Frontier Mortgage

Do These Things Before Starting Your Search for a Des Moines Home

Sun, 31 May 2026 07:11:00 -0500

There are a few things you should know before you get started searching for your new Des Moines home. Whether this is your first time buying a home or you’ve been through the process before, it’s equally important to get clear on these things before you start browsing through listings. Knowing these things in advance will save you time, and maybe money, but it will also make the homebuying experience less stressful. Here’s what you need to know:

Your Budget

The loan amount you were pre-approved for isn’t necessarily what you should spend. Knowing how much you can spend isn’t the same as knowing how much you should spend. Thinking about your monthly bills currently will give you a clearer picture of what you can actually afford. When you have an absolute maximum designated in advance, you won’t waste time looking at houses out of your range; which keeps you from being tempted to buy something that might put you in a tough financial position in the future.

Your Ideal Location

Know where you want to live. When you define your ideal areas, you make it easier for both yourself and your Realtor to begin the search. When you can focus your search on your top locations, you can avoid unnecessary viewings and time wasted. Come up with a list of locations, and then prioritize them.

Your Must-Haves

What do you have to have in a home? Setting clear parameters will also help you in your search. These are the non-negotiables: Like number of bedrooms, number of bathrooms, for example. Think about your plans for the next 5 years, and factor those into your must-haves. If your list is too long, though, it could complicate your search — so, it’s important to be realistic and stick to the essentials. Start with the things a home needs to have to work for you, and it will help you (and your agent) concentrate on the properties that are the best fit.

Your Wants

Your list of wants can be considerably longer than your list of needs. Designate the things that you’d love to have, but aren’t necessities. Then, when a listing ticks all the boxes for your must-haves, and also has some of your wants, you know it’s worth of your attention.

These are all simple things, but very important to know before getting started. When you start your search in the right way, you’ll save time, and the search will be smoother and less stressful.

If you'd like to get pre-approved for a mortgage, or you need an introduction to an experienced, local Realtor, please reach out to us. We're always happy to help.

Preparing Your Chicago Home to Put On the Market

Sun, 31 May 2026 07:03:00 -0500

If you’re ready to sell your Chicago home, there are some important areas to focus on that can help you catch buyers’ attention. Whether you’re looking to make a few DIY updates, invest in a bit of staging, or undertake some larger renovation, here are a few areas you might consider if you’re hoping to sell your Chicago home soon:

Home Office

No surprise here. A home office has certainly moved up the list of buyers’ lists of wants. If you already have a designated home office, ensure that it’s tidy, bright, and inviting. If you don’t, getting creative could give your home an edge. Perhaps you turn a bedroom into a partial office, showing how it could function as both a guest room and home office in one. If you’re really limited on space, perhaps you clearly designate a section of your living room. Maybe you repurpose your dining room. Of course, it will depend on the house. This likely won’t require any major renovations. It’s more about highlighting the potential for a great home office to help buyers see the opportunity.

Outdoor Space

With outdoor gatherings always popular in the warmer months, patios, decks, and other outdoor areas are also a big plus for many prospective buyers. Sprucing up the space that you do have or putting in some work to create one could make your home more appealing. Again, this doesn’t mean investing thousands of dollars in a brand new patio. Work with what you have. A few pieces of outdoor furniture in the backyard can make for a great outdoor space when done right. Add some colorful cushions, twinkle lights, or a fire pit to really pull it together.

Multi-Functional Family Space

You may need a living room that functions as a yoga studio, or a backyard that function as a getaway. Showcasing the potential of your home to be adaptable is great. Keeping things neat and free of clutter is a good first step. And staging in a way that demonstrates multiple possibilities can help potential buyers to imagine all their options.

Kitchen

With more people opting to cook in, kitchens are another area many potential buyers will be focusing on. If you are planning to invest in upgrades, kitchen appliances may be something you consider. If you’re looking for more DIY on-a-budget fixes, making your kitchen feel as spacious as possible can really help. Clear off counters, organize your pantry and cupboards, or maybe even add some shelving to take advantage of the vertical space. Even if you have a small kitchen, highlighting its practicality is key.

If you’d like a recommendation for an experienced, local Realtor, or if you need to get pre-approved for a mortgage, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.

How to Know When it's Time to Upsize Your St. Louis Home

Sun, 31 May 2026 06:54:00 -0500

Maybe the family is growing or perhaps the house is just beginning to feel a bit small. Whatever the case, many of us eventually need more space. If you think it may be time to upsize into a larger St. Louis home, here are a few things to consider:

What’s Your Five-Year Plan?

