Self-employed-mortgagesEver get the feeling that mortgages are designed for people with 9 to 5 jobs? You're not alone. Self-employment can sometimes cause potential homebuyers to hit a mortgage wall, due to a lack of steady income. Not to worry though. Self-employed folks can qualify for mortgages too! By being proactive, you too can get approved for a mortgage. These tips are designed to help you increase the odds of homeownership.

Shop for homes without HOA fees

Believe it or not, homeowner association fees are included as a part of your mortgage calculation. So make a point to look for homes without any HOA fees. It may be the difference in getting approved or rejected by a lender.

Look at your tax history

Lenders determine your monthly income by looking at your…

2531 Views, 1 Comments

With every year comes new innovations in smart home technology. From smart appliances to automated home security, our homes are constantly evolving to accommodate high-tech lifestyles of the 21st Century. These smart home devices are designed to make your day to day living easier. Here are five of our favorites.

Amazon Echo

At first glance, Amazon Echo looks like your standard portable speaker, but it's so much more. Not only does it play music with exceptional sound quality, this multi-tasking device has a voice activated feature designed to answer questions. It also relays the news, weather forecasts, creates to do lists and alarms.

Since it's connected to the cloud, the power of the Internet is at your service. The cost for this handy…

2883 Views, 1 Comments

austin-real-estate-newsStay connected with the latest Austin real estate news. See what's happening in Austin and stay ahead of the game in this increasingly competitive market. Courtesy of JBGoodwin REALTORS®. This month we feature stories on Austin rental rates, Hotel San Jose, and a high profile listing in The Domain.

Rents ease as thousands of new apartments come into Austin market

American Statesman

Austin renters may find some relief in 2015 when it comes to their monthly rents. Over 10,000 apartment units entered the Austin real estate market in 2014, and another 8,000 units are expected to be added in 2015. This translates into cheaper rents as supply catches up with the overwhelming demand for housing. In fact, Austin's occupancy rate was at 94 percent in the…

3339 Views, 0 Comments

first-time-homebuyer-incentivesDue to recent policy changes affecting government-backed loans which focus on the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) and secondary mortgage market giants Fannie Mae (The Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (The Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation), first-time home buyers could find it less costly to come up with a down payment or to afford private mortgage insurance (PMI).  This is a result of the current administration lowering the premium that borrowers with an FHA-backed home loan must pay for mortgage insurance.  This has been lowered from 1.35% to 0.85%. 

The average home buyer is estimated to save up to $900 a year.  The move will help save homeowners that want to refinance their mortgage as well.

Purchase a Home With 3%…

2737 Views, 0 Comments