George L. Duarte

Mortgage Loans Fremont California Horizon Financial Associates

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The Top Tech Upgrades For Your Home During A Home Improvement Project

August 2, 2022 by George Duarte

The Top Tech Upgrades For Your Home During A Home Improvement Project

If you want to increase the value of your home, you might be thinking about conducting a renovation project. You can significantly increase the value and appeal of your home if you add some advanced technology. What are a few of the top tech upgrades you should consider adding to your home? Take a look at some of the top options below, and consider reaching out to a professional who can help you.

A Smart Thermostat

There are a lot of people who are concerned about cost-of-living increases. If you are looking for a way to save money, reduce your utility expenses. One of the ways to do so is to use a smart thermostat. You can use a smart thermostat to exert greater control over when your HVAC unit is on and when it is not. Your thermostat can even tell your HVAC unit to stop running when you are not home, which can help you save a lot of money on your utility expenses.

A Smart Refrigerator

If you want to take your kitchen to an entirely new level, you might be interested in a smart refrigerator. A smart refrigerator can help you generate meal schedules, look up new recipes for you, and even make a grocery list for you. Of course, you will probably fall in love with the automatic water dispenser as well. Consider upgrading your kitchen with a smart refrigerator.

A Home Elevator

You might even want to install a home elevator. There are plenty of companies that will help you find an affordable home elevator you can add to your house. There are plenty of financing options available as well. This is a particularly helpful option if you have someone in your home with mobility issues. That way, they don’t need to worry about the hazards of navigating the staircase, particularly at night.

Find The Best Tech Upgrades For Your Home

These are a few of the top examples of upgrades you may want to add to your home. There are plenty of amazing tech upgrades you should explore, and many of them can help you increase the value of your house. Consider working with a professional who can assist you. 

Filed Under: Mortgage Tagged With: Mortgage Tips, Smart Fridge, Upgrading Your Home

First Time Home-buyers: How to Properly Research Your Mortgage Options

July 7, 2022 by George Duarte

First Time Home-buyers: How to Properly Research Your Mortgage OptionsFor most consumers, buying a house is the largest purchase you’ll make in your life. That’s why it’s important to ensure that you have the best mortgage terms available. With so much at stake, it’s important to have full confidence in both your lender and your mortgage.

So how can you ensure that the mortgage you choose is the right one for you? Here’s how you can evaluate your mortgage options and find the best option for your individual circumstances.

Make Sure You Actually Do Shop Around

According to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau, half of borrowers consider just one lender before applying for a mortgage, while 70% of borrowers only apply to one lender. While a broker or your bank can be a good source of information about mortgages and may offer great rates, that’s not always the case. The best way to get a great deal on a mortgage is to shop around and see what’s available.

Look For Information From Reputable, Independent Sources

When you’re looking at mortgage terms and evaluating lenders, it’s important that you remain skeptical. Lenders always have an agenda – to earn money on your debt. While lenders can indeed offer you expert information on the mortgage industry, they’re not exactly objective – so make sure that when you consider their offers, you refer to independent experts when deciding if you’re getting a good deal.

Compare Loan Terms, Not Bonus Incentives

Quite often, banks will offer their clients extra mortgage incentives available only to clients. These incentives can include things like free savings bonds or a free credit card limit increase. But just because you’re getting a freebie, that doesn’t necessarily make the mortgage a good deal.

It’s important to consider both the value of the incentive and the cost difference between mortgages. If your bank’s mortgage would cost you an extra $5,000 over the life of the loan compared to a third party mortgage, then your bank would need to give you $5,000 worth of free services in order to make your bank’s loan worth your money. Don’t be fooled by flashy freebies – look at the actual terms.

Finding the right mortgage can be a struggle, especially if you’re trying to do it on your own. That’s why it helps to consult an independent mortgage professional who can advise you on industry standards and help you to get the best terms. For more information or to schedule a consultation, contact your local mortgage advisor today.

Filed Under: Home Mortgage Tips Tagged With: Home Mortgage Tips, Mortgage Tips, Researching Mortgages

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George L. Duarte

MBA, CMC, CMHS
Call 510.377.9059
Fremont, CA

California DRE Corp Lic no. 01032295
DRE Personal Brokers Lic. No. 00943635
NMLS Corporate Lic. No. 302358
Personal Lic. No. 302219

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