Skip To Content

Monthly Archives: January 2019

    Is a Home Equity Loan an Option?

    By Mike Parker | January 30, 2019

    Here’s the scenario: you have a project and need to borrow some money, but you want to do it in the most economic manner.  You’ve got a low rate on your existing first mortgage and don’t want to do a cash-out refinance and pay a higher rate.  Is a home equity loan an option? Prior... Read More

    Home Inventory

    By Mike Parker | January 24, 2019

    Generally speaking, when you need an inventory of your personal belongings, it is too late to make one.  Sure, you can reconstruct it but undoubtedly, you’ll forget things and that can cost you money when filing your insurance claim. Most homeowner’s policies have a certain amount of coverage for personal items that can be 40-60%... Read More

    Standard or Itemized Deductions

    By Mike Parker | January 17, 2019

    The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 increased the standard deduction to $24,000 for married couples.  There will be some instances that homeowners may be better off taking the standard deduction than itemizing their deductions.  In the past, homeowners would most likely be better off itemizing but the $10,000 limit of state and local... Read More

    Eliminate FHA Mortgage Insurance

    By Mike Parker | January 7, 2019

    Mortgage insurance premium can add almost $200 to the payment on a $265,000 FHA mortgage.  The decision to get an FHA loan may have been the lower down payment requirement or the lower credit score levels, but now that you have the loan, is it possible to eliminate it? Mortgage Insurance Premium protects lenders in... Read More