Follow These 7 Tips to Keep Your Vacant Listing Safe

Following these tips will deter burglars, keep your home in good shape, and prevent any potential issues from evolving into something more severe.

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When putting a vacant property on the market, there are certain additional considerations the seller must keep in mind during the listing process. Today we’ll cover seven such considerations, focusing specifically on home security: 

1. Have a security system in place. If you’re unable to keep an eye on your property, yourself, having a doorbell camera doing the job for you can be a good idea. 

2. Have a friend or neighbor drop in from time to time. Doing so will lower your risk of 
break-ins. 

3. Check the mail (or have someone do it for you)

To make sure the building is insured, you can ask for a copy of its insurance certificate.

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4. Turn off your newspaper delivery 

5. Make sure the landscaping is maintained. 

6.  Keep all of the blinds closed. 

7. Check on the property after storms.  

Following these tips will deter burglars, keep your home in good shape, and prevent any potential issues from evolving into something more severe. If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give us a call or send us an email. We look forward to hearing from you soon.

Why an Annual Checkup Is Important to Any Mortgage

Today we're to talk about annual mortgage checkups.

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Today's topic is annual mortgage checkups.

Something David suggests to all of his clients is to review your mortgage once per year. Usually the best time to do this is toward the end of the year when things begin to slow down.

Pull your statement out and find out if you need to re-evaluate or update your homeowners insurance. Most people simply pay their mortgage without paying attention to their statements, but it’s actually very important to check for these kinds of necessary updates.

As your situation changes, so should your mortgage.

Also, determine if your escrows are in line. You also will want to contact your county assessor to check on your deductions or exemptions, since these can often change.

Another important thing to look at is your mortgage rate. Doing so could potentially save you money. However, this year, rates are unfortunately expected to increase in December. So if you’re thinking of making a purchase, now may be a good time to do so.

Additionally, you should find out whether you need to restructure your mortgage. As your situation changes, so should your mortgage.

If you have any other questions or would like more information, feel free to give me a call or send me an email. I look forward to hearing from you soon.

4 Components of Your Mortgage and How to Reduce Them

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Today I’m joined by David Bowen from imortgage to discuss PITI and how to reduce it.

PITI stands for the four components of your mortgage payment: ‘P’ stands for principal, ‘I’ stands for interest rates, ‘T’ stands for property taxes, and the last ‘I” stands for homeowner’s insurance.

Though your principal and property taxes are two components you don’t have much control over, you can keep in contact with your assessor’s office to make sure that you are receiving all of the tax exemptions available to you. You may even be able to get your property taxes reduced based on factors like your income and whether you’re a senior citizen or veteran.

As far as homeowner’s insurance, you can always contact your agent to find out what you can do to get your rate reduced. David says that he contacts his agent every year to review his policy. Changing companies from time to time can reduce your insurance payment as well.

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One extra payment per year can cut eight years off of a 30-year loan.

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Some other ways to reduce your PITI are to pay extra money down on your principal balance, which can speed up your timeframe. If you make one extra payment a year, you’ll probably cut eight years off of a 30-year mortgage. If you are able to bring your balance down, it may even be possible to refinance your 30-year mortgage into a 15-year mortgage.

If you pay your principal in cash, you can avoid the first two components of PITI, but property taxes and insurance are required and can’t be avoided.

If you have any questions regarding PITI, feel free to contact David Bowen at dave.bowen@imortgage.com or (708) 705-7911, or myself by phone or email. I look forward to speaking with you.