Tag: Bob Musinski

What Is PMI? Here’s What You Need to Know About Private Mortgage Insurance | Mortgages and Advice
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What Is PMI? Here’s What You Need to Know About Private Mortgage Insurance | Mortgages and Advice

Many lenders allow a 5%, 3% or even 0% down payment for a mortgage, so it’s no wonder some buyers are choosing not to put down the traditional amount of 20% when they buy a home. A downside of a down payment below 20% is that a buyer will need to pay private mortgage insurance possibly every month for several years.If you’re wondering what PMI is, here's an introduction to how it works and some tips on how to stop paying it as soon as possible.What Is Private Mortgage Insurance?PMI is an insurance policy that protects the lender in case you default on your mortgage."Mortgage insurance is generally required when the loan-to-value ratio is higher than 80%," says Ron Haynie, senior vice president of mortgage finance policy for the Independent Community Bankers of America.If you’re putting do...
Should You Co-Sign a Mortgage Loan? | Mortgages and Advice
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Should You Co-Sign a Mortgage Loan? | Mortgages and Advice

If you have good credit and a stable income, you could help a close friend or family member get approved for a mortgage by co-signing the loan. But whether you should co-sign a mortgage depends on whether you can afford the risk to your credit, finances and personal relationship with the borrower. What Does It Mean to Be a Co-Signer on a Mortgage?A co-signer shares responsibility for the payment of a loan. If the borrower stops making payments, the co-signer is required to pay back the loan."When you co-sign a mortgage, you are signing up to be responsible for repaying that mortgage," says Dawn-Marie Joseph, founder of Estate Planning & Preservation in Williamston, Michigan. "If the mortgage payments don’t get made, it will impact your credit score and future borrowing power."If a mor...
Best Online Loans of 2023
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Best Online Loans of 2023

How to Compare Loans Online Look at these factors to choose the right online loan for your financial situation: APR range. Whenever you can, prequalify to check your odds of approval and to receive an estimated APR, monthly payment and loan amount. Then compare prequalified offers before you apply, which will trigger a hard credit inquiry that may cause a temporary dip in your credit score. Your loan's APR should not exceed 36%, which is considered predatory. Loan amount. Check the lender's minimum and maximum loan amounts, but keep in mind that how much you can borrow will depend on your creditworthiness. Borrow only what you need and can afford to repay. Many lenders have online payment calculators to help you determine the monthly cost of different loan amounts. Repayment period. H...