The Upside Now

Ditch Your Rental
If you've found yourself browsing Zillow, you might be ready to ditch your rental! Whether you've been renting for years or just a few months; how are you suppose to know if it's time to become a homeowner? Today, I'm sharing 3 ways you KNOW it's time to ditch your rental for good!

What Credit Score Do You Need In 2020?
Raise your hand if credit scores are confusing! ✋ Credit score requirements change DAILY which means it's harder than ever to figure out what kind of credit score you need to be eligible for a loan. If you have questions about your credit score (don't we all), check out this week's video!

Market Update | What Does That Mean For You?
⚠️ Market Update! ⚠️ If you’re like most people, you may be wondering what-in-the-world is happening with mortgage interest rates. You’ve probably heard that the Fed Funds Rate was lowered last Sunday and I’m sure that left you with a TON of questions. I’m here to give you the answers you’ve been looking for, so you know exactly how this impacts you and your mortgage.

What Even IS Credit?
I think we can all agree that credit scores can be SUPER confusing. 😨 But, they’re also incredibly important when it comes time to purchase a home. 🏠 That’s why this week I’m sharing some quick tips that will help you improve your score! 📈

Getting Spring Ready!
Flowers, warmer temperatures, and sunny days! Spring has sprung! 🌷☀️ If you’re like me and you’re just now crawling out from underneath your cozy blankets and fuzzy socks, here are three quick tips so you can get Spring ready! ❄️ Spring is right around the corner but with these tips, you’ll be spring ready in no time!

An Attitude Of Gratitude
We’re all guilty of it: Dreading Monday morning, getting angry in traffic, and counting down the hours until the weekend.

I’ve Got Good News!
I’ve got GREAT news! 🎉 2020 is the perfect year to get into a new home! Low rates, higher loan limits, smaller down-payments; I must be dreaming! Check out this week’s video and find out why 2020 is going to be a home buyer’s dream!

My 2020 Plan!
We’ve all been there. We tell ourselves that THIS is the year we’ll finally kick that bad habit, hit the gym, and attend every event we’re invited too.

Are You Ready To Be A Landlord?
I can’t be the only one that watches one HGTV show and suddenly think I'm the next Joanna Gaines! 🤣Anyone else?

Take Back The Holidays
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! 🎄 🎁 Annnnd the busiest. Between family gatherings, Christmas shopping, office parties, AND taking care of the kiddos, it’s easy to forget to enjoy the holidays. 😰 Before the stress sets in, check out this week’s video to discover some helpful tips and take back the holiday season!

The Facts On Getting A Manufactured Home Loan
Are you looking for an affordable way to buy a home on land? A manufactured home may be the perfect fit! Join me for this week’s video to learn about the benefits of a manufactured home and how it might just be the perfect way to get out of the city.

Thanksgiving With The Hines Team
Thanksgiving is right around the corner and The Hines Team has a lot to be thankful for! 🦃 Celebrate Thanksgiving with us by watching this week’s video!

Down Payment Assistance: Fact or Fiction?
Has this happened to you? You’re excited to start the home buying journey and then you remember the one thing standing in your way; the down payment. 😭 Before you completely give up on a new home, we might have the answer you’re looking for! Join us for this week’s video to learn how down payment assistance could help you get one step closer to your new home! 🏠

Getting Fall Ready
Sweaters, football, and all things pumpkin spice! It’s fall y’all! We want you to be able to enjoy everything this season has to offer, so today we’re sharing our top three tips for getting fall ready!

Buying Rural? | USDA Home Loans
If you’d rather be surrounded by pastures than parking lots, a USDA Home Loan may be perfect for you! 🌾 Join me for this week’s episode where I’m talking about a lesser known loan option perfect for home-buyers looking to get out of the city!

You Found A Home - Now What?
So you just fell in love with a new home, if you’re like most homebuyers, trying to figure out the next step can be a little overwhelming. 🤔 But before you get overwhelmed, check out this week’s video where I’ll be sharing my tips on what to expect during the home loan process!

One of The Most Popular Loans Out There!
Conventional home loans are one of the most popular loan options, which means you’ve likely heard of them. But what exactly is a conventional home loan? Check out this week’s video where we’re answering that very question!

Serving Our Neighbor
Diapers are a necessity for parents and they are expensive! Lack of diapers is one of the leading causes of child abuse in our great state. There are currently no government programs that offer this type of assistance to those struggling families. The Caleb’s Cause Foundation is dedicated to providing diapers to those in need throughout our community. Meet Caleb, and see what he has to say about Serving Our Neighbor

HUD Loans | Answering All Your Questions
Haven’t heard of the HUD? There’s a lot of people who haven’t! Join us for this week’s video where we’ll be discussing the advantages of the Section 184 loan program and how to find out if you qualify!

