MichelePetry

Title insurance, a one-time premium at closing, protects property buyers and lenders from financial loss due to past title defects like liens, forgery, or unknown heirs. Unlike other insurance, it covers historical risks, ensuring clear ownership. While an additional cost, its value becomes evident when considering potential expenses from uncovered claims, which can be substantial […]

Lenders use Automated Valuation Models (AVMs) during the mortgage process to quickly estimate property value, helping determine pre-approval amounts and loan limits through Loan-to-Value (LTV) calculations. how lenders use AVMs during the mortgage process AVMs offer speed and cost efficiency but may lack accuracy for unique properties, impacting your mortgage eligibility. Understanding how AVMs influence

Scaling your rental portfolio with a blanket mortgage simplifies financing by consolidating multiple properties under one loan, ideal for investors buying or refinancing several units. This approach reduces closing costs and streamlines management with a single payment. A crucial “partial release clause” allows selling individual properties without refinancing the entire portfolio, making it a strategic

The Closing Disclosure outlines final loan terms and costs, serving as your last chance to review everything before signing. Understanding this document is critical, especially in the key steps between Clear to Close and closing day—when you verify loan details, confirm cash to close, and catch last-minute changes. Reviewing it carefully ensures you’re not surprised

An alienation clause in a mortgage allows lenders to demand full loan repayment if property ownership transfers without their consent. Understanding its implications is vital, as when an alienation clause is triggered during property transfer, the entire mortgage becomes immediately due, potentially causing significant financial stress. Effective strategies to avoid triggering it include seeking lender

Amortization defines how each monthly mortgage payment is split between interest and principal over time. Understanding what amortization means for your monthly mortgage breakdown helps you see how equity builds, why your loan balance shrinks slowly at first, and how small prepayments or refinancing can save thousands. Unlike interest-only loans, amortized loans reduce your balance

what happens if you walk away from your mortgage (strategic default), you voluntarily stop payments on an underwater home, leading to foreclosure. This action severely damages your credit score for years, potentially resulting in deficiency judgments in recourse states where lenders can sue for the remaining debt, and may incur tax liability on any forgiven

Home improvements can boost your home’s appraised value—what it’s worth on the market—while also increasing the appraised value vs assessed value your property taxes. Upgrades like kitchen remodels or additions may raise both values, affecting resale potential and annual tax costs. Understanding appraised value vs. assessed value helps homeowners make informed renovation decisions and avoid

The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) on a mortgage helps compare loan costs, but APR does not include all potential costs of homeownership. Hidden fees such as appraisal fees, property inspection fees, and various insurance premiums (homeowners, title) significantly add to upfront and ongoing expenses. Understanding these extra costs—ranging from hundreds to thousands of dollars—is crucial