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Hard Inquiry vs. Soft Inquiry — What’s the Difference?

July 17, 2024 by Robby Oakes

Most people know that your credit score can drop if you miss a payment or have a new collection filed against you. But how about when you apply for new credit? Yes, a credit application will trigger a “hard inquiry” on your report, which can have an impact on your credit score. Here’s what to know about hard inquiries, and how they compare with “soft inquiries.”

Filed Under: Credit Scoring Tagged With: Credit Score, Credit Tips, Hard Inquiry

Understanding Warrantable vs. Non-Warrantable When Purchasing a Condo

July 16, 2024 by Robby Oakes

When you’re shopping for a condo, there’s a bit more on your plate than just the typical homebuying concerns like credit scores, interest rates, and loan programs. A crucial aspect is understanding the role of the Homeowners’ Association (HOA) and whether the condo is warrantable or non-warrantable. This distinction can significantly impact your mortgage process and future as a condo owner.

Filed Under: Home Buyer Tips Tagged With: Condo Buying, Home Buying, Mortgage Tips

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 15th, 2024

July 15, 2024 by Robby Oakes

With lofty expectations, the CPI delivered a lower-than-expected inflation increase, leading to a positive uptake across many lending partners and markets. However, the PPI was on the opposite end of that, with a higher-than-expected inflation rate increase, muting the positive response from the CPI data release.

Filed Under: Financial Reports Tagged With: Financial Report, Jobless Claims, Mortgage Rates

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 15th, 2024

July 15, 2024 by Robby Oakes

With lofty expectations, the CPI delivered a lower-than-expected inflation increase, leading to a positive uptake across many lending partners and markets. However, the PPI was on the opposite end of that, with a higher-than-expected inflation rate increase, muting the positive response from the CPI data release.

Filed Under: Financial Reports Tagged With: Financial Report, Jobless Claims, Mortgage Rates

The Difference Between Pending And Contingent Deals

July 12, 2024 by Robby Oakes

The real estate market can be a bit confusing, especially when you encounter terms like “pending” and “contingent” deals. Understanding these terms is crucial whether you’re a buyer or a seller, as they can significantly impact the progression of a property transaction.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Contingencies, Mortgage Basics, Real Estate

House Hacking Pros And Cons Explained

July 11, 2024 by Robby Oakes

Have you ever heard of house hacking? It’s a real estate strategy that allows you to live in a property while renting out part of it to generate income. This approach helps offset your living expenses and can even pave the way to financial independence. Here’s a breakdown of what house hacking entails, along with its benefits and drawbacks.

Filed Under: Homebuyer Tips Tagged With: House Hacking, Landlord, Reduce Living Expenses

Preparing for a Mortgage? 5 Ways to Build Credit Without Credit a History

July 10, 2024 by Robby Oakes

Building a credit profile from scratch can be a daunting task, especially for those who have no credit history. These individuals, often referred to as having a “thin credit file,” face challenges in securing loans, credit cards, or even mortgages.

Filed Under: Credit Scoring Tagged With: Credit Building, Financial Advice, personal finance

Green Mortgages Financing Energy Efficient Homes

July 9, 2024 by Robby Oakes

A green mortgage is a type of home loan designed to incentivize energy-efficient building practices. These mortgages are specifically tailored for properties that meet certain environmental standards, encouraging homeowners and buyers to consider energy efficiency as a key factor in their purchasing decisions.

Filed Under: Homeowner Tips Tagged With: Eco Friendly, Energy Efficient Mortgage, Mortgage

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – July 8th, 2024

July 8, 2024 by Robby Oakes

With the FOMC Minutes coming precisely within expectations, there is once again a lot of optimism that the Federal Reserve may cut rates this year. Much of the Q2 data reports show favorable amounts of reduction in inflation as well as a more stable economic outlook for the rest of the year. With the larger reports in PMI Manufacturing numbers and Non-farm Payroll figures, the overall outlook seems to align with the rest of the data points, justifying the more recent optimism about potential rate cuts. This week should give the final results on Q2 inflation results with the new releases of CPI and PPI data reports.

Filed Under: Financial Reports Tagged With: Financial Report, Jobless Claims, Mortgage Rates

The Pros and Cons of Mortgage Life Insurance

July 5, 2024 by Robby Oakes

Mortgage life insurance is a type of policy designed to pay off your mortgage in the event of your death. As with any financial product, it has its pros and cons. Understanding these can help you determine whether it makes sense for your situation.

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Insurance Coverage, Mortgage, Mortgage Life Insurance

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Robby Oakes


Robby Oakes

CIMG Managing  Director
NMLS# 91606

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