Category Archives: Miscellaneous

Happy Earth Day!

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Earth Day

Happy Earth Day!

Every year we celebrate Earth Day on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. There are many things you do to celebrate the day and help the earth. You can even do some of these activities every day to contribute to a safer and healthier planet!

Things You Can Do on Earth Day:

• Donate directly to Earth Day Network – through this network, activists connect, interact with and impact their communities, creating positive change in local, national, and global policies.

• E-Waste – You can safely get rid of any electronics collecting dust in your home. These items include: cell phones, computers, laptops, televisions and printers.  If not properly recycled, these items end up in landfills or are incinerated and can cause major environmental problems. Visit E-Stewards to find the closest e-waste recycling center closest to you.

• Clean Up – Planning on taking a nice spring walk today? Help the environment while you enjoy the fresh air. Take a garbage bag and some gloves with you and pick up any trash you see along your walk. Any little bit will help!

• Switch to online bill pay – Save some paper and get your bills delivered to your email and pay them online. It also saves you a stamp and an email is harder to lose than a piece of paper buried in the rest of your documents. And you can set up a payment schedule so you don’t miss any payments!

• Plant a tree – Not only does it increase the value of your yard (and your home along with that), but over a 50-year lifetime a tree generates $31,250 worth of oxygen, provides $62,000 worth of air pollution control, recycles $37,500 worth of water and controls $31,2500 worth of soil erosion! Plant one you’ll enjoy and can sit under the shade on a hot day.

Today should be a reminder of the things you can do every day to help the Earth. The Earth Day Network is a great place to go to on a regular basis to see what you can do in your everyday life. By doing things like turning off the water while you brush your teeth, filling up your bin every week with recyclables, taking the bus or a bike when you can and switching all the lights in your house to energy friendly bulbs will have a great impact.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Spending Your Tax Refund

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Tax Refund Tips

Happy Tax Day! Hopefully, you have sorted all of your 2012 tax matters. If you are expecting a refund – what will you do with it? We’ve put together a few tips to help you make the most of your income tax refund money.

How to Spend Your Tax Refund

  1. Make a Plan – It’s amazing how quickly an extra thousand or two can disapper if you have not created a plan for the money. If you have not considered where it would be best used – you are more likely to make impulse purchases with your inflated bank balance.
  2. Debt Reduction – Unless you have no debt, you could apply the majority of what you get back towards your debt – especially high interest debt common with revolving credit accounts. Paying down balances with higher interest rates will reduce the interest you pay over the life of the account.
  3. Adjusting Your Withholdings – If you received a large refund, you may be allowing the government to take too much of your money throughout the year. Maybe you just like getting a big check each year. However, paying more on on high interest debt through out the year may be the better option instead of overpaying the government. Consider all your options. A big refund basically means you’ve been giving the government an interest-free loan all year.
  4. Savings – If you have already paid off your high interest debt, consider an emergency savings fund, a vacation fund, or savings account dedicated to your home improvement dreams. A mortgage is generally not considered high interest debt. If you have a high interest rate on your home mortgage – refinance as soon as possible to take advantage of low fixed mortgage rates.
  5. Consider Homeownership – If you have not made the leap to homeownership, a tax refund may serve as a down payment, help you reduce your debt and improve your credit situation, or enable you to purchase necesssities for your new home. Get a free, no obligation, pre-approval from a licensed Inlanta Mortgage loan officer to determine how much you can afford.

Buy a Home

Ready to discuss homeownership and the home financing option best for your unique situation? Use our branch locator to find an Inlanta Mortgage loan officer near you. Can’t find a branch near you? Apply online here. We will connect you with an experienced loan officer who will guide you through the home buying process.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

This article is intended to provide general information and should not be considered legal, tax or financial advice. It’s always a good idea to consult a legal, tax or financial advisor for specific information on how certain laws apply to you and about your individual financial situation.

Homeownership Rates – Now & Then

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Home Ownership Rates

For most Americans, home is more than a shelter. It is also their most valuable asset and an important savings vehicle. So how many Americans actually own the homes they live in? Have homeownership rates changed over the past 20 years?

