Rebecca Cole

There is a lot of information available to consumers today about mortgage interest rates. Some sources are more credible than others. Playing the market with locking into a rate is like gambling; you win some and you lose some. Making a decision to float your mortgage rate based on an Internet article or a news report may turn out to be a costly mistake.

Certain market data will indicate which way rates may move over a short period of time however there are no guarantees in volatile times. Rates are quick to adjust upward and sometimes the increase can be significant.

The bottom line: if you are considering locking into a competitive rate don't wait. Holding out for an eighth of a percent better is not worth the risk of losing the rate you could secure today. Rates are at historic lows. Take advantage of them today and feel about your decision.

For more information about mortgage rates and market conditions contact Rebecca Cole.

I found out recently that the least expensive company is not always the best choice when it comes to moving. There are plenty of companies out there ready and willing to relocate your precious goods to your new home, and many are offering incredible savings this time of year. When pricing out your move and comparing costs, take a minute to do some research on a company before paying a deposit.

The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start when researching any company. Movingscam.com is another resource for researching moving companies. You can look up a company alphabetically by state and also view a super list which contains positive as well as negative feedback on moving companies across the county. Movingscam.com also has tips on how to find a reputable moving company.

When you walk away from the settlement table with keys in hand to your new home, the last thing you need to worry about is your impending move. A little research before selecting a moving company can payoff in the end.

If you are looking to purchase a home or refinance, contact Rebecca Cole. Committed to excellence!

When someone applies for a mortgage loan to purchase a home or refinance an existing mortgage, the lender is obligated to provide a document to the applicant called a Good Faith Estimate. A GFE essentially outlines the fees associated with obtaining the proposed mortgage loan and breaks down the projected total monthly payment.

A Good Faith Estimate is broken down into several parts that include lender fees, title charges, government and transfer charges, pre-paid items, reserves required by the lender, and additional settlement charges associated with the mortgage transaction. While the fees on the GFE cannot be exact, the lender portion should be accurate for the proposed loan.

Once you have initiated an application with a lender to purchase a home or refinance, ask to sit down in person with that lender to go over your Good Faith Estimate. Ask questions about fees on the estimate that you do not understand and shop another lender if something does not add up.

If you are looking to purchase a home or refinance contact Rebecca Cole. Committed to excellence!

With mortgage rates plummeting to all time lows, mortgage lender have been inundated with applications from homeowner looking to take advantage of the market and refinance into a money saving rate. Some banks and lender have become so backlogged by the refinance rush that they are passing on higher rates and processing fees to customer in attempts to accommodate longer lock periods to process applications.

If you are working with a loan officer who advises you to lock into a 60 or 90 day refinance loan that carries a higher rate, or tells you to pay points to compensate for a longer lock time- seek out another lender.

There are plenty of banks who process in-house and are staffed to accommodate the influx of mortgage applicants. Work with a loan officer who is available and willing to meet with you for a face to face application to explain all of your options. If you are being led down a path of paying a higher rate or fees because the company you are working with cannot process your loan efficiently, call another lender.

If you are looking to purchase a home or refinance, contact Rebecca Cole. Committed to excellence!

I think the snowfall this afternoon is a little more accumulation than what was expected from the weather forecast earlier this morning. I went ahead and picked my daughter up from school today and we are settled in for a late snow day. After her nap we are headed out for a sleigh ride followed by hot chocolate (hot tea for me).

The roads are slick in places and there were people piled up on the side of the road leading into Mays Chapel. Drive with care and stay warm. There is a Winter Weather Advisory in effect for Baltimore County until 10 PM EST.

Have a safe and wonderful Martin Luther King Jr. holiday. Banks are closed today in observance.

If you are looking to purchase a home or refinance, contact Rebecca Anne Cole. Committed to excellence!