Buy Your First Home Now

Mortgage rates remain historically low. At around 3.75% for a 30 year fixed mortgage, the  time has hardly been better than now to buy a home.  

Homes have begun to appreciate significantly in value in certain parts of the country. But, wherever you are, buy a home for the long term. Consider it a place in which to live, to enjoy, and to raise your family, not just for an investment. . 

Keep in mind with a thirty-year fixed rate mortgage, your monthly payments (with the exception of your property taxes and homeowners insurance)  are set for the duration no matter how high the interest rate may rise in the future. 

Now here's a mortgage calculated upon the current 30 year interest rate of 3.75%. See how much you will be paying for the next thirty years.  For example your monthly note for a $150,000, 4 bedroom house, with a 30 yr fixed rate of 3.75% and a FHA mortgage of 3% down would be roughly $674 per month. 

Now, consider just the financial savings between buying and renting. In many of the urban areas of this country, a 4-bedroom apartment would rent for over $2,000 per month with the rent subjected to increase every year. 

E-mail me at bwillbar@gmail.com and I'll send you a detailed home buying vs renting comparison. For a free consultation, call (773) 614-3201

Click here for a home that's for immediate sale in Chicago. All offers considered. 

Leave your comments below.

10 Inspirational Quotes for Father's Day

1. A fellow who does things that count doesn’t usually stop to count them.
2. A man must be big enough to admit his mistakes, smart enough to profit from them, and strong enough to correct them.
3. Don’t wait for your ship to come in if you haven’t sent one out.
4. The fellow who has an abundance of pull gets along very well without push.
5. Your mind can hold only one thought at a time, make it a positive and constructive one.
6. Many of life’s failures are men who do not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.
7. It’s a good idea to take an interest in the future – – that’s where you will spend the rest of your life.
8. The man is blest who does his best; do not worry.
9. There is no formula for success except, perhaps an unconditional acceptance of life and what it brings.
10. The man who gets ahead is a man who does more than is necessary and keeps on doing it.

      What do you think? Leave your comments below?

Aging into Medicare? Here's What You Need to Know

Are you Aging in to Medicare?


Learn about Medicare and the choices you have.


If you are already receiving Social Security, when you turning 65, you will be automatically enrolled in Medicare Part A which covers hospitalizations, blood transfusions during hospitalization, home health care, hospice care, and stays in skilled nursing facilities.


If not, go to the Medicare web site or visit your local Social Security office either three months before your birthday month, on your birthday month, or no later than three months after your birthday month. This is your eligibility window.


With regards to Medicare Part B, if you don't sign up during your eligibility window, but then decide to enroll later, your premium goes up 10% for each 12 month period. As an example, if you wait five years to sign up, your premium would then be 50% higher than someone who signed up on time.

Remember that Part B which pays 80% of doctors, supplies, outpatient services, physical or speech therapy does not have a cap after the 80% is paid by Medicare. At this point, most people would buy a separate private Medicare Supplement plan, often referred to as a Medigap plan, which picks up where Medicare leaves off.


Medicare Advantage - Part C
If you are all right with managed care and visiting doctors within the plan's network, a Medicare Advantage Plan may work for you. However, if you want some flexibility, you travel a lot, or you spend your time between two homes, Original Medicare plus a Medicare Supplement Plan and a Part D Prescription Drug Plan is usually a better choice.


If you have health insurance through your work or your spouse's work, you can delay enrolling in part B. But if your employer has fewer than 20 workers or if you are on a company retirement plan, you must enroll in Part B as soon as you turn 65. Your workplace or retiree plan will become your secondary plan. 

You also have an option of choosing Part C, which is commonly known as Medicare Advantage. This is a managed care type plan which covers all your benefits under Part A and Part B, and often will cover your Part D Prescription benefit and may include dental and vision care.

Nevertheless, before deciding on a Prescription Drug Plan, make a list of the medications you are taking, check to see if they are covered under the plan you are considering. If and when you enroll, you will pay a regular plan premium which varies according to coverage. 

You will need to check your Part D Plan every year because the list of covered drugs can change.