What Are the Closing Costs for a Home Seller?
As a first-time home seller, you know how much you owe on the mortgage, and you’ve got a good idea of your home’s market value. But then come all of…
Hal M. Bundrick, CFP
Hal M. Bundrick is a personal finance writer for NerdWallet. He is a certified financial planner and former financial consultant and senior investment specialist for Wall Street firms. Hal advised families, business owners, nonprofits, and trusts, as well as managed group employee retirement plans in the South and Midwest. Since hanging up (burning) his suits and ties, Hal now works to make money matters understandable and jargon-free. He enjoys aimless travel and – since he lives in the South – air conditioning.
Posts by Hal M. Bundrick, CFP:
What Is a Mortgage Origination Fee?
A mortgage origination fee is any fee that adds to the profit a lender can make on a loan. Mortgage lenders are going to charge fees one way or another;…
What Is Mortgage Insurance? How It Works, When It’s Required
The traditional target for a home down payment is 20% of the purchase price, but that’s out of reach for many buyers. Mortgage insurance makes it possible to hand over a much…
Quicken Loans RateShield: Lock or Lower a Mortgage Rate
One of the (many) thorny decisions you’ll face when buying a home is when to lock your mortgage rate. What if you lock it in now and rates go down?…
First Rocket Mortgage, Now There’s Rocket Homes
Rocket Mortgage changed the home loan industry. Suddenly, home buyers could apply for a mortgage from their phone. Technology was rapidly transforming one of the last major paper-shuffling businesses remaining on the…
What’s a Property Tax Assessment?
The cost of homeownership includes property taxes. A few states and most local jurisdictions assess a tax based on the value of private property. It’s no small-ticket item: Property taxes…
HomeReady and Home Possible: Loans With 3% Down for 2019
For years, the Federal Housing Administration was the king of the low-down-payment mortgage mountain. Now, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the government-sponsored enterprises that provide capital to the mortgage market, are…
Buying a House in 2019: What You Need to Know
Buying a house is a minefield full of “I didn’t know thats.” From choosing the right home to qualifying for the best mortgage, you want to minimize the things you…
How Replacement Window Costs Add Up
Home window replacement costs could use a little transparency. Budget estimates can be wide-ranging, and the case for energy-efficient windows may not be open and shut. The national average window…
Tile Installation Costs: How to Know What You’ll Pay
Tile, typically a bathroom and kitchen flooring essential, has been used in more home-design applications in recent years. Today’s hardwood-simulating planks, subway and marble-look tiles, as well as other new…