Homeownership Rates Now

The homeownership rate, as defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, is the percentage of homes that are occupied by the owner. It is not the percentage of adults that own their home. In January, the U.S. Census Bureau released a report on residential vacancies and homeownership for the fourth quarter of 2012. The homeownership rate was 65.4 percent. If you break this down geographically, home ownership rates were highest in the Midwest (69.7 percent) and lowest in the West (59.5 percent.)

Homeownership Rates 20 Years Ago

How does that compare to 20 year ago when Inlanta Mortgage was founded?  The homeownership rate for 1993 (revised based the U.S. Census 1990) was 64.0 percent. Homeownership rates vary by geographic area – see how homeownership rates differ by state here. For example, in 1993 homeownership rates were highest in Delaware (74.4 percent) and West Virginia (73.6 percent) and some of the lowest rates were in California (56.8 percent) and New York (53.5 percent).

Homeownership Rates & The Young

While overall homeownership rates have remained relatively stable since the 1960s, rates vary depending on characteristics of households. Recent research has examined the decline in homeownership rates with “heads” aged 25-44 years since 1980. This research indicates that a trend toward marrying later and the increase in household earnings risk that occurred after 1980 account for a large share of the decline in young homeownership. Read Why Has Homeownership Fallen among the Young for more information. To review homeownership rates by year and age click here.

Benefits of Homeownership

There are a number of benefits to homeownership. Here are a few reasons to consider purchasing a home while rates are low and home affordability is high:

  • Mortgage interest tax decution
  • More cohesive communities
  • Better connected families
  • Long term wealth accumulation

Get pre-approved today! Contact a licensed Inlanta Mortgage loan officer for a free consultation.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Happy Presidents Day!

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Happy Presdidents Day

Facts on Presidents Day

According to Wikipedia, Presidents Day is not a federal holiday – but George Washington’s birthday is. Washington’s Birthday is celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of the first President of the United States, and concurrent with Presidents Day. We could get even more technical and say Presidents Day is actually a misspelling. However, without being recognized as a formal holiday, it has no formal name. Presidents’ Day  used be the more predominant spelling, but Presidents Day is becoming increasingly popular.

Celebrating Our Nation’s Leaders

Although the aforementioned factoids are interesting they are also confusing. Let’s just focus on the people this day celebrates – our nation’s leaders.

From Wikipedia, here are a few different ways Presidents Day, President’s Day and Washington’s Birthday are recognized around America.

  • In Massachusetts, the state officially celebrates “Washington’s Birthday” on the same day as the Federal holiday. State law also directs the governor to issue an annual “Presidents Day” proclamation on May 29 (John F. Kennedy‘s birthday) honoring the presidents with Massachusetts roots: Kennedy, John Adams, John Quincy Adams, and Calvin Coolidge.
  • Alabama uniquely observes the day as “Washington and Jefferson Day”, even though Thomas Jefferson’s birthday is in April.
  • In Connecticut, Missouri and Illinois, while Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday, Abraham Lincoln’s birthday is still a state holiday, falling on February 12 regardless of the day of the week.
  • In Washington’s home state of Virginia, the holiday is legally known as “George Washington Day.”

We hope you have a wonderful holiday!

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Tax Tips for Homeowners

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Tax Tips for Homeowners

Are you a new homeowner this tax season? Don’t fret! Although tax preparations become a little bit more complicated as a homeowner – you can now deduct many home-related expenses.

While we are definitely not tax experts and highly recommend consulting a tax professional, here are a few things you may want to consider as tax time approaches.

To Itemize or Not to Itemize

This is typically one of the first questions you must consider as you attend to your taxes this year. How do you decide? Well, you have to determine which option will benefit you more - itemizing your deductible expenses or claiming the standard deduction.

The IRS has put together Six Facts about Choosing the Standard or Itemized Deductions to help you determine which method gives you the lowest tax. Click to view Schedule A (Form 1040) – Itemized Deductions and the 1040 Instructions.

A Few Deductible Homeowner Expenses

Mortgage interest is by far the biggest tax break available to homeowners. For most homeowners, the bulk of your monthly payment goes torwards interest. Mortgage interest is deductible, but there are limitations for high income earners. Consult a tax professional if you fall into this category.

