If you plan on buying a house and need a mortgage, a lender is going to perform a credit check to help determine whether to give you a loan and the interest rate youd have to pay. The higher your credit score, the more likely youll get approved and the lower your...
Call us to schedule a meeting.
Beth: 319-551-8692 | Katie: 319-327-7992
Blog
Why Mortgage ‘Comfort’ Letters Are No Reason to Panic
What is a comfort letter, and why might you need to submit one?The mortgage process when purchasing a home can be tricky. There’s a ton of paperwork to read through and sign"so much that your hand might cramp up from the vast amounts of signatures required. But don’t...
Financial Help for First-Time Homebuyers
Many people dream of owning a home, but it can be difficult to save enough money for a down payment and closing costs. Fortunately, federal, state and local governments offer a variety of programs to help people purchase their first home.Federal ProgramsThe Federal...
Should You Switch From an Adjustable- to a Fixed-Rate Mortgage?
If you’re looking to lower the interest rate on your existing loan, you may be thinking of refinancing your mortgage. And if you currently have an adjustable-rate mortgage, you may be considering switching gears entirely and taking advantage of a fixed-rate...
5 Financial Tips for First-Time Parents
So a babe is on the way? Congrats! Along with the chaos of, well, everything that is to come, your finances are about to experience an upheaval, as well. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it will cost upwards of $245,000 to raise a child born in 2013 to...
How to Prevent Sun Damage to Your House
The suns ultraviolet rays can do more than cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer. They can also damage your home, both outside and inside. Sunlight can cause siding, roofing, furniture, fabrics, and flooring to change and deteriorate over time.How to Prevent...
The Difference Between a Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Line of Credit
If you need money for an important project, you might be able to finance it by accessing the equity you’ve built up by paying your mortgage. A home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC) are two options. Before you decide to use either, make sure you...
5 Features That Millennials Want in a Home
Here are five features that millennials look for when purchasing a home.PrivacyWhether its a gated community, a building with security, or a backyard enveloped by trees, privacy is important.Eco-friendlyBy investing in sustainability, youre increasing the value of...
Big Issues to Consider Before Buying a Tiny Home
Owning a tiny home can leave you debt-free, but it can still have some big costs.Buying a tiny home can be a way to get out from under the burden of a home loan"or at least lead to a smaller mortgage"but there are other costs buyers should know about before they find...
Six Simple Ways to Increase Home Efficiency
More and more people are looking for ways to increase their home’s energy efficiency"both to conserve energy for the good of our environment and to lower energy costs. The good news, environmentalists tell us, is that there are many ways to accomplish both goals...
Sign up for our Email List
We regularly send out blog articles and newsletters about real estate, healthy homes, green homes and other home ownership topics.

What Happens When a Mortgage Lender Checks Your Credit
If you plan on buying a house and need a mortgage, a lender is going to perform a credit check to help determine whether to give you a loan and the interest rate youd have to pay. The higher your credit score, the more likely youll get approved and the lower your...
Why Mortgage ‘Comfort’ Letters Are No Reason to Panic
What is a comfort letter, and why might you need to submit one?The mortgage process when purchasing a home can be tricky. There’s a ton of paperwork to read through and sign"so much that your hand might cramp up from the vast amounts of signatures required. But don’t...
Financial Help for First-Time Homebuyers
Many people dream of owning a home, but it can be difficult to save enough money for a down payment and closing costs. Fortunately, federal, state and local governments offer a variety of programs to help people purchase their first home.Federal ProgramsThe Federal...
Should You Switch From an Adjustable- to a Fixed-Rate Mortgage?
If you’re looking to lower the interest rate on your existing loan, you may be thinking of refinancing your mortgage. And if you currently have an adjustable-rate mortgage, you may be considering switching gears entirely and taking advantage of a fixed-rate...
5 Financial Tips for First-Time Parents
So a babe is on the way? Congrats! Along with the chaos of, well, everything that is to come, your finances are about to experience an upheaval, as well. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture, it will cost upwards of $245,000 to raise a child born in 2013 to...
How to Prevent Sun Damage to Your House
The suns ultraviolet rays can do more than cause sunburn and contribute to skin cancer. They can also damage your home, both outside and inside. Sunlight can cause siding, roofing, furniture, fabrics, and flooring to change and deteriorate over time.How to Prevent...
The Difference Between a Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Line of Credit
If you need money for an important project, you might be able to finance it by accessing the equity you’ve built up by paying your mortgage. A home equity loan and a home equity line of credit (HELOC) are two options. Before you decide to use either, make sure you...
5 Features That Millennials Want in a Home
Here are five features that millennials look for when purchasing a home.PrivacyWhether its a gated community, a building with security, or a backyard enveloped by trees, privacy is important.Eco-friendlyBy investing in sustainability, youre increasing the value of...
Big Issues to Consider Before Buying a Tiny Home
Owning a tiny home can leave you debt-free, but it can still have some big costs.Buying a tiny home can be a way to get out from under the burden of a home loan"or at least lead to a smaller mortgage"but there are other costs buyers should know about before they find...
Six Simple Ways to Increase Home Efficiency
More and more people are looking for ways to increase their home’s energy efficiency"both to conserve energy for the good of our environment and to lower energy costs. The good news, environmentalists tell us, is that there are many ways to accomplish both goals...