Mortgages

When it comes to real estate The Middlefield Banking Company understands it’s a localized market. If you are in the market for a new home, it is extremely important to understand the advantage of working with a local mortgage lender. In this blog, we will outline the top advantages and benefits of working with a local mortgage lender.  #1 Local Expertise  When it comes to a profession, most would agree your knowledge is unique to the market you serve – that is...
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A Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Line of Credit are both loans that use your home as collateral. Though they are very similar, they are different loans. Keep reading to learn what a Home Equity Loan and Home Equity Line of Credit are, their differences, and their benefits!  What Are They and How Do they Differ?  A Home Equity Loan or a Home Equity Line of Credit, commonly known as a HELOC, are both loans which use your home as collateral. Both are fantastic options for borrowing...
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Buying a home is a big deal. Here are a few of the best-kept secrets you need to know before buying a house.  Secret #1 The first secret for purchasing a home is to scope out the neighborhood you are thinking of buying in and do it a lot. The reason you should do this is to see if it is an enjoyable place to be and that it is a neighborhood you could envision yourself and your family being a part of.  Driving by at different parts of the day is important to notice any commonalities....
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If one of your to-dos for 2022 is packing up your house and moving, you may be wondering how much that will end up costing you. While the amount varies greatly depending on how far, how much stuff you have and other factors, this blog will help you come up with an idea of what to expect. Average Moving Cost Local move: $1,250 Long distance move: $4,890 Factors Affecting the Cost The following factors are unique to your specific moving experience, meaning the price you pay varies: 1....
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If you’re preparing to sell your home, you’re in the right place. We’re here to provide you with 8 helpful house staging tips so you can make the most of your space and grab the attention of prospective buyers.  Focus on the curb appeal.  Curb appeal is huge when it comes to first impressions. Some good and relatively cheap ways to make the outside of your home more attractive are to repaint the front door, lay fresh mulch, add more greenery, get a new...
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The housing market is ideal for both buyers and sellers at this time of year. Things are moving quickly so in order to sell your home fast; you need to be ready to move and groove! We’ve created this blog with tips and helpful advice on how you can sell your home fast.   Choose FSBO or Realtor   Choose if you will be selling the home yourself (for sale by owner) or if you will be using a realtor. The realtor knows the process and can get things rolling –...
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Buying a home is a major achievement—and investment! Mortgage payments help build up equity in your home over time, but there are changes and upgrades you can make to your home in order to increase its value, resulting in a bigger return on your investment.  Homeowners should look for simple, cost-effective ways to increase their home’s value, especially if they plan to sell in the future. Take a look at these 5 ways to increase your home’s...
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How much can I reasonably spend on a home? This is a question every single prospective homeowner asks before purchasing a house, and this is exactly what we want them to be asking! While buying a home is a great financial investment to start building equity and wealth, no one wants to be house poor. Create a budget for yourself by using the tips below or jump straight to our mortgage calculator.  Save for a Down Payment and Closing Costs  A...
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Becoming a homeowner for the first time is no easy task! You’ve probably heard horror stories from friends about overpaying or missing a crucial piece of information before committing to an offer. Here are a few tips to help you prepare for buying your first (or next) home so you feel confident in the home buying journey! Before You Buy  Start Saving Early – the earlier you start saving, the better! Many first-time homeowners assume they just need to save...
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With rates continuing to be low, now is a great time to purchase a home! It may seem daunting at first, but it’s a great experience and can be fun if you are prepared. Whether you are a first-time homebuyer or have purchased a home before, keep reading to see how much money you need to buy a home.  You may not need the full loan amount offered.  While you can get a loan for a large amount of money, you may not want to get that full amount. Think about all...
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