Federal laws grant taxpayers a deduction of property taxes paid from their gross income when figuring taxable net income. Any state, local or foreign taxes on your property are deductible, as long as the same tax is levied on all other property in the community. Although subject to conditions and restrictions, the property tax deduction still affords helpful financial assistance to homeowners, many of whom are subject to property taxes as well as income and sales taxes in their state.

Other Helpful Tax Resources

We recommend you check out 9 Easy Mistakes Home Owners Make on Their Taxes. We are not trying to scare you or anything – but mistakes happen.

Looking to file your taxes for free? Many participating software companies make their tax preparation software available through the IRS. Visit the IRS for more information.

Not a homeowner yet? Ready to start reaping the rewards of homeownership? Contact a licensed Inlanta Mortgage loan officer near you to learn about the loan programs available in your area.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Inlanta Mortgage is proudly celebrating twenty years in business. Learn more about Inlanta’s twenty year history here.

Holiday Songs

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Christmas Music

Almost everyone has a favorite holiday song. What’s yours?

Here are a few links to some of the best holiday songs ever recorded (in our humble opinion):

From our families to yours – Merry Christmas!

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

 

‘Tis the Season to Pin

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What is Pinterest?

Pinterest bills itself as a virtual pin board that allows people to organize and share items they find of interest by pinning images to boards. Pinterest grew to 10 million unique visitors per month – faster than any other website in history. Pinterest currently boasts more than 23 million unique visitors per month.

Who Uses Pinterest?

We do. Visit our boards! According to TechCrunch.com, Pinterest has millions of users most of which whom are 18-34 year-old, higher income women in the American heartland. Please note – this website is by no means for women only! Pinterest users in all demographics are growing at an astounding rate. From crafts to funny memes, this website has something appealing to virtually everyone.

Joining Pinterest

Okay – so you’re intrigued. Here are a few tips to help you get started.

  • Create an Account - Use your Facebook or Twitter account to sign up – or use an email address.
  • What does it mean to ‘Pin’ something? – This means you posted it to a board on Pinterest.
  • What’s a ‘board’? – A board is a set of pins. A board can be created for any topic. Examples of boards include Funny Stuff, Wedding Plans, or Christmas Recipes.
  • What does it mean to ‘Follow’ someone on Pinterest? – If you follow a person you will see that person’s pins show in real time on Pinterest.
  • What does it mean to ‘Repin’? – When you repin, you are essentially posting someone else’s image onto one of your own boards.

Inlanta’s Pinterest

We pin to a variety of boards including Interesting Homes, Home Improvement, Fun Stuff, and have recently added a ‘Tis the Season board. Check out some of the fantastic holiday pins we have come across:

Happy Holidays and Happy Pinning!

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

Black Friday 2012

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BLACK FRIDAY SHOPPING

Black Friday isn’t officially over yet, but we already know it was a success. The turkey wasn’t even cold before stores like Target, Toys ‘R Us and Wal-Mart opened Thursday night. People even began camping out days before to be first in line for the door buster deals they had to get their hands on.

This was the first year stores were officially open Thanksgiving Day (it was tested last year with a few stores) as opposed to opening in the wee hours of the morning on Friday. According to an International Council of Shopping Centers – Goldman Sachs survey of 1,000 consumers conducted this month, about 17 percent planned to shop at stores that opened on Thanksgiving, up from 16 percent last year. For just Black Friday shopping, the percent of people who intended to shop went down one percent to 33. But in the end, it’s estimated sales will be up 3.8 percent this year to $11.4 billion.

Some people took the shopping a little too far though; at the Woodland Mall in Grand Rapids, Mich. there was an altercation that forced police to pepper spray mall-goers. In Texas, a man allegedly pulled a gun on a another shopper who punched him in the face when they were waiting in line at a Sears. Luckily, the majority of shoppers were able to make their purchases safely and head home to get some sleep.

If in-store shopping isn’t your thing, you’re in luck because after the chaos of Black Friday comes Cyber Monday. On Monday November 26, many websites will have special deals that are only online and a few places will offer free shipping. At least if you have to be up early to shop, you can be in your pajamas and in bed. And in case you missed it, here are some last minute tips to shopping on Black Friday.

However you end up doing your shopping, we hope you find the best deals and are able to cross off everyone’s wish list!

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.

