Mortgage Consultant - Vaneh Hartouni - Equity Smart Loans

September 7, 1981, the interest rates were around 18.2%. At the start of 2022, many housing economists expected mortgage rates to hit 4% by year end. Last week, they nearly reached 7% — the highest point in 20 years. But the rates are not the highest its ever been. Most investors having been waiting for along time to leverage from high interest rate market to capitalize on their gains. The affordability may be difficult for some buyers but if you can afford the mortgage payments, this is a much better time to invest in real estate than it was last year. What are your thoughts?

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to start investing… Obviously, there are several things to take care of before you can start investing. You need to cover rent or mortgage payments, monthly bills, groceries, etc., and you also need some money set aside for emergencies. But once you’ve accomplished that, it’s time to start investing for the future. Here are 5 steps to help you start investing… https://1l.ink/MD74GVV

Ok, today we are going to talk about what a stratified market is and what it means to you… If you’re planning to buy or sell a house, you’re probably already familiar with the terms “buyer’s market” and “seller’s market.” In a buyer’s market, there are more homes than buyers, so prices drop and buyers get better deals. In a seller’s market there are more buyers than homes, so prices rise and sellers make more money. But there’s a third type of market, and it’s called a stratified market. Here’s what you need to know… https://1l.ink/LMHHGZD

Ok, today we are going to review everything you need to know about second mortgages… What is a second mortgage? A second mortgage is an additional loan taken out on a property that’s already mortgaged. Second mortgages are riskier for lenders than first mortgages because they’re in second position on your property's title. As a result, the interest rate on second mortgages is higher. Here’s what you need to know about second mortgages… https://1l.ink/V7RH26F

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to convert a construction loan into a traditional mortgage… If you’re planning to build a house or do a major renovation, you usually can’t qualify for a traditional mortgage because there’s no existing home to use as collateral. What you need is a construction loan, which is based on the projected future value of the completed property. Generally, construction loans are interest-only while the house is being built. Then when construction is complete, you refinance into a regular mortgage. Here’s how the process works… https://1l.ink/FFSH5NK

Ok, today we are going to talk about how much home renovations can cost… Renovations can help make your home more comfortable and easier to sell. But depending on what you’re planning, they can also be expensive. To help you budget for your next project, the HomeAdvisor website has published a list of typical costs for renovation projects. Here’s a list of the most common renos and how much they cost… https://1l.ink/54XZGPJ

Ok, today we are going to talk about 10 factors that determine your home’s value… Coming up with the right price for your home is a science. It’s not based on how much you love your home or how much money you need to get out of it. It’s based on what a potential buyer is willing to pay for a home like yours in the current market. Here are 10 factors that determine your home’s worth… https://1l.ink/5WWJKTN

Ok, today we are going to talk about 6 things to do before you list your house… If you’re thinking of selling soon, you’ve probably already started working on enhancements like painting, replacing appliances, installing new flooring or re-grouting bathrooms. But there are lots of little maintenance items you need to take care of too. Here are 6 things to do before you list your house… https://1l.ink/D4NHNN6

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to maximize the sale price of your home… Selling your home isn’t as simple as putting up a For Sale sign. There are many things to do in advance to prepare yourself financially and make sure your home sells for top dollar. Here are 5 ways to maximize the sale price of your home… https://1l.ink/SCLKGMQ

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to build your savings up FAST! Have an unexpected financial need? Rather than borrowing or putting it on your credit card—which just makes your financial situation worse—consider accelerated saving. Here are 7 ways to accelerate your savings… https://1l.ink/W7LMCW4

Ok, today we are going to talk about 4 risks of home equity loans… A home equity loan lets you borrow some of the equity you’ve built up in your home. For most people home equity loans are a convenient, affordable way to access extra cash. But they’re not without risk. Here are 4 things to consider before applying for a home equity loan… https://1l.ink/DPMM5TJ

Ok, today we are going to talk about 5 things you need to know about foreclosures… Heaven forbid, you get several months late on mortgage payments, your lender’s last resort is to initiate foreclosure. This is a lengthy and expensive process for your lender, but its impact on you can be even more negative. Here’s 5 facts you need to know about the foreclosure process… https://1l.ink/H5NKV3M

Ok, today we are going to talk about what cash reserves are and why you need them to buy a home… When buying a house, most people only think about saving enough to cover a down payment and closing costs. But lenders like to see more than that. Borrowers who have additional “cash reserves” are considered lower risk and are more likely to be approved for financing at the lowest possible rate. So, what are “cash reserves” and how can they benefit you? Take a look… https://1l.ink/P7XXVSD

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to furnish your home on a budget… If you’ve just bought a home, you may feel pressured to furnish the whole thing all at once, which can be expensive. But there are many ways to moderate costs. Here are 6 tips for furnishing your home on a budget… https://1l.ink/VVNSDJJ

