The COVID-19 pandemic is putting a lot of Americans under serious financial strain—and in an effort to relieve some of that strain, homeowners across the country are looking for mortgage relief. And for those homeowners, there are a few different options available—namely mortgage forbearance and mortgage deferment.

But what, exactly, is the difference?

A recent article from realtor.com outlined the key differences between mortgage forbearance and mortgage deferment. According to the article, while both strategies allow homeowners to suspend mortgage payments for a period of time, the main difference is what happens at the end of that suspension period.

With mortgage forbearance, any payments that were missed are due in a lump sum at the end of the forbearance period. With mortgage deferment, lenders allow borrowers to either pay back the owed money over time or add the missed payments to the end of their loan.

If you’re concerned about your abi. ...

Are you looking for tips and things to consider before buying a property that you intend to list as a short term vacation rental? You’re in the right place.
Investing in property can be the best thing you’ve ever done if you take the time to learn how to do it properly. If you’re thinking of entering this lucrative market, we’ve put together a series of things to think about to help you get started on the right foot.
Learn the rules of the game first
There is money to be made in the STVRmarket but there is also money to be lost if you’re not careful. On top of learning the rules of real estate investing, you have to put extra effort into learning more about the STVR real estate market.
There are many factors to consider when purchasing a home to be used as a short-term vacation rental “STVR”. Recently Chatham County has incorporated certain restrictions when applying for STVR in our area, as well as certain private HOA covenants. It’. ...

The excitement all started a couple of months ago when you made the decision to buy a house. You were pre-approved with a lender then on your way to meet with your realtor for a buyer consult to find the perfect new home! You saw a few houses you liked, but after weeks of searching you just couldn’t find “the right one.” So now you’ve given up hope, figured it just isn’t meant to be, and you’ve decided to wait a little longer before buying.
You’re thinking maybe 6 months, maybe a year? You think with time, you’ll have a better idea of what you’re looking for and more inventory will be available to choose from this time next year. Or maybe you’ll try to save a little more, thinking the higher down payment will help you with your buying power to afford a home in a slightly more expensive price point.
In the long run, your decision to wait to buy may not produce the results you’re looking for. You’re not considering ...

So you're thinking about purchasing a home? Whether you are a seasoned homebuyer or new to the process, there are things that we recommend you to know before you buy. Take a look at this list of 10 things that you should know prior to buying a home: the mortgage edition.
1.) Length of Process
The length of the process varies depending on the borrower and the amount of information needed to make a decision. 
Tip: Staying in constant communication with your mortgage banker will help you remain informed of anything that could delay the application process.
2.) Budget Vs. Affordability
Just because you qualify for a certain amount of financing does not mean you necessarily need to spend that amount on a home. Unexpected bills, a loss in income or a change in family status all affect your ability to make your monthly mortgage payment in the future. You will also want to have savings and extra cash for vacations and unexpected expenses. 
Tip: Budgeting for less than you can a ...

It’s all too easy for real estate investors to focus mainly on the property they are considering purchasing without putting the same amount of effort into properly researching the area it is in. Needless to say, this is a mistake, and it’s one that can be easily avoided by working with an experienced real estate agent who knows the best (and worst) local areas for investment.
As you can imagine, the research you’re going to be conducting when purchasing a property that is purely for investment purposes is very different from what you’d do for your own home. It’s possible to overlook excellent investment opportunities that are simply not on your radar because their location is very different from what you and your family prefer.
There are two different categories of factors that need to be taken into account when investing. The macro scale considerations (the bigger picture), and smaller localized micro considerations. Each is a topic worthy of its own po; ...