 

6 Black Friday Shopping Tips

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Be Prepared for Black Friday

Black Friday is almost here. Are you prepared? Here are a few shopping tips to help you make the most of this crazy busy shopping day.

Black Friday Shopping Tips

     

  1. Do Your Research – If you plan to purchase a big ticket item, make sure you do your research. Just because the item you plan to buy is cheap, doesn’t guarantee it’s a good deal. Read consumer reviews and reports to make sure the discounted item is worth getting out of bed at 5 am.
  2. Browse Deals Before You Go – Sketch out a game plan for Black Friday. Know your budget, which stores have sales, and which stores have sales on items you actually want.
  3. Compare Prices Before You Head Out – Determine what the regular price of an item is before you commit to purchasing that item on sale. Make sure you are comparing like items! It is not uncommon for stores to offer “stripped down” versions of products at deep discounts and then charge regular prices for all the required accessories.
  4. Use Store Credit Cards – This is generally a good idea when a deeper discount or an extended warranty is offered when purchasing using store credit. If there are no additional discounts or warranties, it may make more sense to pay another way.
  5. Check Out Night Owl Specials -  More and more stores offer deals for night owls that aren’t likely to get up at the crack of dawn. Cashing in on these deals may help you beat the crowd and ensure you get the item you are coveting.
  6. Know the Store’s Policy – Does the store you plan to shop at charge re-stocking fees or have a shorter return window? This will become an issue if the item you purchased isn’t all you expected it to be. Always keep your receipt – without your receipt stores aren’t likely to take your return at all.

Spread a Little Cheer

 
Good luck with your holiday shopping! Consider picking up an extra toy this year for a child in need! Many local charities help distribute toys to children over the holidays. One of our Wisconsin branches is collecting toys for the Children’s Hospital of Wisconsin. For more information on the Brookfield branch toy drive, click here.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker based out of Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016.

 

Home Loan Calculators

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Mortgage Calculator

Are you looking to buy a new home or refinance your existing mortgage? While a calculator is no substitute for the advice a licensed mortgage loan professional can provide when it comes to home financing – they are useful when looking for a quick estimate of how much your payments would be and how much you can borrow.

Mortgage Calculators

  • Amortization Schedule and Calculator

    This simple loan calculator allows you to input different interest rates, loan amounts, and mortgage length so you can estimate your monthly payment. Plus, you can also see an amortization schedule of a loan which will show you how much of your payment goes towards the principal and how much towards interest.

  • How Much Are My Payments

    Use our mortgage calculator to determine your monthly payment amount. Estimate your taxes and insurance so these amounts will be included in the payment calculation.

  • How Much Can I Borrow?

    Use the following calculator to determine the maximum monthly payment (P+I) and the maximum loan amount for which you may qualify.

These calculators are terrific for quick estimates – but for an accurate assessment of your financial situation and help determining which mortgage loan program is best for you – we recommend consulting a licensed mortgage loan professional. They can explain which programs you are eligible for – including low or no down payment options. Contact a licensed mortgage loan officer near you.

Other Tools:

  • Glossary of Mortgage Terms

    Need simple, straightforward answers to the various mortgage terms on our website? We can help. Find what you need with our complete list of mortgage terms.

  • Loan Process

    Inlanta Mortgage is committed to ensuring you understand every step of the home buying process. That’s why we give you the knowledge and confidence to help make an informed decision about your individual mortgage needs.

  • Required Loan Documents

    Several documents will be needed for verification along with your loan application. You may find it helpful to have these documents available upon submission of your loan application to ensure a smooth and quick process.

  • Frequently Asked Questions

    Need simple, straightforward answers to your questions about various loan programs or the lending process? Find what you need with Inlanta Mortgage’s FAQ list.

Inlanta Mortgage offers Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac agency products, as well as a full suite of jumbo and portfolio programs. The company is fully delegated HUD-FHA including FHA 203K, VA, and USDA approved. Inlanta Mortgage also offers numerous state bond agency programs. Review Inlanta’s mortgage loan programs here.

Inlanta Mortgage is a multi-state mortgage banker headquartered in Brookfield, Wisconsin. NMLS# 1016. Inlanta Mortgage is proud to be a recent recipient of a 2012 Top Workplace Award.