Do you anticipate the family unit expanding in the next 5 years? And if so, are there enough rooms to accommodate everyone comfortably? A growing family is among the main reasons people choose to move into a larger home. Alternatively, it might feel that the house is full of your teenagers’ things, and that can make the space seem smaller. But if that’s the case, it may not be wisest to elect for more space when they might be in college or out on their own soon. Assess the future before making any decisions.

What Do You Love About Your Current Home?

Apart from it feeling a bit too small, think about the things you love about your current house. If it’s in the perfect location or has charm that will be tough to replicate elsewhere, you may want to pause and reflect. That’s not saying you shouldn’t move; it’s just worth factoring an upgrade in size against the uniqueness you really love about your house. Conversely, if there are some things in the current house that don’t work for you — maybe the layout isn’t optimal, or the commute to work is longer than you’d like — those might be enough to tip the scale.

Do You Really Need a Bigger House?

When most people consider moving into a larger home, they’ll tell you that they need more space. And if you’re trying to accommodate a growing family, that’s a valid concern. If it you just can’t find a place to store everything, you may be able to remedy that without having to move. Determine if you truly need more square footage, or if you just need to figure out how to maximize your storage.

What’s Going to Change?

A larger home brings with it more maintenance requirements. The amount of time you spend week-to week on things like vacuuming, dusting, and yard work, may increase considerably. You might also find that your expenses, like heating and cooling for instance, go up. If you truly need more space, then that’s a trade-off that can be managed. It’s important to consider all of the implications in advance.

It’s important to weigh several factors before making the jump to a bigger house. You may need that extra space, and you may just need to make a few adjustments to be comfortable in your current place.

If you’d like to get pre-approved for a mortgage, you can do that here. We would also be happy to recommend some experienced, local Realtors to help you in the homebuying process. Just reach out to us — you can find all of our contact information at https://www.frontierhomemortgage.com/contact-us/

What to Expect when Getting a Mortgage in Des Moines

Wed, 13 May 2026 03:30:00 -0500

Are you looking at buying a new home in Des Moines? If so, you’ll likely need to take out a mortgage loan. Homebuying can be an intimidating process, especially if it’s your first time... so you may be wondering what steps are involved in the mortgage process. Don’t worry! We’ve broken it down into an easy-to-follow guide so that you can get your dream home without breaking a sweat:

First Steps Before Applying for Your Mortgage

Before you even start considering applying for a mortgage loan, there are some basic things you should do. First and foremost, take a look at your credit score to make sure that it is where it needs to be. Generally speaking, lenders prefer working with borrowers who have scores of at least 620 or higher. It’s also wise to start saving up money quickly so that you have enough cash on hand for your down payment and closing costs associated with purchasing a house. Next, speak with a few lenders (or just one lender if they offer multiple options) and determine which loan products are available in Des Moines and which ones best fit your financial situation. This is also the perfect opportunity to ask questions about interest rates and loan terms, so don’t hesitate to ask away. Once you’ve selected the right lender for you, it’s time to go to the next step in the process: applying for your loan.

Applying For Your Mortgage Loan

When applying for your mortgage loan, be sure to have all the necessary documentation handy. The lender will need proof of income and other financial records such as tax returns, W2 forms, or bank account statements. You’ll also need proof of employment, like an offer letter or pay stubs from your current employer(s). Last but not least is your credit report; having this handy will help speed up the application process significantly, since lenders will use this information when assessing your risk level and determining interest rates. This part of the process usually takes 2-4 weeks, depending on how long it takes for your lender to assess all the paperwork you’ve provided. Once everything is approved, you’ll receive a commitment letter from the lender outlining the interest rate, the repayment schedule, and all the other terms and conditions of the loan. Then comes the last step: closing day.

Closing Day and Moving In

On closing day (also known as settlement day), both the home buyers and the sellers meet at a bank or attorney’s office, where the final documents related to the sale of the property are signed off by both parties and any other people involved (like the real estate agents). After signing all the paperwork and paying any applicable fees, title transfer will occur — meaning ownership has officially been transferred from seller to buyer. Congratulations! Now comes the most enjoyable and rewarding part of the whole process: moving into your new home.

Getting a mortgage loan doesn’t need to be daunting or overwhelming; this step-by-step explanation will help you feel confident knowing that you are prepared for each stage in the process. Best wishes on finding your dream home in Iowa’s capital city.

If you’d like to get pre-approved for a mortgage, or if we can recommend some experienced local Realtors to help you get started hunting for a new home, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.

