The EB-2 visa is a conveted second-preference employment-based immigrant visa for foreign nationals with advanced degrees or exceptional ability. The application process involves several steps and requires careful preparation. Here is a detailed guide on how to apply for an EB-2 visa: Step 1: Determine Eligibility Before applying, it’s essential to determine if you meet the eligibility requirements for an EB-2 visa. You may qualify under two subcategories: Advanced Degree: You must possess a master’s degree or higher (or a bachelor’s degree plus five years of progressive experience) in a field related to the proposed employment. Exceptional Ability: You must demonstrate exceptional ability in the sciences, arts, or business through extensive documentation and expert testimonials. Step 2: Obtain a Labor Certification (PERM) The employer must obtain a certified Labor Certification (PERM) from the U.S. Department of Labor. This process involves several steps: Recruitment: The employer must conduct a series of recruitment efforts to prove that there are no qualified U.S. workers available for the job. Prevailing Wage: Determine the prevailing wage for the position and file a PERM application. Certification: Once approved, the employer will receive a certified Labor Certification. Step 3: File Form I-140 The employer sponsors the EB-2 visa by filing Form I-140, Immigrant Petition for Alien Worker, with supporting documents and the approved Labor Certification. Step 4: File Form I-485 (Adjustment of Status) or Go Through Consular Processing If the applicant is already in the United States, they can file Form I-485, Adjustment of Status, to apply for a Green Card. Otherwise, they will need to go through consular processing at a U.S. embassy or consulate abroad. Documentation and Interview The applicant must provide extensive documentation, including passports, birth certificates, and proof of education and experience. An interview may be required at a U.S. embassy or consulate, or with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) for Adjustment of Status. Conclusion The EB-2 visa application process is complex and requires careful preparation. Applicants should ensure they meet eligibility requirements, obtain the necessary certifications and documents, and file the appropriate forms. It’s recommended to seek guidance from an experienced immigration attorney to ensure a smooth and successful application process.
The recent lawsuit filed against the National Association of Realtors (NAR) has the potential to significantly impact the real estate market. The lawsuit challenges NAR’s rules and policies related to commission structures and multiple listing services (MLSs). If the lawsuit is successful, it could lead to changes in the way real estate agents and brokers operate, potentially disrupting the traditional real estate model. One potential outcome of the lawsuit is the removal of restrictions on commission splits, allowing real estate agents to negotiate their own commission rates with clients. This could lead to increased competition among agents and potentially lower commissions for consumers. Additionally, changes to MLS policies could allow for greater transparency and access to real estate data, potentially disrupting the traditional MLS system. At Pilgrims Mortgage, we understand the importance of supporting our realtor partners during this time of change. We are committed to providing education and resources to help our partners navigate any potential changes in the industry. Our team is dedicated to staying up-to-date on the latest developments in the lawsuit and its potential impact on the real estate market. We are here to help our realtor partners adapt to any changes that may come their way. Whether it’s providing guidance on new commission structures or helping to interpret changes to MLS policies, we are committed to supporting our partners every step of the way. Our goal is to ensure that our partners are equipped to continue providing exceptional service to their clients, even in the face of industry disruption. In conclusion, the NAR (National Association of Realtors) lawsuit. Has the potential to significantly impact the real estate market and the way real estate agents and brokers operate. At Pilgrims Mortgage, we are dedicated to supporting our realtor partners navigate this time of change and are committed to providing the resources and education needed to succeed in a potentially changing industry.
Real Estate in the USA without Social Security. The United States has long been a beacon of hope and opportunity for individuals from around the world. One of the key aspects of the American Dream is owning real estate property, but many assume that this is only possible for US citizens or those with social security cards. However, Pilgrims Mortgage has made it possible for non-citizens to achieve this dream through the use of Individual Tax Identification Numbers (ITIN). ITIN: A Key to Financing Real Estate The IRS issues ITINs for tax purposes, and while they do not offer the same benefits as social security cards, they do enable individuals to open credit lines and build credit. This opens up opportunities for non-citizens to apply for mortgages and purchase real estate property in the US. Pilgrims Mortgage has guided numerous individuals through this process, helping them achieve their dream of owning property in the US. Tailoring Mortgage Loans for Non-Citizens Real Estate in the USA without Social Security. At Pilgrims Mortgage, we understand that every individual’s financial situation is unique. That’s why we offer customized mortgage loans tailored to each person’s needs. Our team works closely with non-citizen applicants to ensure they receive the best possible financing options. We believe that owning real estate in the US should not be limited to citizens only, and we strive to make this dream accessible to all. An Immigrant’s Understanding and Appreciation Pilgrims Mortgage was founded by an immigrant who understands firsthand the challenges and opportunities that come with starting a new life in the US. We appreciate the value of hard work, dedication, and the desire to contribute to this great nation. Our mission is to guide individuals towards a better future, and we take pride in helping non-citizens achieve their goals. Conclusion In conclusion, owning real estate property in the US is not exclusive to citizens or social security cardholders. With the ITIN, non-citizens can now finance their dream property and build a better future. Pilgrims Mortgage is dedicated to making this process accessible and streamlined, ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to prosper in the United States.
