Indiana USDA Blog
Is the Home I’m Interested in Located in USDA Mortgage Territory?
If you are looking for a home in Indiana that is eligible for USDA financing, you’re in luck! You will find that most of Indiana is eligible for USDA financing. The USDA provides an interactive map where you can either type in a specific address or view an eligibility map for a general area. Just a reminder, USDA financing is not only for the purchase of farmland or homes on farms. A USDA home loan, also known as the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program, is a mortgage loan offered to those purchasing a rural...
read moreAre Zero-Down Mortgages a Thing of the Past?
“So much has changed” “I miss miss the good old days” “Things aren’t what they used to be” These catch phrases apply to many situations… including mortgages. For those who haven’t gone through the home buying prices for many years, so much has changed concerning income, assets and credit scoring. One of the things that hasn’t changed is most loan programs require a percentage down to purchase a home. But is there still a zero-down product out there? Yes! There are several ways...
read moreSome Mistakes to Avoid When Buying a Home
Excited….. Overwhelmed…. These are two emotions often experienced when buying a home. Even more so if you are a first time home buyer. If you’ve already started the search process, make sure you’re not making some common mistakes. Your upcoming investment could end up being a bad decision if you overlook some important facts about home ownership and sign that contract before you’re really ready. Here are some key and common mistakes first time home buyers need to avoid: Mistake #1 – Searching for the...
read moreAvoiding Frozen Pipes in Frigid Temperatures
Indiana is, once again, experiencing a longstanding arctic blast that has crushed low temperature records. Just existing in subzero temperatures can be miserable. Add the mess of frozen and/or burst pipes; it can be enough to make you want to pack up and fly south! Everything we’ve learned in school says water starts freezing at 32°, but researchers say that may not be the case with pipes. Tests of residential water systems subjected to winter temperatures demonstrated that the onset of freezing occurred when the outside temperature...
read moreWhat May Stand Between You and Getting a Mortgage
If you or someone you know has been in the housing market recently, it’s likely you’ve experienced or heard that the process of getting a mortgage can be tough. Since the housing bubble burst (due in large part to just about anyone with a pulse qualifying for loans), the process has become much stricter. There are several things that may stand between you and getting the mortgage you need to buy the house of your dreams. Following are 5 to consider: 1. More Cautious Lenders After endless foreclosures, a recession, and bailouts, the...
read moreSave Money by Changing Your Furnace Filter
video via youtube Replacing your furnace or air conditioner’s filter on a regular basis can help to improve the efficiency and lifespan of your homes heating and cooling equipment while helping to reduce energy costs. Save Money Saving Energy host Ryan talks with Jay Stoa, LES Energy Services Specialist, about how to check your filter, when to change it and how to correctly install a new replacement...
read moreDon’t Let BLACK FRIDAY Get in the Way of Buying a Home!
Black Friday is nearly upon us. Newspaper inserts, emails and TV commercials abound with information about the “BEST DEALS EVER!”. You get to the store before the sun even thinks about coming up only to find that you can get an even better deal if you open a line of credit! STOP RIGHT THERE. If you are in the process of buying a home, or considering doing so anytime soon, we urge you to stop and collect your thoughts for a moment. What the heck does Black Friday have to do with buying a home!? That additional percentage off for...
read moreIs the Home I’m Interested in Located in USDA Mortgage Territory?
If you are looking for a home in Indiana that is eligible for USDA financing, you’re in luck! You will find that most of Indiana is eligible for USDA financing. The USDA provides an interactive map where you can either type in a specific address or view an eligibility map for a general area. Just a reminder, USDA financing is not only for the purchase of farmland or homes on farms. A USDA home loan, also known as the USDA Rural Development Guaranteed Housing Loan Program, is a mortgage loan offered to those purchasing a rural...
read moreWhen Should You Consider Getting Your Indiana Mortgage Refinanced?
Sooner or later, many Indiana property owners will undergo the process of refinancing their home; or at least consider whether or not they should get their Indiana mortgage refinanced. They do this for a variety of reasons. Before approaching a lender about a home refinance loan,it is vital that the property owner determines if it is the right decision to refinance their house. A refinance can give help to troubled property owners (particularly individuals who took out ARMs a few years ago), but it is not the solution for...
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