Ok, today we are going to talk about three things you need to know before you borrow from your home equity… Accessing your home equity through a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out refinance can be an affordable way to pay for renovations or education. Here are 3 things you need to know before applying for a HELOC… https://1l.ink/VZ3C5DM

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to finance a new home build… If you’re looking for a home that offers the latest energy efficiencies, low maintenance costs, and every amenity and convenience your family desires, maybe you should consider building new. Just keep in mind that financing new construction is a little more complicated. Here’s what you need to know… https://1l.ink/QDSW4QH

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to rebuild your finances if you’ve suffered from financial abuse… Being in an unhealthy relationship could be emotionally, physically, or even financially damaging. And according to recent statistics, 99% of domestic violence also includes financial abuse. Here’s what to do if you’re in a financially abusive situation, or if you’re recovering from one… https://1l.ink/TVNV3VG

Ok, today we are going to talk about the 9 questions to ask your Realtor before you list your home with them… Finding and selecting a Realtor is an important step in the selling process. Recent data suggests that “For Sale by Owner” houses sell for about 25% less than houses sold by Realtors. To find the Realtor who’ll work best for you, interview two or three and ask them important things about their work experience, past sales, qualifications, etc. Here are 9 questions to ask your Realtor before you list… https://1l.ink/3GMTR3H

Ok, today we are going to talk about what a force majeure clause is and where or not it applies to your mortgage… “Force majeure” is French for superior force. It’s a term used in legal documents that can sometimes let a person or business get out of a contract. Here’s what you need to know and when it could apply to you… https://1l.ink/M3H84R5

Ok, today we are going to talk about real estate planning and why it’s necessary… You don’t have to be wealthy to have an estate plan. No matter who you are, you probably have possessions you’d like your children to have once you’re gone. And you definitely want to have a say in who will take care of your kids if you die before your time. Here are 4 reasons why you should start thinking about estate planning today… https://1l.ink/CS54FN5

Ok, today we are going to talk about when it is smart to pay off your mortgage early… Being mortgage-free sounds wonderful. But as with most financial choices, there are pros and cons. Before using an inheritance, a raise or savings to pay off your mortgage early, there are some important things to consider. Here’s 7 things to consider if you want to pay your mortgage off early… https://1l.ink/WT2BJMX

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to prepare your finances for a natural disaster or pandemic… The thing about crisis situations is that you never know when to expect them. The only way to cope is by being prepared. Here are 4 ways to prepare your finances to help you make it through challenging times… https://1l.ink/VGC24W5

Ok, today we are going to talk about when the best time to do certain updates on your home is… Timing renovations can be tricky. The sooner you remodel, the longer you have to enjoy your beautiful new home. But if you remodel too far in advance of selling, everything’s going to look outdated by the time you list your home. Here’s a yearly schedule broken down that will help you know when to update what… https://1l.ink/23BTQPR

Ok, today we are going to talk about how you can save time and money paying your utility bills on your home… Monthly bills are inevitable and predictable. But for some people, bills come as a surprise just when they can least afford them. Here’s 6 tips to save you time and money paying your utility bills… https://1l.ink/QQNGKBW

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to manage your finances during a recession… Nobody welcomes a recession. But if you’re among the fortunate majority that still has an income and a home, a recession can actually be a time of valuable learning and growth. Here are 5 ways to manage your finances during a recession… https://1l.ink/QH7J72R

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to create or update your home office space… The COVID pandemic introduced many of us to working from home. And regardless of being in a pandemic or not, many of us will continue to and have been working from home already. So now’s the time to make your home office as efficient, comfortable and uplifting as possible. Here are 6 ways to make your home office work better… https://1l.ink/GJX7JKB

Ok, today we are going to talk about 6 things you need to examine closely in a home inspection… Buying a home is a huge investment, and unfortunately, we’re not all qualified to judge whether a home is worth the money. That’s why it’s essential to hire a professional home inspector. Here are 6 things to pay extra attention to in any home inspection… https://1l.ink/KSCKQHH

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to pay off your credit card so you can live a stress-free future… If you’re like most people, emergencies, illnesses, job losses or more can put a dent in your credit cards. To make matters worse, most credit cards have high interest rates that make them difficult to pay off. But paying off your cards is exactly what you need to do to achieve a secure and stress-free financial future. Here are 6 tips for paying off your credit cards… https://1l.ink/CDG6G6H

Ok, today we are going to talk about how to save money on home insurance… Insurance is absolutely essential to home ownership. You have to be confident that your investment and your family are adequately protected. However, there’s no reason to pay more for home insurance than you have to. Here are 7 ways to save money on home insurance… https://1l.ink/XRLDFPM