed borrower, prepare extensive documentation like tax returns, business financials, and proof of ongoing work. Consider buying a cheaper property or making a larger down payment to offset income fluctuations. Maintain excellent credit and manage your debt-to-income ratio, ideally below 36%, to appear less risky to lenders and secure better loan terms. Continue to full article

South Florida home sales in October showed mixed results with more stability after September's spike. Miami-Dade single-family home sales dropped 28.6% year-over-year and over 50% from September. Palm Beach and Broward counties saw increases of 55.6% and 37.6% respectively compared to last year, but both declined from September's high figures. Condo sales fell 38.5% in Miami-Dade, rose 5.5% in Broward, and jumped 41.5% in Palm Beach. Continue to full article