Articles: Mortgages

Making Sense of Mortgages Closing costs, PMI, ARM, escrow…figuring out what makes up your mortgage can be complicated. With so many factors to consider, how do you make sense of it all? Well, you can start by breaking down some of the most common terms and considerations you'll…

Yes, You Should Probably Get a Home Inspection Look at that – I answered your Google search right up front. And I mean it: a home inspection is a valuable part of the home buying process, even if it's not always a requirement to get a mortgage. Here's why. If these walls could…

When it comes to mortgages and your credit, there are a few main considerations. How Does My Credit Score Affect My Mortgage? It's no surprise that your credit score matters when buying a home and applying for a mortgage. The rule of thumb is if you have a higher credit score,…

You want to buy a house. Great! But there's a lot to buying a new home. It's a big change that affects your life in several ways. That said, you want to make buying your new home the best experience possible now and in the long run...

One of the common questions people have regarding mortgages is whether a 15-year or 30-year mortgage is better? Like many financial decisions, the right answer depends on your personal financial circumstances, objectives, and concerns...

You may have heard the word "escrow" thrown around, but what does it actually mean? Think of it like a budgeting tool built right into your mortgage payment. Like any loan, you'll see part of your monthly payment go to the principal and interest, but owning a home means that you…

First-time buyer? Excellent idea! Homeownership is an excellent long-term investment. Once you've decided that it's time to take the leap to homeownership, there are a few things to keep in mind. Review your existing debt load. What are your current monthly payments? Student loa…

Struggling to pay your mortgage? Help is available. If you are experiencing difficulty making your mortgage payments then we may be able to help you. There are many resources now available and all you have to do is ask. Please call our Member Solutions team at 800.242.2120 ext. 10270 to discuss your…

Once people decide they'd like to buy a home, they want to know what interest rate they can expect from a mortgage. After all, buying a home is an important decision and the interest rate is a big factor that determines what the payments will be...

(The Seventh is Through the Front Door) Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or seasoned homeowner, purchasing a new place to live can be an exciting time. It can also be a little stressful. The friendly experts at Visions can help take some of the pain out of the hom…

People who own homes sometimes need money for those things that life throws your way. The good news is that homeowners can tap into the equity of their home to get the money they need. There are two main ways to do this - home equity loans and home equity lines of credit, or HEL…

Generally speaking, when it comes to using the equity built up in their house, people understand that it's an option to tap into that equity to get cash they need. However, before going forward with a home equity loan it's good to understand how it works. So, let's take a look…