Blog :: loans :: John Hardy | NP Dodge Real Estate

Omaha Moves Here

New Listing: 9103 Hanover Street Omaha, Nebraska

Posted by John Hardy - May 24, 2019, 12:24 PM

Well maintained, a nearly new multi-level with vaulted ceilings, open concept living priced under $200,000.

5 Questions to Ask that Could Save You Money

Posted by John Hardy - May 8, 2019, 11:52 AM

Sometimes asking a simple question could save you hundreds or thousands of dollars.

Analysis of Today’s First-Time Home Buyer.

Posted by John Hardy - Apr 22, 2019, 10:05 AM

On average, first-time home buyers make up a little less than half of total home buyers on the market.

Report: Healthy Housing Market this Spring Home Buying Season

Posted by Mike Dein - Apr 11, 2019, 2:04 PM

Spring is in the air in the Omaha housing market.

Trump Calls to End Conservatorship of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac

Posted by Mike Dein - Apr 2, 2019, 11:09 AM

President signed a memorandum calling for an “overdue" reform of the housing finance system.

Tax Day 2019 Checklist: Did you get all your home-related deductions?

Posted by Mike Dein - Apr 1, 2019, 1:01 PM

Tax Day, or the last day for tax payers to file their income taxes, is Monday, April 15th. If you haven’t filed your taxes yet, it’s time to get started!

Flooding in Midwest Could Have Lasting Impact

Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 25, 2019, 1:06 PM

Heavy rains and rapid snowmelt following last week’s “bomb cyclone” have caused severe flooding throughout the Midwest.

VA Loan Originations More than Double for First-Time Home Buyers

Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 20, 2019, 1:43 PM

The VA Loan has become the loan of choice for first-time home buyers who have served or are actively serving in the US military.

Caution: Home Inspection Myths You Might Believe

Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 18, 2019, 2:10 PM

Home inspections are one of the most important steps in the home buying process and could reveal costly or dangerous problems you could face down the road.

The Next Big Housing Trend May Be Small

Posted by Mike Dein - Mar 6, 2019, 11:37 AM

The next most popular single-family home may be a townhouse. Over the past year, the "single-family attached" market is up 24%.

HomeFundIt™ Review: Ryan and Aimee's Story

Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 15, 2019, 11:32 AM

HomeFundIt™ crowdfunding could give you the boost you need to purchase a home sooner.

3 Things First-Time Home Buyers May Not Know

Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 13, 2019, 11:00 AM

Looking to buy your first home now, or sometime in the future, it’s never too early to do your research.

Builders Cutting Prices to Stay Competitive

Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 6, 2019, 1:19 PM

Study finds that 25.1% of newly constructed homes experienced a price drop in Q4 of 2018. Home shoppers in 2019 may be able to get a deal.

3 Outdated Financial Tips You Might Still Believe

Posted by Mike Dein - Feb 4, 2019, 1:54 PM

What made sense for your parents years ago may not be relevant to today’s economy.

Why Mortgage Points are Getting Popular Again

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 29, 2019, 2:43 PM

Whether or not points will benefit you financially depends on how long you plan on staying in your home, and your loan. Read more to determine.

Why Rental Data Matters – Especially for Home Buyers

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 23, 2019, 10:09 AM

Rental prices fluctuate more rapidly than sales prices and can be a good indicator of housing market health.

Can you get a mortgage with a credit freeze?

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 14, 2019, 10:21 AM

While it protects you in cases of stolen identity, it also prevents legitimate lenders from accessing your credit.

Don’t Make this Home Renovation Mistake

Posted by Mike Dein - Jan 7, 2019, 2:27 PM

In 2017, 1 in 3 homeowners paid for some of their renovation project with a credit card, this is a dangerous debt to take on.

Real Estate Predictions for 2019

Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 31, 2018, 10:13 AM

After several years of a red-hot housing market, activity is expected to slow, and that’s good news for home buyers.

Mortgage Debt Reaches 10-Year High

Posted by John Hardy - Dec 7, 2018, 12:32 PM

The Federal Reserve announced outstanding mortgage debt totaled $10.2 trillion in the second quarter of 2018, up 2.7%

Can you afford to buy a home? How much to spend on housing?

Posted by Mike Dein - Dec 5, 2018, 1:39 PM

For most Americans, both renters and homeowners, housing is their largest expense. But how much is too much to spend on housing costs?