Choosing the Best Contractor for Your Chicago Home Remodel

Wed, 13 May 2026 03:23:00 -0500

However extensive your remodeling plans are, you can’t afford to hire the wrong Chicago contractor for the job. Choosing poorly can lead to greater expenses, more time for completion, and assorted other issues. Here are some ideas to find a reputable, capable professional that will do what you expect them to:

Ask Your Family and Friends

This is the easiest way to find someone reputable — ask the people you trust for a recommendation. People are generally happy to share their experiences, especially if they’ve left a very good (or very bad) impression. Make a list of the contractors that were enthusiastically recommended, and a list of contractors that you were instructed to avoid. Reach out to your friends and family directly, and you can even make a Facebook post to get feedback from your larger network of acquaintances.

Do Your Research

Even if you found some recommended pros from asking around, it’s still important to do additional research on them. Look for a modern website and online reviews. But don’t let one or two negative reviews outweigh 60 good ones. If you see a high percentage of poor reviews, you should probably take them off your list.

Set Clear Expectations

Before approaching a contractor, you should have a very clear idea of what you want. Decide on the scope of work and your budget in advance. You can still be open to advice, but there will be less of a chance that you get sent in a direction you hadn’t intended. Again, if you start with someone you trust, you won’t have to always be on guard worried about being taken advantage of. Allow them to advise you, but having clear expectations set before you approach them helps keep you in control.

Explore All of Your Options

Don’t make a decision after getting one quote, no matter how well the conversation went. Get bids from several contractors, review all the materials, and then make a final decision on who’s right for the job. Once you’ve factored-in price, trustworthiness, and your level of confidence in their abilities for each prospective contractor, you’ll be in a much better place to make a confident decision. Also, letting a contractor know that you’re getting multiple bids usually results in them quoting you their best price.

Spending some time vetting the contractors you’re considering using for your remodeling job can save you from a stressful experience.

If you’d like some recommendations for experienced, local contractors, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.

How Should Young Families Prepare Before Buying Their First St. Louis Home

Wed, 13 May 2026 03:13:00 -0500

Understanding your needs before beginning the homebuying process is important. Especially if you have younger children (or plan to have children). The more aware you are of what you’ll need in the years to come, the better you can make decisions that will support those needs. Here are a few important things young families should consider before buying their first St. Louis home:

Take a Homeowner Education Class

The more informed you are, the smoother the homebuying process tends to go. Particularly in the case of how buying a home will impact your family, you want to get as much information as you can ahead of time. Taking a course (they’re often free) will give you an overview of what to expect and help you prepare ahead of time for the many stages involved in buying a home.

Be Realistic About Finances

Young families often have many new expenses. It’s important to take some time to assess these expenses and any future expenses — including things like childcare and extracurricular activities. Creating a budget for your family is different than creating a budget for yourself, and younger families who give this adequate attention in advance, will be in a better position to manage all of their expenses as the family grows. You want to have a strong sense of where you’re at, so that you know what you can afford going forward.

Clarify Your Needs

Young families often decide to buy a home to meet the many needs of their family. So, it’s essential to be clear on these needs and prioritize the most important ones. Otherwise, the house-hunting process can be overwhelming. Is finding the perfect neighborhood for your kids high on the list? Maybe somewhere with great schools? Perhaps you want to be close to relatives. How many bedrooms do you need now? How many might you need in 5 years? Need a playroom? A backyard? Make sure you know the difference between your wants and needs. Understanding your must-haves will ensure you take the right steps as you move forward.

Look Ahead

I mentioned this briefly above, but the topic deserves more space. Your family’s needs may change significantly over time, and you want to choose a house that can grow with you. Are you anticipating more children in the future? You’ll want to consider that when it comes to space, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms. Perhaps you have a baby now, but how much space will a five-year-old child require? Looking ahead to the ways in which your family may change is important when making a decision that fits in the long term.

For any homebuyer, preparation is the key to success. And this is particularly true for young families. If you want a smooth process that leads you to a decision you feel confident about, getting started on these things ahead of time is the best strategy.

Is a 20% Down Payment Necessary to Buy a Des Moines Home?

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:32:00 -0500

Are you planning to buy a new home in Des Moines, but worried that saving up for a 20% down payment seems impossible? You’re not alone. Many first-time homebuyers struggle to save enough for a traditional down payment. But here’s some good news: you may not need to put down 20% to buy a home. Let’s explore some other options that may help you buy, even if you don’t have a hefty chunk of money in the bank.

