Private Mortgage Insurance

How long will I have to pay for private mortgage insurance?

It depends. There are generally two ways that private mortgage insurance (PMI) can be removed from your mortgage loan. The first is if you request PMI cancellation directly from your lender. The second is through termination by your lender.

You can request PMI cancellation directly from your lender once you have reached the date when the principal balance of your mortgage is scheduled to fall to 80% of the original value of your home. You can find this date on the PMI disclosure form that was given to you when you first obtained your mortgage. The cancellation request can be made earlier if you have made additional mortgage payments that have reduced your principal balance to 80% at an earlier date. Your lender may also require you to meet certain other criteria in order to cancel your PMI, such as … Read More

Working from home

Imagine that your employer gives you the choice between either working from home or commuting to the office throughout your work week. You might think the obvious choice is to work from the comfort of your own home; after all, staying in your pajamas all day and avoiding stressful commutes sound appealing. But there are some considerations to think about before you decide that telecommuting is right for you.

Advantages

Working from home could end up saving you a considerable amount of money. It eliminates the cost of commuting by cutting down what you spend on gas, public transportation and parking fees, and car maintenance. And depending on your company’s dress code, you could save what you might spend on expensive work-related clothes.… Read More

Buying a fixer upper?

What to Know About Buying a Fixer-Upper

Buying a fixer-upper property has become popularized thanks to home improvement shows. But buying a fixer-upper–either to keep or resell–isn’t just for TV.

Why purchase a fixer-upper?

There are many reasons to consider purchasing a fixer-upper, such as:

·         Profit potential–If you choose to rent or sell the home, you have an opportunity to earn an income or make a profit.… Read More