Saving for a Down Payment Might Take up to 7 Years or More

Posted by John Hardy - Nov 10, 2018, 9:34 AM

Getting creative could cut saving process down to months with one of our partners.

What Judge Kavanaugh Confirmation Means for the Future of the CFPB

Posted by Mike Dein - Oct 17, 2018, 1:40 PM

The Senate's vote to confirm Judge Kavanaugh to the Supreme Court has Washington questioning what will happen to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau.

Market Forecast October 2018

Posted by Mike Dein - Oct 15, 2018, 2:11 PM

Builder sentiment was positive last month. Housing starts jumped, but building permits tapered off. Existing home sales were unchanged.

Buyer Beware: How to Spot Down Payment Wire Transfer Fraud

Posted by Mike Dein - Sep 22, 2018, 3:16 PM

CNBC reported on a new variant of wire transfer fraud schemes targeting home buyers at the time of closing.

Millennials Delay Marriage, Not Homeownership

Posted by John Hardy - Sep 17, 2018, 2:25 PM

In 1985, 75% of first-time home buyers were married, today, it’s 57%.

First-Time Home Buyers Outnumber Repeat Buyers

Posted by John Hardy - Sep 4, 2018, 2:15 PM

Despite the down payment obstacle, first-time home buyers continue to dominate the housing market.

More First-Time Home Buyers Using Retirement Money for Down Payment

Posted by Mike Dein - Aug 21, 2018, 2:21 PM

In an alarming trend, one in three homeowners ages 21-34 from took out loans against their retirement account to pay for their down payment.

Should You Buy First or Sell First?

Posted by Mike Dein - Aug 17, 2018, 1:53 PM

Each route has its own advantages, depending on your situation. Read this then consult with us on the best option for your situation.

Adjustable-Rate Mortgages Popular Again

Posted by Mike Dein - Aug 7, 2018, 11:27 PM

With an adjustable-rate mortgage, the interest rate will move up or down after a fixed period of an introductory rate that lasts three to seven years.

How to Really Retire Early

Posted by Mike Dein - Aug 1, 2018, 4:55 PM

Simply saving money is not enough to build wealth. It’s not about how much money you save, but what you do with that savings.

Don’t Believe This Big Credit Card Myth

Posted by Mike Dein - Jul 25, 2018, 1:28 PM

Lenders use the credit score to evaluate a borrower’s ability to repay the loan. Your credit score is integral to your ability to qualify for a mortgage.

Homeowner Equity Hits Record High

Posted by Mike Dein - Jul 23, 2018, 1:29 PM

This month, tappable homeowner equity, reached the highest level ever recorded.

How to Buy a Home When You’re Self-Employed

Posted by Mike Dein - Jul 12, 2018, 5:59 PM

Buying a home when you are self-employed or own your own business will require more documentation than if you are a salaried employee with a yearly W2.

Mortgage Application Denied. What to do Next

Posted by Mike Dein - Jun 18, 2018, 9:39 AM

While it’s a setback, mortgage application denial does not have to mean the end of your home search. Take these proactive steps to get you back on track.

Coming Up: What to Watch in Housing

Posted by Mike Dein - Jun 17, 2018, 2:58 PM

A list of the top issues impacting real estate and mortgage lending over the next three to seven years.

Your Mortgage Shouldn’t be One Size Fits All

Posted by Mike Dein - May 31, 2018, 2:18 PM

This year’s Mortgage Bankers Association conference most prevalent topic of discussion was the growing market for different types of mortgage loans.

Why Some Millennials are Skipping Starter Homes

Posted by Mike Dein - May 14, 2018, 5:14 PM

Millennials have delayed homeownership long enough to advance to a comfortable place in their career and qualify for the financing needed for a larger home.

NEVER Put These Expenses on Credit Cards

Posted by Mike Dein - May 10, 2018, 2:56 PM

NEVER put these expenses on credit cards. Credit cards are no longer the "emergency use only" tools they once were. Outstanding consumer credit card debt surpassed $1 trillion in 2017, the highest it's ever been.

Credit Scores Could Improve

Posted by Mike Dein - May 6, 2018, 12:19 AM

Earlier this month, all three major credit bureaus, Experian, Equifax, and TransUnion, announced they would exclude tax liens from consumer credit reports.