Real estate sales are primarily a localized market. That's why you wouldn't ask a Dallas real estate agent for assistance in purchasing a duplex in St. Louis. Likewise, you wouldn't ask a San Diego mechanic to winterize your Denver car or a Tallahassee-based educator what he thinks about the public school system in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

While it's true that a professional's industry knowledge will extend nationally, their expertise is specific to the local market they serve. The same goes for mortgage professionals. Here are more reasons to choose a local mortgage professional's expertise over a faceless, impersonal "rocket" one. 

The Neighborhoods We Serve Are Our Neighborhoods

Each neighborhood has a particular flavor that makes it

With rates at incredible lows, Americans across the country are refinancing their mortgage. But if you have poor credit, you may be wondering if it's possible. 

Refinancing with a low credit score isn't the ideal position, but it is possible. Here's everything you need to know about refinancing into a lower rate mortgage while having bad credit. 

But first, why bother refinancing in the first place? 

Refinancing saves you money because you end up paying less interest over the life of the loan. That can also translate to lower monthly payment, but if nothing else, it means that more of your payment will go to the principal than the lender. 

A handsome prospect for anyone! But for those with less-than-ideal credit, refinancing at a fair

Most homes have an element that could use some improvement before putting on the market. Perhaps the wood flooring is looking scratched and dingey. Or the tub and shower are showing their years. Or maybe the shingled roof is making your home look outdated. 

No matter what needs improving, when it comes to selling your home, there's a decision to be made: will you invest in upgrading and repairs, or will you sell as is?

Both of these scenarios have their perks, so the deciding can be tough. One the one hand, investing in remodeling and renovation can boost your home's value so you'll likely recoup the money and gain some extra. 

On the other hand, value-minded shoppers aren't afraid of a fixer-upper and may even prefer a home that they

The idea of your home getting foreclosed on can send a chill up your spine. It's understandable. Thinking that a bank shuts you out of your home with ruined credit is an awful thought. 

But here's the reality check: Not everything that you've heard about foreclosing is true. Here are the most common misconceptions about the process.

Myth 1: Banks want to foreclose on your home

Not true. While the lender has a legal obligation to get back the money still owed, foreclosure is always the last resort. 

Remember that banks get revenue from collecting interest, not owning real estate. 

Myth 2: You can't refinance with another lender

Refinancing is one of the ways that many try to avoid foreclosure. But what you may not know

For real estate investors, waiting for the market to stabilize is usually the way to go. But considering the current pandemic, stabilizing could take some time. And with so much real estate opportunity on the horizon (and currently), waiting may not be something you want to do. 

If this sounds like you, here are four principles to help guide you through real estate investing during a crisis.

1. Be Patient

It's an unfortunate expectation, but with the recent spike in unemployment, it won't be lone before we see homeowners foreclose. As an investor, you need to be patient and be more selective. 

Wait for a property with a large profit margin and can withstand a possible hit in resale value (more on that below). There are still many

When it comes to home buying it feels like there are already limitless decisions to comb through of wants, needs, hopes, and budgets. While it can feel like there isn’t an easy way to start narrowing down what you are going to prioritize looking at or searching for, there is one important distinction that, if an obvious choice comes to you, you could easily mitigate a lot of time-wasting in the process. That decision is whether or not you are interested in a new construction home, or a resale home. Below we’ve laid out some of the biggest benefits about each type of home-buying. We hope this helps make your decision even a tiny bit easier! 

Perks of New Construction Homes

The “Green” Aspect

Whether it’s more on a cost basis or an

The home you own now will likely always remain special to you. After all, you selected it from dozens of others on the market. You’ll always remember the jitters of shopping for such a big-ticket item, the triumph of moving in after signing, and perhaps the first time you had the extended family over to your own home for the holidays. 

Whether this is your starter home or the home in which you raised your family, it’s natural that you’ve gone back and forth trying to decide whether you really need to sell and move on. For most homeowners, though, the day does ultimately arrive when it’s time to upgrade from a starter home to a home that’s better suited for their long-term lifestyle goals. 

If you’re considering whether this is your year to make

Saving for a downpayment is one of the first steps to buying a home --apart from getting pre-qualified for a mortgage. Starting your savings also requires quite a bit of commitment. It takes discipline to forgo that weekend getaway with friends or reduce everyday purchases like your usual morning latte. But when you're saving for a house, every purchase and dollar saved must be a deliberate choice.

But where's the best place to store your home-savings nest egg? After all, you'll be saving in the tens of thousands, not just a couple of thousand. Lenders will also need to verify where your downpayment came from, meaning they'll want to see a record of deposits that prove your savings efforts or gifted funds.

Here are some suggestions for where to

This is not a time of year typically associated with a lot of home sales, but real estate experts advise that owners can actually tap this unique market. All it takes is a different type of prep work and a positive attitude. 

While highlighting bright, sunny days coupled with warm weather and green grass can seem like the best way to market a home, some industry insiders actually prefer to market a home in winter, according to the Realty Times. Homes tend to be more brightly lit, and - in certain cases - even festively decorated in a way that makes a listing look a lot more "home-y" in photos and videos, as well as in person. 

Everyone is motivated 

Another huge benefit that comes with putting a home up for sale in the winter

While some potential homeowners were unable to purchase a property this summer due to fierce competition and a short supply, many experts say autumn is actually the best time to shop. With fewer people in the market to buy a home, and those who listed properties before still anxious to sell, this season creates a greater probability for better deals and price.

The biggest thing that can help facilitate real estate sales at this time of year is that most homes still on the market have been there for some time - usually a few months, according to Trulia. Sellers are more likely to bring down their prices and provide a little more wiggle room than they might have during the summer to get a deal done expediently, especially if they're looking to sell