Education Articles

What You Need to Know About Earthquake Insurance

As an independent agency, SELCO Insurance Services can help you find affordable earthquake insurance for peace of mind in the event of an earthquake damaging your home.

What Does ‘No Mortgage Insurance / No PMI’ Really Mean?

While "no PMI" or "no mortgage insurance" may sound enticing, there will always be higher costs for your mortgage if you're unable to make a down payment of 20%.

5 Reasons It’s a Better Time Than You Think to Buy a Home

Home prices and interest rates are bound to go down if I wait, right? It’s the question most first-time buyers are asking right now—and understandably so. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the answer is anything but straightforward. The question can be partially answered by the fact that Oregon's housing production shortage is among the worst in the natio...

How to Spot (and Stop) Mortgage Junk Mail

When you finalize the purchase of a home, your information becomes public record—and on comes the junk mail. The good news is there are ways to spot (and stop) mortgage junk mail.

10 Tips for Finding the Right Contractor

The pool of independent contractors is deep, so do your homework for a good fit. The time has come. You just can’t look at your outdated kitchen with mismatched appliances, countertops, and cabinets any longer. You’ve watched endless YouTube videos on kitchen remodels. Do you  hire a professional or do it yourself ? Will you need a  home equity...

Priced Out of An Upgrade? Elevated Home Values Mean You Have Options

The housing market continues to cool, slowly trending from a white-hot seller's market to a more neutral market. However, home values remain high across the United States, especially in Oregon. On the surface, this is great news for existing homeowners (who can argue with extra equity?). But if you also factor in high mortgage interest rates...

Understanding VA Loans

The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers many financial benefits to military veterans. One of the more significant benefits is a VA mortgage loan. How does a VA loan work? And how is it different from a conventional mortgage? At its base level, a VA loan allows veterans and their families to purchase a home at a lower interest rate...

Do It Yourself or Hire a Pro?

Many of us have been there: You stare at your old and tired tiled/carpeted floors and think, “I wonder if I could put in new hardwood floors.” Or maybe you’re house hunting and find THE ONE, but it could use a serious upgrade inside and out. Again, can you make any of those improvements yourself? (Side note:  Fall  or  winter  can be great times...

Knowing Your Home Improvement Options

As spring turns to summer, Oregon's natural beauty is in full view. Is it time to spruce up your home to match that splendor? Depending on the scope of the project, home improvements can be both time-consuming and costly. And many use their home’s equity to acquire the funds needed to complete the project. Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) ,...

Buying a Home During Winter

Spring and summer are the most popular seasons for house-hunting. But winter has its upsides. But that shouldn’t stop you from looking for your dream home as the temperatures drop. Though icy driveways and snowed-out open houses can be less than thrilling, there might be some surprising benefits to purchasing a home during the coldest time of...