Ep 19: Services for First-Time Homebuyer
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Release Date: 08/18/2022
Should You Use a Home Equity Line of Credit to Cover a Big Expense?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
When it comes to financing major expenses, homeowners often find themselves at a crossroads. Should you pull from savings, take out a loan, or perhaps, consider a home equity line of credit (HELOC)? Today, we're tackling that question: is tapping into your home equity through a line of credit a savvy move for major expenses? Join us as we sit down with Bill, a regional president at Cross Country Mortgage, to dissect the ins and outs of home equity lines of credit (HELOCs), their benefits, pitfalls, and how they compare to other loan types. Whether you're eyeing a home renovation or facing an...
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Is Downsizing in Retirement a Smart Move?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
As people approach retirement, one of the big decisions that couples will discuss is whether to downsize and move into a smaller home. Is it a financially savvy move? Does it simplify life? Or does it merely trade one set of complications for another? In this episode, Bill will share his experience from the mortgage lending side and help identify some of the factors that go into making a decision on where to live. From financial considerations to the emotional aspects of leaving a family home, they cover the full spectrum of what downsizing entails. Whether you're flush with cash or on a fixed...
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With rates up, should you pay off your house quickly?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Now that interest rates are up in the seven percent range and people are paying a higher rate for their mortgage, should you still be thinking about paying your mortgage as quickly as possible or continue making your scheduled payments over time? In this video, we’ll share our perspective as a mortgage lender and a company that works with people to help them reach their financial goals. Join us as we dissect the complexities of mortgage management in an era of fluctuating interest rates. We’ll explore the value of paying off your mortgage sooner versus investing in the market, the role of...
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What Changes are Coming from the National Association of Realtors Lawsuit?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
The real estate market is on the verge of a major shift, and it's not just the fluctuating interest rates or the ebb and flow of the housing inventory. A lawsuit against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) is making waves, and the ripple effect could alter the landscape for buyers, sellers, and agents alike. While there’s no final decision from the Department of Justice, real estate professionals are anticipating certain changes potentially coming this summer. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:13 – What we’re anticipating 3:21 – Agent fees...
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How Can I Make My Home Offer Stand Out?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Finding a home that checks all the boxes is an awesome feeling, but you can’t celebrate until you’ve had your offer accepted. In a market where competition can get pretty heated, the difference in winning and losing is usually a slim margin so putting together the best possible offer is critical. It starts with having an experienced team on your side that know what little things work to strengthen an offer. In this video, Bill Litton of Cross Country Mortgage will share a few of the strategies his team considers when helping borrowers secure their homes. These steps can go a long way...
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The Three Pillars of Mortgage Approval
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
What will a mortgage lender look for when determining whether you will be approved for a loan? The approval process involves three key pillars, which every buyer will need to be prepared for and we’ll break that all down in this episode. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:57 – Credit 5:19 – Income 6:58 – Assets CONTACT: Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and mortgage info: Call: 484-352-4151.
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Should you buy or rent? Here’s what the math says
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
The debate over whether it’s better to buy or rent isn’t a new one, but it’s picked up in recent years as interest rates have risen and property values have soared. Which is the better option financially? The answer might lie in a number of considerations, but the math makes a very compelling argument in one direction. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:53 – Home values 3:46 – Building wealth through ownership 6:59 – Buying vs renting 11:07 – Cost of waiting CONTACT: Schedule a time to meet with Bill here: Visit the Smart Mortgage...
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Are we still in a seller’s market?
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
As we head into spring, history tells us that inventory will start to pick up again. But are we still in a seller’s market? Today is our market update for April and we’re focused in on interest rates, home prices, and inventory. We’ll share some data that shows the latest trends in values across the country and give you another visual to capture the increase in inventory that we typically see following slower months in the winter. And we also have another chart that will show you how mortgage rates typically move with inflation, which could signify the potential for some good news in the...
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Rolling Renovation Costs Into Your Mortgage
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
With less inventory on the market right now, many people are having to make a few concessions on what they’re looking for and deciding to make a few renovations instead. So whether you want to add a patio, put in a pool, or remodel a kitchen, can you roll those renovation costs into your mortgage loan? Today, Bill Litton from Cross Country Mortgage will answer that question and tell you what you need to know if you’re considering making changes to your new home. It’s always best to understand your options and know which questions to ask your mortgage lender when you start looking. ...
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Homebuying and Divorce
Smart Mortgage Show with Bill Litton
Going through a divorce is hard and having to sort out the home and the future only adds to the stress and uncertainty. If you keep the home, what happens to the mortgage and what changes? If you are the one needing a new place to live, how difficult is it to buy a new home and should you wait until the divorce is finalized? Bill Litton, Regional President at Cross Country Mortgage, has a divorce mortgage specialist designation and understands the needs people have when going through this emotional process. Here’s some of what we discuss in this episode: 0:00 – Intro 1:35 –...
info_outlineOn this episode, Bill Litton will take you through the different services his team at CrossCountry Mortgage offer first-time homebuyers. About a third of the people we work with are doing this for the first time so we have a great idea of the needs you’ll be facing.
Listen to this week’s show to learn more about:
- How we help educate homebuyers through every step of the process. (2:04)
- Our relationships with people in the community and how that local knowledge benefits someone during the mortgage process. (6:15)
- The specific tools that we provide someone to make the mortgage process easier and how we service them after closing. (8:03)
- The different loan products that we offer and how we determine what fits you best. (10:34)
CONTACT:
Schedule a time to meet with Bill here.
Visit the Smart Mortgage Show website for more podcasts, videos and info.
Call: 484-352-4151.
Visit CrossCountry Mortgage on the web.