Listen to Episode 2: https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/512d68ce-1bfc-4e00-ba99-397816dba6c6/02-15-24-On-The-House-Podcast-S1-E2-v001.mp3 In this episode of ‘On the House,’ we explore the top questions about the process of homeownership and practical steps to help get you there! Watch Episode 2 on YouTube: Everything You Need To Know Before Buying a Home This Year | On The House Podcast   Host: Jason Haeger – Host of On The House Podcast Guest: Dianne Glenn – Branch Manager NMLS #295232 Get More Insights into Mortgages and Homeownership Subscribe on your favorite podcast platform. Want ..read more

https://podcasts.captivate.fm/media/fbead379-1aa8-4d66-8c29-5702130524f0/01-16-24-On-The-House-Podcast-Season-1-Ep-1-with-Disclaimer.mp3 In this episode of ‘On the House,’ we explore the impact of high-interest rates and challenges faced in 2023, emphasizing the importance of careful consideration before making housing decisions. Additionally, we delve into predictions for 2024, including forecasts for home sales, mortgage rates, and property values from industry experts. Want to see if homeownership is right for you? Reach out to your local Benchmark branch to learn more. https://benchmark.us ..read more

Benchmark could just be another mortgage lender, but we’re not. Sure, every company has their ‘core values’, but there is something tangible and special about ours. Our core values didn’t exist until after they were identified in the soul of the company years after it was established. These values not only inform how we do things, they defined what was already at work. They support an existing culture, rather than being the rules for mandating it. First and foremost, Benchmark is about relationships. We recognize, and experience, the reality that it is people just like you who make what we d ..read more

 A Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) is an easy way to borrow money using your home’s value as collateral. Let’s look into how a HELOC works and whether this option is right for you. A home equity line of credit (HELOC) works much like a credit card. With money drawn from a HELOC, you can pay for things like home remodeling/repair fees, credit card debts, or even save it for rainy day funds. A HELOC’s interest rates can be significantly lower than a credit cards How Much Can You Borrow with a HELOC? The first step in deciding if a HELOC is right for you is knowing whether you have ..read more

The resurgence of everything pumpkin spice means that fall is upon us once again. You are probably as excited to pull out that box of fall décor as we are. If you live in a building (a house, duplex, apartment, condo, etc..) then there are some other important tasks that should be added to your to-do list to make sure your home is well prepared for the change of season. Have your furnace inspected Don’t get left in the cold. Fall brings cooler temperatures, shorter days, and earlier sunsets. Ensure that your home stays nice and cozy by having your furnace inspected. Contact your preferred lo ..read more

With mortgage interest rates at a level not seen for over a decade (see chart below), the question of whether to wait for interest rates to fall is creeping in. This is not unreasonable, however, it does beg the question. Are rates actually high? If you take a look at the chart below, you can get a pretty good idea. At first glance, you may be tempted to think, “With rates THIS high, they’re bound to come back down before too long.” You may think this looks like an economic blip; that things will calm down back to normal soon. 10 Year chart of mortgage interest rates source: tradingeconomic ..read more

Searching for a home? That’s great! It’s a good time to buy! We know that it can be stressful, as interest rates could go up during your search. What if it didn’t have to be that way? What if you could be certain that your interest rate wouldn’t change while you searched for your next home? With Benchmark’s Lock and Shop program, you don’t have to worry about rising interest rates. Lock and Shop by Benchmark allows you to lock in your interest rate while shopping for your home! Get More Time To Shop 75 days. The Lock and Shop program will lock your rate for 75 days, giving you more time to se ..read more

Has your home been on the market long? Do you feel like selling your home is an insurmountable task? Selling your home can feel hopeless the longer your property sits awaiting a buyer. As sellers struggle to attract buyers, they are confronted with ideas like price slashes or full remodels to sell to their homes. These ideas would inevitably cost thousands, reducing the gain from the listing price, and leave a seller wondering if there is a better way. Perhaps what you’ve been waiting for is a 2-1 Buydown. It’s Hard to Sell in the Current Market Since the beginning of 2022, sellers may have n ..read more

If your mortgage application has been denied, you don’t have to give up on your home ownership dreams. There are steps you can take to improve your ability to get approved for a loan. First, it is crucial to get in contact with your lender. There are a multitude of reasons as to why an application can be denied. Learning why your application was denied will give you the chance to resolve any issues. Let’s go over some common reasons an application may be denied. Credit Score There is a minimum credit score that borrowers will need to meet in order to receive a home loan. If your credit score ..read more

Better late now than never later. It’s the question that’s buzzing around real estate offices, mortgage companies, backyard barbecues, water coolers and passing conversations with neighbors. The short answer is — we think so. Yes, it is still a good time to buy. The long answer is more complicated. Consider these four trends to help you as you make your housing buying decisions. Higher home prices show no signs of reversing course. Even before the pandemic, the supply of the housing market couldn’t meet the demand. In 2020, COVID-19 affected the housing market just like it did every other ind ..read more