How To Calendar Your Crazy Life | Part 3 Habits
Do you struggle with overcommitting? What about staying organized or forgetting things? I bet if you created habits to stay on top of everything, you’d feel less overwhelmed and life would be that much easier. Today I’m finishing up our series on “How to Calendar Your Crazy Life” with Habits and their importance!

The Benefits of the FHA Loan
Mortgage myth: There is no home loan available for people with low credit scores, less than stellar employment history, and a high debt-to-income ratio. Myth busted! The FHA loan caters to those in these exact scenarios! And, did I mention that Chris Hines happens to be an expert for all of them?

How To Calendar Your Crazy Life | Part 2, The “To-Do” List
The Hines Team is back with part 2 of our 3-part series “How To Calendar Your Crazy Life.” Today, we’re talking all about the “to-do” list. Whether in a notebook, calendar, or even your phone – there’s no wrong way to-do it!

VA Home Loans, Are YOU eligible?
Questions about VA home loans? Here’s a simple breakdown: VA home loans help servicemembers, veterans, and eligible surviving spouses become homeowners. There may be some confusion because of all the “red tape,” but my team and I are here to simplify the process. By the way, did you know The Hines Team has TWO veterans on our team who can assist with any questions you may have!?

How to Calendar Your Crazy Life, Part 1 “Saying No”
We are beginning a 3-part series on how to calendar your crazy life, I wanted to start with something I learned is crucial in time management: saying no 🚫. Saying “No” in an appropriate way to people, tasks, and errands is one of the most important skills we can develop in this increasingly busy world.

Strike While The Market is Hot
What’s the old saying? There’s no time like the present, right? This is especially true when deciding when to sell your home! And right now, there are new buyers entering the market every single day! This week I’m bringing you all the reasons you should be striking while the housing market is hot.

Our Must-Reads For 2019
What can reading do for you? More like, what can’t reading do for you! Reading can help with everything from reducing stress to transporting you to a different time and place! Whether you’re into personal development or tales of a WWII heroine, we’ve got you covered. Here are the books at the top of The Hines Team’s reading list for 2019.

The Upside Of A Down Payment
Looking for a new home, but stressed about the down payment? Well, don’t let a down payment get you down. Today, we’re bringing you the upside of a down payment. There are so many ways to make sure you have a down payment for your home. Take a few minutes to watch and learn about 10 + 1 ways you can get your down payment and achieve your goal of owning that new home you’ve got your eye on!

Vacationing The Hines Way
Want to know how we make vacation memories, not mistakes? Over the years we have learned a few tips and tricks that we live by when we vacation. We recently took our son, Caleb, to Hawaii and made sure we followed a few rules. Check out this week’s video on how you too, can vacation the “Hines Way.”

Pre-Qual & Pre-Approval. What’s The Difference?
Pre-qualified and pre-approved all in the same week? How is that possible? Watch this week’s video as we answer our #heyhines question and explain just how this can happen and what the difference is between the 2 of these very important steps in the mortgage process!

Buying. Selling. And An Easy Button.
Ever wish you had an easy button for those less than fun #adulting tasks we all have to take care of? You’re in luck! Today, I’m giving you your very own easy button. Buying and selling at the same time doesn’t have to feel like sitting in bumper to bumper traffic on the way to the OU/Texas game. Watch our Hines Team tips for buying and selling that will set you on the course for smooth sailing and quick closings.

2019 Sees Increasing Loan Limits
The Hines Team is back with another episode of The Upside Now! And we have some great news for the start of the year; you can qualify for more house in 2019 than you could in 2018! The Federal Housing Agency recently announced new loan amount limits for several loan programs, all of which went into effect at the start of this year!

New Year, New Goals, New Plans
It’s the New Year! 🎉 Many people around this time are thinking about their goals and resolutions, but what about a plan?

2019 Mortgage Rates
Remember the 80s? 👨🎤👩🎤 The 80s had some of the highest mortgage interest rates in history. Great news is that in 2019, the rates won’t be hitting 1980 levels anytime soon! In this video, Marcie will cover mortgage interest rates and something called “the cost of waiting” and how it impacts you in your home buying endeavors.

Morgtages, Step by Step!
You gotta start with the basics to go on the upside! Today, we’re doing a step-by-step guide to getting a mortgage and turning that dense, complicated process into an easy process for you! Plus, we’ll get some help from our Hines Extroverts and Hines Introverts! Be sure to tag #heyhines with your questions all things Hines and Home Loans. Thanks for watching, and see you soon!

Upside starts now!
Hey from the Hines team! We're introducing "The Upside Now," a show with informative (and hopefully entertaining!) updates on the mortgage industry and updates on the Hines Team! Stay tuned and be sure to check in with our new episode coming on the 28th of this month!