Expert Tips
Rent vs. buying
Thinking about whether to buy or rent a house is a hard decision and not one that should be taken lightly. The best advice anyone could possibly give you is to remember to do what’s best for you and your family. Additionally, determine how much of a monthly payment you can afford and how much…
Read MoreAnnouncing SouthPoint Home Mortgage
On April 21, 1936, eight community members from the St. Mary’s Parish in Sleepy Eye signed a Certificate of Organization to be a financial cooperative that would serve the members of the parish. Since that day the credit union you now know as SouthPoint Financial Credit Union has been a continual evolution to serve those…
Read MoreWhat is an escrow account?
For many, an escrow account can be one of the most confusing pieces of a mortgage. Though they’re not always required, I believe they’re one of the most beneficial tools a person can have in their financial tool box. Once you understand what it is and how it works, it’s easy to see the benefits…
Read MoreThe truth about mortgage myths and misconceptions
The home buying process can be overwhelming, especially when you’re looking to finance your purchase with a mortgage. It’s important to not only understand the mortgage process but to be aware of potential myths and misconceptions that exist. Myth 1: Being pre-approved guarantees you’ll get a home loan Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a…
Read MoreLimited Housing Market
Today’s housing market is great for sellers, but challenging for buyers. With the limited amount of housing inventory many buyers are stuck in limbo trying to navigate a fast paced offering period in hopes they are the first to the table. When you find yourself in this situation there are a few things you should…
Read MoreMaking an additional payment
Obtaining a mortgage loan can be an overwhelming process. Sometimes, the thought of having a loan against your home for 30 years seems like an eternity. To help reduce that stress, there is an option to consider; make one additional principal and interest payment to your mortgage each year. By doing so you can cut…
Read MoreHome Improvements on a Budget
Home improvement projects sound fantastic until you start researching how much they are going to cost. The dollar signs start to add up and your interest in going through with the project begins to wane. An average bathroom remodel approaches $20,000, while a kitchen or master bedroom project will likely be much higher than that.…
Read MoreLandscaping Made Easy
Now that you are settled into your home, you may find yourself asking what you want to do with the yard. Do you want to plant a garden, trees or bushes? Maybe you want paver blocks, a deck or privacy fence. Whatever your design aesthetic, all of these questions or ideas will come into play.…
Read MoreSpring Cleaning
It’s officially spring but a little too chilly to start in on yard-work. I’ve recently learned there are a lot of people that have spring cleaning rituals. I don’t have a cleaning ritual but thinking it might be a good habit to get into. Who better to get spring cleaning tips from but the one…
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