It is important to keep in mind that a down payment is just one piece of the home purchasing puzzle. You will also need cash on hand for closing costs, home inspections, appraisals, and other expenses that pop up. But these financial hurdles don’t have to stop you! You’ll likely still need a bit of savings, but programs exist to help responsible buyers with limited funds – especially when it comes to the down payment.

Explore Low Down Payment Mortgage Options

Conventional 97 mortgages allow down payments as low as 3%. You will need to pay private mortgage insurance to protect the lender, but this additional monthly fee has a tradeoff because you only need to tie up a fraction of your savings for the down payment. This leaves more cash free for closing, moving, and other unexpected costs. Of course, you will want to carefully compare interest rates and terms to find the best Conventional 97 loan that works for you.

The Federal Housing Administration secures FHA loans, so they represent less risk for lenders. They require only 3.5% down for credit scores starting at 580. FHA loans also offer competitive interest rates and low mortgage insurance. First-time homebuyers often choose FHA loans because they offer affordable home financing. Again, though, make sure to shop around to get the best deal.

If you are a military service-member or veteran, you may be eligible for a VA loan with zero down payment! These special mortgages are guaranteed by the Department of Veterans Affairs. Qualified veterans and active duty personnel pay no down payment or monthly mortgage insurance. A VA loan can only be used on your primary residence, and they do have loan limits based on local home prices. But they provide an incredible opportunity for the heroes who serve our country to find a place to hang their uniform!

Tap into Down Payment Assistance Programs

At one time, a 20% down payment was the gold standard for securing a mortgage. But today’s market offers more flexibility. If you save a bit of money regularly and diligently, you’ll soon have enough for a small down payment; and as we have seen in this article, there are other ways to fill the remaining gap or even eliminate a down payment entirely. So don't let down payment fears deter you from making your Des Moines homeownership dreams come true!

If you’d like to get preapproved for a mortgage, so you know what your options are, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.

Are You in the Right Financial Position to Buy a Chicago Home?

Tue, 28 Apr 2026 07:26:00 -0500

If you’re planning on buying a Chicago home, the sooner you begin preparing, the better. The better prepared you are, the smoother the process will go. Buying a home is a major financial decision, but there’s much more to it than the price of the house you choose. We’ve put together a list of the other costs you may be expected to cover:

Agent Fee

It’s no surprise that Realtors work on commission, and if you use one, they will let you know up front what their fee is. It’s usually based on the price of the home you buy.

Loan Origination Fee

If you’re using a mortgage loan to pay for the property, then you’ll also be responsible for paying a fee to your lender to cover their costs. The amount will usually be dependent on both the lender you use and the amount of your loan. Like Realtors, lenders will tell you their fee up front.

Good Faith Deposit

This is a security deposit that demonstrates your intent to purchase the house and is applied to your down payment. It’s held in escrow by the title company until the transaction is complete. The check won’t be cashed right away, so you’ll want to prepare your finances accordingly, and keep in mind that it will be deposited at the close of the transaction.

Down Payment

This may be the most familiar of all the costs associated with homebuying. It will depend on several factors, including the home you purchase the home’s location, and the loan option you select. Keep in mind that some of the lower down-payment options require mortgage insurance, which could impact your monthly payments.

Home Inspection

Some lenders require you to have a home inspection. Whether it’s a requirement for you or not, you should always have an inspection performed by an experienced professional when your offer is accepted. You’ll have options when scheduling an inspection, and some are more thorough than others. The more thorough the inspection, the more costly it will be. An in-depth inspection can save you from unexpected expenses later on, so consider it an investment in your future.

Closing Costs

The Closing costs will be disclosed early on in the buying process, and your lender will help you calculate them. This covers things like the lender fee (different from the origination fee), the appraisal fee, title or attorney fees, escrow fees, and prorated interest. It’s common for homebuyers to spend several thousand dollars on these, so you’ll want to learn about them very early on.

Insurance Fees

Requirements will differ depending on the home you buy, but you’ll want to consider title insurance, homeowners insurance, and maybe separate flood insurance. These aren’t large costs generally, but you’ll want to be aware of them in advance and factor them into your budget.

Taxes

Property tax can be one of the more considerable expenses that comes with homeownership. They can also adjust over time, with things like renovations causing them to increase.

This checklist will give you a better idea of what to expect when you buy a home. If you prepare in advance, you’ll avoid any surprises and be in better control of your finances.

If you’d like a recommendation for a seasoned, local Realtor, or if you need to get preapproved for a mortgage, please reach out to us. We’re always happy to help.