PMI: Avoid it or embrace it?

If you’ve used an online mortgage calculator, you’ve likely considered how to factor in or avoid PMI. What is PMI?  Private mortgage insurance (PMI) protects the lender in case a borrower defaults on their loan payments. As a home buyer, you might be required to purchase PMI if your down payment is less than 20% […] Read More

Home Appraisal: What If It Comes in Low?

Most sellers want as much as they can get for their property, but that doesn’t come without risks. Unless a buyer is purchasing entirely in cash, a seller should evaluate an offer price for its ability to match or exceed a potential appraised value. In a seller’s market, competing buyers’ offer prices are likely to […] Read More