Appraisal or Inspection? Which do you get? One or the other? or both? As a first time homebuyer, you may not understand the difference between the two. The answer to the question is – you get both because they are very different.
The newest addition to the art museums in Washington is the Rubell Museum DC, related to the Rubell Museum in Miami. The new Rubell Museum DC welcomes visitors through a beautiful glass entryway that leads to an open space with wall-to-wall works of art. Sunlight streams through giant windows, creating grid patterns that warm the … Continued
Wondering how to register for kindergarten in Montgomery County for Fall 2022? There are a few simple steps to start your five year old off right!
Sumner Court Condos in Bethesda is a small community of 72 garden style condos on Sentinel Drive hidden away between Massachusetts Avenue and MacArthur Boulevard off Sangamore Road. The community is close to the Shops at Sumner Place, the canal and downtown Bethesda.
The February 2022 Market Report in Bethesda Maryland lets you know what is for sale, how quickly homes are selling and what they are selling for. If you are thinking of buying or selling your home in Bethesda MD, you want to read more!
Sumner Village Condos in Bethesda are perfect if you are looking for a quiet community surrounded by trees and walking paths, but still close to shops, restaurants and commuting routes. Sumner Village is just a few miles to downtown Bethesda so you can have it all here! You will be close to all the activity of downtown Bethesda but still enjoying the serenity of natural settings close to the Canal and the park. You definitely should be looking at SUMNER VILLAGE, Sentinel Drive, Bethesda, MD 20816!
Should you increase your homeowner’s insurance deductible? If you own a house, you need homeowner’s insurance. You may be able to lower your premiums significantly and save money each month by raising your homeowner’s insurance deductible. But before you do so, weigh the pros and cons.
The Springlake Condominiums are affordable, spacious, and convenient to the Beltway and I-270. They are close to shopping and Cabin John Park and are a short walk to the Westfield Mall. Isn’t it nice to know there are affordable condominiums in Bethesda? Besides West Spring Condominiums, be sure to check out Chelsea Tower and Westlake Tower too.
Looking at homes for sale can be the fun part of buying a house. The real work comes when you’re picking a mortgage lender that can give you the best loan for your circumstances.
After detailing your income, expenses, down payment and a monthly mortgage you can afford, a lender will run a credit check and should be able to tell you the best options for the interest rate and loan product.
Here are some questions to ask as you comparison shop for a lender:
What’s the interest rate?
This will be based on your loan and credit score, and determines your monthly payment. The lower the interest rate, the lower the payment. Improving your credit score can help lower the interest rate you qualify for.
Fixed rate or ARM?
Fixed-rate loans have the same interest rate for the life of the loan, from 10 to 30 years. Interest rates on adjustable-rate mortgages, or ARMs, change after an initial period, such as a year, and then at regular intervals.
Ask how often an ARM rate will change, the index its tied to, and what the cap is on the interest rate during one period and the life of the loan. Make sure you can afford the higher rate. An ARM will have a lower interest rate than a fixed-rate loan, and can be a good idea if you’re not planning on living in the home for long.
How much is the monthly mortgage?
Answering the first two questions will get you to this answer. It’s a number you should already have in mind before looking for a house, and should be an amount you can afford.
Be sure to include other monthly costs, including insurance, taxes and, if required, private mortgage insurance, or PMI. This insurance is often needed if you don’t have a 20 percent down payment and is meant to protect the mortgage company if you default on the loan.
Any fees?
One-time fees called “points” are due at closing and each point paid will lower your interest rate by 1 percent. Another option is to not pay any closing costs upfront and to have them rolled into the loan in exchange for a higher interest rate.
If you want to lock in the interest rate and points for a certain amount of time in case rates go up, you may have to pay a fee.
Also ask if there are fees for making extra mortgage payments so you can pay off the principal amount early. Some loans don’t have prepayment penalties, but some do.
A lender should be able to help you find the best home loan for your finances. Just be sure not to sign a contract with them until you’re satisfied you’re getting the best deal with the best mortgage lender you can find.
I hope you found this information helpful. Please call me with any questions at 240-401-5577 (C) or 202-243-7700 (O)!
The Christopher in downtown Bethesda is a medium sized high rise community with a pool, exercise room, ample parking and front desk a block from the metro. There are several sizes to chose from at the Christopher Condos, and each offers great value and walkability! The Christopher Condos are pet friendly and each unit has its own washer and dryer.