How do you select the members of your team who are going to help make your dream of owning a home a reality? What should you be looking for? How do you know if you’ve found the right agent or lender? The most important characteristic that you should be looking for in your agent is someone who is going to take the time to really educate you on the choices available to you and your ability to buy in today’s market. As the financial guru Dave Ramsey advises: “When getting help with money, whether it’s insurance, real estate or investments, you should always look for someone with the heart of a teacher, not the heart of a salesman.” Do your research. Ask your friends and family for recommendations of professionals they’ve worked with in the past and have had good experiences with. Look for members of your team who will be honest and trustworthy; after all, you will be trusting them to help you make one of the biggest financial decisions of your life. Whether this is your first or fifth time buying a home, you want to make sure that you have an agent who is going to have tough conversations with you, not just the easy ones. If your offer isn’t accepted by the seller, or they think that there may be something wrong with the home that you’ve fallen in love with, you would rather know what they think than make a costly mistake. According to the Home Buyer and Seller Generational Trends Report: “Buyers from all generations primarily wanted their agent’s help to find the right home to purchase. Buyers were also looking for help to negotiate the terms of sale and to help with price negotiations.” Additionally, “Help to understand the purchase process was most beneficial to buyers 37 years and younger at 75 percent.” Look for someone to invest in your family’s future with you. You want an agent who isn’t focused on the transaction but is instead focused on helping you understand the process while helping you find your dream home. Bottom Line In this world of Google searches, where it seems like all the answers are just a mouse click away, you need an agent who is going to educate you and share the information that you need to know before you even know you need it. Source: https://www.keepingcurrentmatters.com/2018/04/03/what-should-you-look-for-in-your-real-estate-team/
You took out a 30-year loan because it seemed like a good idea at the time. You wanted to keep your monthly payments as small as possible. That’s what many new homeowners do, especially if they’ve never had a mortgage before. To get Matched with a Lender, Click Here. Now that you are established in the home and have a grasp on your financial future, you want to know how you can pay that loan off faster. If 30 years seems too far off to own your home free and clear, use the following tips to pay your 30-year loan off faster. Make an Extra Payment Each Year If you can afford to make one extra lump sum payment each year, make it equal to your principal and interest payments. This way you make 13 mortgage payments per year rather than 12 payments. This one extra payment can knock a few years off your loan. It will also decrease the amount of interest you pay on the loan since you’ll pay the balance off faster. Make an Extra Payment Each Month If you would rather make smaller, extra payments, you can pay extra towards your principal each month. Let’s say you can afford an extra $100 each month. That would come out to an extra $1,200 each year towards your mortgage. While it doesn’t seem like a lot, after just five years, you would knock off $6,000. If you do this consistently, you may knock a few years off the term of your loan. Make Bi-Weekly Payments Some mortgage companies offer a service that helps you make bi-weekly payments. It’s not necessary to pay for that service, though; you can do it on your own. Simply take your full mortgage payment and divide it by 2. You then make that payment every other week. This is in place of your monthly mortgage payment. When you pay your mortgage every two weeks, you make 26 mortgage payments, which equal 13 months of payments. Without even realizing it, you just made one extra mortgage payment each year. This is possible because there are 52 weeks in a year, which translates into 13 months, but because some months have more than 4 weeks in them, you don’t make that 13th payment on a regular schedule. Apply Your Windfalls If you receive any type of lump sum money, such as tax refunds, work bonuses, or commissions, consider applying them to your mortgage. If it’s money you don’t count on for living expenses and truly is ‘extra money,’ you can use it to pay that 30-year mortgage down faster. Click to See the Latest Mortgage Rates. If your windfall is large enough, it could knock many years off your loan balance. Even if you don’t get large lump sum windfalls, but get several smaller ones, applying them towards your mortgage will help you reach your goal of paying the loan off faster. Make 15-Year Payments If you wish you had taken out a 15-year term rather than a 30-year term once you own the home, you can still get the benefit of the 15-year term. Using a mortgage calculator, determine the amount of your 15-year payment. You can then make that payment each month, applying the extra money towards the principal balance. The nice thing about making voluntary 15-year