Mortgage insurance, which is usually applied to any home purchased with a low down payment, is one way that the FHA helps to manage the risks of the housing market. Recently, new FHA regulations for mortgage insurance rates and premiums went into effect. Alex Margulis, one of PERL’s top mortgage advisors, helps explain the basics of mortgage insurance and how the new regulations will affect the future state of the housing market.

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Retirement Planning for ages 55 and over: Planning for retirement is a primary goal for all Americans – and for those in the 55+ age range, the notion of planning for the future is becoming a fast reality. Bob Mecca, author and principal at Robert A. Mecca & Associates, joins Alex Margulis, Mortgage Advisor with PERL Mortgage, in the third in a series of podcasts about retirement planning.

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Retirement Planning for ages 36-55: Planning for retirement is a primary goal for all Americans – and for those in the 36-55 age range, the notion of planning for the future is becoming a fast reality. Bob Mecca, author and principal at Robert A. Mecca & Associates, joins Alex Margulis, Mortgage Advisor with PERL Mortgage, in the second in a series of podcasts about retirement planning.

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Financial Planning: Buying or refinancing a home loan is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make – and in the midst of shopping rates and getting pre-qualified for loans, people often overlook the advantages of incorporating long-range planning into the mortgage decision. Bob Mecca, author and Principal at Robert A. Mecca & Associates, and Alex Margulis, mortgage consultant with PERL Mortgage, talk about long-range financial advice and how it relates to the homebuying process.

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Appraisal Guidelines: Determining the appraised value of a home is one of the most important parts of the financial process. Since May 2009, appraisal guidelines and legislation defining relationships between lenders and appraisers has changed. Tom Oles of First Executive Appraisal Services joins PERL Mortgage Advisor Alex Margulis to discuss appraisals and their role in the lending process — and why adjacent condo units and buildings may vary greatly in appraised value.

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