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Home Ownership

The Path to Homeownership

Real Estate Agent meeting and shaking hands with potential homeowners

As the 2024 homebuying season begins, Rivermark’s mortgage team has some insights to help you through the exciting and complex process. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner, there’s plenty of new information you can learn about homeownership and the journey to get there.

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Creative Strategies for Homebuyers in a Competitive Market

In today's challenging real estate market, prospective homebuyers face stiff competition and rising costs. However, there are creative ways to navigate these hurdles and secure your dream home, second home, or investment property. Here are nine strategies to consider that can make a significant difference in your home-buying journey.

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Renting vs Buying a Home

Contemplating a shift from renting to owning your home? This decision, likely one of the largest you'll make in life, requires careful consideration of your lifestyle, budget, and long-term goals. From evaluating the pros and cons of homeownership to understanding the financial implications, it's crucial to ask the right questions to illuminate your path forward.

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Mortgages 101: Getting Started on The Path to Homeownership

When you embark on the search for a new home, you may think you know the steps to take: Read the listings, visit some open houses, sign on with a Realtor, make an offer. In fact, there’s a biggie missing from that list — a step as important financially as the house you decide to buy itself: Get a mortgage.

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What to Consider Financially As A First-Time Homebuyer

So, you’re ready to buy your first home. Congratulations! For many people, taking this step is one of the biggest financial moves they will make in their entire lives. Because of that — and because it’s a lot more complicated than, say, buying a plane ticket or even something else you’d need to finance (like a car) — you’re going to want to tread carefully.

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Fall Home Maintenance Tips

Cleaning leaves out of gutters

As winter approaches, there are some things you can do on the inside and outside of your home to protect your investment, save money, and keep your family comfortable. Best of all, these ten tips are quick and easy to complete on your own or with a professional.

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5 Ways to Save for a Home Loan Down Payment

Couple moving into house

Your down payment for a home loan can be saved in many different ways. There will be easy ways and difficult ways. Some ways will require sacrifices, while others will take time. If you're committed to owning a home one day, these small sacrifices will be well worth it. The following are some ways you can begin saving for your down payment on a home today.

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Your Springtime Home Maintenance Checklist

Man cleaning out gutters

It has been a long winter. There is no better time to clean up your house than right now, before the summer arrives and you are going off on some much-needed adventures. Here are a few tips you can use to keep your house and property in great shape. It's time for some springtime home maintenance!

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Maintaining Your Home After Purchase

Home Maintenance

Owning your own home can be an excellent investment. It can also be financially draining if you aren’t regularly maintaining your home. Regular maintenance can take time, planning, and money, but it can help you to save on unexpected repair costs and keep the value of your home up. Below, we share some of our tips for becoming a financially responsible homeowner.

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Mortgage Points

Many members who close on a home mortgage with us wonder about mortgage points and whether you really save more in the long run by purchasing mortgage points upfront. If you’re new to the home-buying process, you may even be wondering what mortgage points are. Rivermark is here to help. We’ll explain everything you need to know about mortgage points and help you determine if they’re worth paying for.

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