Being a first-time homebuyer has always been challenging, especially in Boulder County. The situation was just as difficult 40 years ago, although the figures were different back then. When I began selling real estate in Boulder in 1978, houses in the Baseline Subdivision (east of 30th Street and north of Baseline Road) were priced at […]
Alternative financing when mortgage rates are too high for comfort
As mortgage rates rise, it isn’t quite as easy to come up with alternative financing ideas as in “the olden days”! However, there are a few alternatives that are still out there. When interest rates on mortgage loans climbed to historic levels in the 1980s, it was very hard for the consumer to secure a […]
Options for financing when interest rates go up
The most popular mortgage loan evolved into what is the 30-year amortized loan, which has become one of the primary reasons for increasing the level of homeownership in the United States. Amortizing means some of the principal of the loan amount is paid off each month, allowing homeowners to build equity and avoid a large […]
Financing options when interest rates rise
The 30-year mortgage has been the mainstay of American homebuying for decades. The 30-year mortgage came about as a result of the housing crisis of the 1920s. Back then, a typical mortgage was three to five years with a variable rate, and payments only covered the interest. Often, large down payments were required. The most […]
Buying or refinancing your home with an interest-only loan
Another tool to help buyers in an accelerating market is the interest-only mortgage. (Photo: Karolina Grabowska/Pexels). The 30-year fully amortized loan has been the mainstay of real estate financing in the U.S. for decades, yet market conditions often bring about different types of mortgages to help buyers get into a home. At one time, there […]
Should I co-sign a mortgage for a relative?
Frequently, first-time homebuyers will turn to relatives to help with a down payment or to cosign on the loan. In Boulder County, the prices of homes have risen steadily, and even more so this year with very low inventory and high buyer and investor demand. Due to this, it has been much more difficult for […]
Financing options for renovation or fix-and-flip
Springtime has arrived and people are thinking about major renovations, repairs, or restorations on their home or even purchasing a home for fix-and-flip. Springtime has arrived and people are thinking about major renovations, repairs, or restorations on their home – or even purchasing a home for fix-and-flip. Here are a few options to consider […]
Rising mortgage rates: Lock or not?
To lock or not to lock, that is the home buyer’s choice. Over the last several years we have enjoyed record-low mortgage rates that have, for the most part, been stable. The most recent peak in interest rates was November 2018 with an average reported rate of 4.81% for 30-year loans. Afterwards, the trend moved […]