payments is that you can go back to the minimum 30-year required payment if the going gets tough. Let’s say you had to stop working for a few months because of an injury. You might want to cut back on your mortgage payment during that time. Since you didn’t officially refinance into a 30-year term, you can do this. If you had refinanced, though, you’d be stuck with the 15-year required payment. Combining Several Methods You can also take several of the above methods and combine them together to get your loan paid off the fastest. For example, if you receive tax refunds each year of several thousand dollars and you make one extra mortgage payment each year, you could knock many years off your loan. The quicker you pay the principal balance down, the less interest you pay, and the faster you own the home free and clear. The key to paying your mortgage off faster is consistency. Pick a method or method and stick with it. Of course, if it gets too hard to make the extra payments, you can cut back. But, if you are able to afford it, stay consistent. Also, don’t refinance your loan into another 30-year term. If you do choose to refinance, make sure the term is either equal to or less than the amount of time you have left on your current loan. Resetting your loan term back to 30 years would just start you back at square one, which is what you want to avoid. Source: https://www.blownmortgage.com/pay-off-30-year-mortgage-faster/
Do Your Research Before you even start talking to individual contractors, you should do your research behind the scenes. Use the internet to your advantage and see what others have to say about specific contractors. Use reputable sites, such as the Better Business Bureau to do this research so that you know what you are reading is legitimate. Ask for Credentials When you do start talking to contractors and determining if they will be a good fit for the job, ask for their credentials. It’s not enough for them to say they are licensed and insured, though. Ask them for proof of both. You want to see for yourself that they have the credentials necessary to do the job. Anyone can hang a shingle outside their home and claim they are a contractor, but only those that are truly contractors will be licensed and insured. Get Everything in Writing Don’t accept verbal estimates or promises to do the work. Everything must be in writing. You need a formal contract that dictates the scope of the work, how it will be done, when it will be done, and what it costs. Make sure your contract is properly broken down and doesn’t have just one lump sum fee listed. You need to know exactly how much each step costs and the approximate dates each step will be completed. If you don’t have it in writing, don’t expect it to be done. You can’t take a contractor to court on the basis that he told you something – if it’s in writing, though, it’s another story. Talk About Your Budget Don’t be shy about talking to contractors about your budget. The more honest you are upfront about what you can afford the more honest answers the contractor can provide you. If a contractor knows that your budget isn’t enough to cover the scope of the work you want done, he/she can tell you that. Click to See the Latest Mortgage Rates. If you don’t disclose your budget though, you could find yourself in over your head once the project starts. Letting the contractor know what you are working with will help him tailor his services to meet your budget. While you may have to cut out some things you wanted done, keeping it within your budget is the most important way to protect yourself financially. Have a Contingency Fund Even the best contractor cannot predict what will happen when he starts the job. If there are issues behind the walls, the contractor won’t know that until he breaks the walls down. If there’s more work that needs to be done, that means more money. If you set aside 10% – 15% of the cost of the work ahead of time, you can prevent yourself from getting financially overwhelmed when unexpected things do come up. Don’t Pay Large Deposits up Front If a contractor seems to be ‘all about the money,’ you may want to move on to another contractor. Typically, contractors will ask for a small deposit to ensure that you want the work done and to help them get the materials. Beyond that small deposit, though, contractors shouldn’t ask for too much upfront. If you find a contractor that wants half or even all of the cost of the work up front, walk the other way. These are usually scams. The contractors collect the funds and then leave town, never starting the work or ordering the materials for your project. Consult With an Attorney If you are having a large job done on your home, it’s not a bad idea to have an attorney look over your contract. While it’s another expense you’ll incur, it’s meant to protect you. The attorney can review the contract and let you know if he sees any issues or loopholes that could leave you with an unpleasant surprise when it’s all done. Take these tips to help protect you from a contractor that isn’t honest or doesn’t offer the quality work he claims to offer. The more steps you take to protect yourself, the happier you may be with the outcome of the renovations on your home. Source: https://www.blownmortgage.com/protect-hiring-contractor-home-renovation/