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Lenders: Looking to simplify closings? Work with an insurance agency

Housing Wire

HousingWire recently spoke to Tom Kriby, vice president of client development and partnerships at Westwood Insurance Agency, about how working with an insurance agency can simplify the closing process for their customers, even in times of interest rate uncertainty. While some elements of PITI are set, others offer buyers opportunity.

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Opinion: Title and settlement fees aren’t a barrier to homeownership

Housing Wire

Asian borrowers pay $13 less than non-Hispanic white borrowers (the control group); low-income borrowers pay $14 more; and first-time home buyers pay $11 less than repeat buyers. Homeowner’s insurance, the servicer, and even the GSE (the actual holder of the default risk on the mortgage), represent small overall costs by comparison.

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Closing costs: Here’s how much money you really need to buy a house

Housing Wire

These expenses vary state-by-state, due to the differences in property and transfer tax, as well as rates charged by different attorneys and lenders. On average, closing costs equal about 1 to 4% of your home’s value, which isn’t something most home buyers are usually aware of. Property Tax. Title Insurance.

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Nashville breaks into list of top migration destinations for first time since 2021: Redfin

Housing Wire

Nashville has relatively low property taxes, insurance costs and utility prices, along with no state income tax, all of which definitely help if you’re looking for a lower cost of living.” While a lot of Sanchez’s clients were from California , she also reported working with people from Chicago, New York and Florida.

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Homeowners are staying in place twice as long as they did 20 years ago: Redfin

Housing Wire

For that group, the median monthly cost of owning a home — which includes insurance and property taxes, among other things — is just over $600 (similar to the monthly cost for other generations with no outstanding mortgage, but other generations are far less likely to own homes free and clear),” the report stated.

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The share of owner-occupants buying foreclosures has doubled — here’s why

Housing Wire

The share of distressed property auction buyers who say they are owner-occupants nearly doubled over the last year, boosted by a game-changing government policy that took effect last August. That was nearly double the 8% of buyers who described themselves as owner-occupants in a February 2022 Auction.com buyer survey.

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Demystifying Closing Costs: What Home Buyers and Sellers Should Expect

Eppraisal

Whether you're a first-time buyer or a seasoned homeowner, understanding these costs is essential for a smooth transaction. Let's delve into the intricacies of closing costs, what they entail, and how they impact both buyers and sellers. What are Closing Costs?

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