Homes for Heroes Blog - Hero Stories, Savings, Tips and Partnerships

Is It Possible to Buy a House with Bad Credit?

January 12, 2021 / in Finance and Credit / by Maggie Sutton

Many first-time home buyers think that the hardest part of purchasing a home is finding the right place to live. But anyone who’s gone through the lending process can tell you otherwise.

Getting approved for a home loan is a confusing process under the best conditions. But getting approval with a low credit score can feel next to impossible. If you’ve been thinking about buying a house but have less than stellar credit, there’s no reason to give up hope. There are still ways to get a home loan with bad credit. In fact, you may already qualify! Here’s everything you need to know about buying a house with bad credit. Read More “Is It Possible to Buy a House with Bad Credit?”

House Renovation Projects To Do ASAP

January 8, 2021 / in Helpful Tips / by Maggie Sutton

Buying a new house is so exciting because it offers the chance to truly change the way you live. It also presents new challenges and opportunities. Some buyers want to make home renovations or improvements right away. Others just want to make any necessary fixes and start enjoying their new home. Whether you’re buying a fixer-upper or something more turnkey, here are the top house renovations you need to complete ASAP.

2021 Housing Market: What Buyers Need to Know

December 30, 2020 / in Buying a House / by Maggie Sutton

If you held off on buying a home in 2020, no one can blame you. It was a year marked by volatility, with the COVID-19 pandemic creating economic uncertainty across industries, causing many to worry about their own financial future. Meanwhile, many housing markets remained red hot with high prices and homes selling in only one or two days. For many, it all just felt too chaotic to move during this time. But with the arrival of vaccines and the end of the pandemic hopefully coming closer, many buyers are turning their attention to the new year. Here’s a look at the 2021 housing market and what prospective buyers need to know about home buying in 2021.

Refinancing Costs Savings with Homes for Heroes

December 29, 2020December 30, 2020 / in Mortgage and Refinance / by Maggie Sutton

Refinancing your mortgage is supposed to save you money or free up some cash so you can pay for home improvement projects or other needs. But refinancing can also be expensive. That’s because refinance closing costs add up in a hurry, potentially costing you thousands of dollars. In fact, the average cost to refinance a mortgage is $4,345. Thankfully, there are ways to avoid some of these costs and keep more money in your pocket. Here’s a look at some common refinancing costs and what you can do to save money.

Staging a Home: How to Choose the Right Home Stager

December 28, 2020 / in Helpful Tips / by Maggie Sutton

Staging a home is one of the best ways to increase the selling price of your home without making significant improvements or repairs prior to sale. But it is an investment, so you want to make sure you’re getting your money’s worth. That means choosing a staging company that has the right services and products to match your home and your budget. Here’s how to find the right home stager and how to use a home staging checklist to maximize the value of your home.

Refinance Closing: Checklist and What to Expect

December 28, 2020December 28, 2020 / in Mortgage and Refinance / by Maggie Sutton

Even at its best, refinancing your home can still be a long, difficult process. So, when it finally comes time to close on your new mortgage, it’s almost always a huge relief. But the work isn’t quite done yet. There are a number of steps you’ll need to take to ensure a successful refinance closing. Here’s what to expect from the refinance closing process as well as a checklist to keep everything in order.

4 Types of Home Mortgage Refinancing Options

December 28, 2020 / in Mortgage and Refinance / by Maggie Sutton

There are lots of reasons to refinance your home — save money on interest, lower your monthly mortgage payment, or get cash for home improvements, just to name a few. But there are equally as many different types of refinancing options. With so many stipulations and conditions that vary, it can be hard to know which is right for you. Here’s a closer look at the four most common types of refinance options and what they could mean for you.

Heroes in 2020: The Best Hero Moments of the Year

December 23, 2020December 23, 2020 / in Firefighters / by Maggie Sutton

This year has been hard on everyone. But when things get tough, the bravery and indomitable spirit of our heroes shine through even brighter. As we end the year, we look back at the accomplishments of our heroes in 2020.

Is Refinancing Your Mortgage Worth It?

December 21, 2020 / in Mortgage and Refinance / by Maggie Sutton

Most people who choose to refinance their house don’t do it because they love filling out financial paperwork. They do it to save money. The hope is that by getting a better interest rate, home owners can lower their monthly payments and come out ahead. But that isn’t always the case, and sometimes the timing just isn’t right to refinance, even with historically low rates. Here are the top five reasons why it might not be worth it to refinance your mortgage right now, plus other refinancing problems you should avoid.

Low Mortgage Interest Rates Call for Refinancing

December 15, 2020December 30, 2020 / in Mortgage and Refinance / by Maggie Sutton

In 2020, mortgage interest rates dropped to an all-time low and went under three percent for the first time ever. In fact, the mortgage interest rate dropped 14 times in 2020. This was in response to the global coronavirus pandemic, after rates had been declining for years prior. The Federal Reserve, who is responsible for influencing interest rates, has said that rates will remain low, potentially for several years. With these historic low rates, now is an excellent time to consider buying or refinancing your home.