3 Smart Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping for a Mortgage
1. It Pays to Shop Around
A home is likely the biggest purchase you’ve ever made, so even a small difference in interest rates can make a huge difference in the long run. Shopping around with several lenders is always a good idea.
A lot of people like to research using loan comparison websites, but you shouldn’t get over-excited about low advertised rates that you see online. Instead, you should talk to an actual loan officer who gives you a rate based on your credit score, income, and debt level.
2. Haggling is Allowed
After you apply for a mortgage, the lender must send you a three-page document known as a Loan Estimate. It outlines your estimated interest rate and monthly payments, as well as the various closing costs associated with your loan.
Often, one of the biggest line items is the “loan origination fee,” which covers the commission that’s paid to the loan officer or broker selling you the mortgage. Some lenders are willing to negotiate on these, especially if you have a bigger loan amount. But you have to ask.
3. Sometimes Less is More
A pre-approval shows how much credit the lender is willing to offer you. But that doesn’t mean it’s a good idea to spend that entire amount on your new mortgage. Over time, the cost of other things, like health insurance, food, and tuition, is almost certain to rise. So having some additional money for savings and investments certainly won’t hurt.
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Portable protectors are either clunky, or they’re low on battery power. The Kodak is neither. You get three hours of play time, which is plenty for watching the latest Marvel movie. The resolution is brilliant, as is the clarity. And you can stream directly from whatever service you prefer, or connect it with your iPhone, laptop, or tablet. There’s even screen-mirroring. It comes with a remote, or you can control it directly from the monitor. Welcome to outdoor movie night, but better.
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Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are estimated to affect one in every 270 people worldwide. But there’s a saying in the autism community: “If you’ve met one person with autism, you’ve met one person with autism.” In this episode of Live.Work.Thrive, Scary Mommy and Fatherly team up to bring a panel of experts to discuss how parents can recognize their children for the individuals they are. The discussion will include ideas about how to help your autistic child thrive.
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You need to have a mission statement for the big picture and then really look at the nuts and bolts. These are things that businesses do to try to make the day-to-day run smoothly.
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