What is a Seller-Paid Buydown?
Mortgage ProgramsA seller-paid buydown allows the seller of a home to reduce the buyer’s monthly mortgage payment for an initial period, typically one or two years. To increase their chance of selling their home, sellers will offer this as an incentive to…
BankSouth Mortgage Launches New Website
Company NewsAs part of its ongoing effort to provide mortgage excellence, BankSouth Mortgage, along with its parent company, BankSouth, is proud to announce the launch of its new mortgage website. The strategic decision to launch www.banksouthmortgage.com…
How Co-Signing Can Help You Become a Homeowner
General, Loan Assistance, TipsWe’ve all heard of the term co-signer, but what does it mean, and how can it serve you in purchasing a home? For the right situation, a co-signer can aid in securing a home loan for a purchaser so that he/she can move forward from renting…
“Paying Points” to Buy Down Interest Rates
Rates, TipsIn this interest rate climate, it’s nice to have options for reducing what may otherwise be considered a high-interest rate. This is where “paying points” to buy down interest rates could be beneficial! It’s a great alternative for today’s…
The Best Money Saving Tips to Help Grow Your Savings
TipsSaving money can seem like a daunting task, especially if you’re living paycheck to paycheck. But don’t worry – with a little bit of effort and discipline, you can learn how to save money each month. Here are seven simple money-saving…
The Basics of Selling Your Home
General, Loan Assistance, Mortgage Process, TipsLike buying a new home, selling your home can be an emotional and complex process. You can use a real estate agent to help or you can try to sell it yourself which is called an FSBO -- For Sale By Owner -- transaction.
An FSBO transaction…
Increasing Your Home’s Value
Homeowner Benefits, TipsFor many of us, our home is our largest asset. Maintaining and improving your home can increase its value and build your home equity. In addition to increasing your personal net worth and giving you the means to trade-up, you can borrow from…
How to Find Your New Home
General, Loan Assistance, Mortgage Process, Mortgage Programs, TipsThere are two main ways to search for your new home. First, you can calculate how much you can afford, then shop for homes in that price range. Your income, size of down payment, and any equity you have in your current home are the major…
Know Your Mortgage Loan Options
Mortgage Programs, Mortgage Types, Rates, TipsMajor types of mortgage loans include:
Fixed-rate loans. Because they offer a monthly payment that is known and does not change, fixed-rate mortgage loans remain the most popular type. Most fixed-rate mortgages are for loan terms of 15…
Understand the Variety of Mortgage Lenders & Brokers
General, Homeowner Benefits, TipsThere are hundreds of mortgage lenders on the Web that will prequalify and pre-approve you for a mortgage loan. Major categories of mortgage lenders include:
Savings & loans. Also called thrift institutions, savings and loan associations…
A Digital Mortgage Done Right: Balancing Fast, Easy and Smart
General, SecurityThe best mortgage experience features equal amounts of digital convenience and personal service that ultimately put you – the homebuyer – at the center of everything.
There are many trade-offs to make when buying a home. Settling for…
Avoiding & Reporting Scams
Security, TipsProtect your finances and personal information by staying alert against fraud
How to avoid scams
Recognizing common signs of scams can help you avoid being the next victim of financial fraud. Here are some things to remember about scams and…