A Comprehensive Guide to Explaining Escrow Accounts

Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or a seasoned homeowner considering a refinance, the term "escrow account" often looms as a source of confusion. Yet, understanding the ins and outs of escrow accounts is crucial for managing your homeownership responsibilities effectively. In this article, we'll address some common questions and concerns regarding escrow accounts to shed light on their importance and functionality. What is an Escrow Account? Escrow accounts, sometimes referred to as "impound" accounts, serve as a financial mechanism to facilitate the payment of property taxes and homeowner's insurance. Typically, lenders require homeowners to contribute a portion of these expenses…
Read More

4 Common Remodeling Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Investing in your home by remodeling or renovating is an excellent way to increase its value. However, a significant renovation project can quickly turn into a disaster, especially for those who are inexperienced. Let's take a look at four of the more common home renovation mistakes that homeowners make and how you can avoid them. Mistake #1: Skipping The Permit Process The first mistake you will want to avoid is undertaking any home renovation without the required permits. While some remodeling projects will not require a permit, others will. Regardless, it is more than worth taking the time to do…
Read More

What’s Ahead For Mortgage Rates This Week – January 12th, 2026

The trade deficit dropped significantly this month, resulting in the smallest gap in the last 16 years. This has been entirely driven by the ongoing gold rush and, to a much less impactful degree, businesses working their way around high tariffs. The unemployment reports, however, have shed another light, showing a steady trend of unemployment rising and reaching a four-year high as of last week. This is somewhat offset by consumer sentiment, which showed a slightly positive increase alongside relative improvements in the economy. All in all, the data points to mixed results for the broader market. The upcoming week…
Read More