Mortgage

November 29, 2016Not all ski resorts shut down when the winter season ends. Quite a few stay open throughout the year, giving tourists something to do in the summer months and nearby communities a much-needed economic boost. In fact, in the state of Colorado alone, the ski industry brings in over $4 billion per year. If you’d… read more…

November 25, 2016A land loan is an option for prospective homeowners who want to buy a piece of land and then build their own home there. Land loans aren’t as common as mortgages, so you may have to shop around a bit to… read more…

November 24, 2016Virginia has a reputation for a well-educated population and a strong job market. This understandably makes it a fairly attractive state to make a move to. Of course, there’s more than one way of living a Virginia life. The state features both small towns and sizable cities, conservative communities and liberal ones. However, there are… read more…

November 21, 2016Don’t have enough cash for a down payment? If you can’t put at least 20% down on a house, you might have to pay for private mortgage insurance. Luckily, there are ways to get around that. One solution is to find out whether you qualify for lender-paid mortgage insurance. Depending on your arrangement, lender-paid mortgage… read more…

November 17, 2016People choose where to live based on a variety of factors. Although safety may not the number one concern for everyone, it is certainly a factor most people consider when deciding on a place to call home. People typically think of safety in terms of crime but other factors like bad air quality or the… read more…

November 16, 2016Much has been written about rent increases in America’s largest cities. Data from the U.S. Census Bureau shows that in cities like Boston, New York and San Francisco, rents have risen by 10-15% from 2012 to 2015. An interesting component of this discussion is the rise in incomes, as that often accompanies the rise in rent.… read more…

November 16, 2016According to most research, a pay gap exists between men and women in the U.S. The numbers vary but for the working population over age 15 nationwide that gap is around 28%, according to data from the U.S. Census Bureau. This means women make 72 cents on average for every dollar men do. And pay… read more…

November 11, 2016If you are thinking of moving to South Carolina, you are not alone. South Carolina enjoys a mild climate and is an affordable state, with some of the lowest property and gas taxes in the nation. The population of South… read more…

November 9, 2016Hosting a successful conference starts with choosing the right venue. But in order to decide where to hold your event, you’ll need to consider several factors. Will there be enough hotels available to accommodate your guests? Will the venue be close to local restaurants and bars? To answer these questions, SmartAsset ranked the best cities… read more…

November 8, 2016If you can afford to pay off your mortgage ahead of schedule, you’ll save some money on your loan’s interest. In fact, getting rid of your home loan just one or two years early could potentially save you hundreds or… read more…

November 3, 2016Unlike most of the U.S., Maine has had a fairly flat population in recent years. New residents are barely offsetting the residents the state loses each year, though the southern half of the state is growing more quickly than the north. If you’re going to make the move to Maine, there are a number of factors… read more…

November 2, 2016Some folks don’t like being stuck inside. They prefer to spend their free time participating in different outdoor activities, from cycling and backpacking to whitewater rafting. Finding a peaceful park or a quiet hiking trail can be a challenge, particularly when you live in a major metropolitan area. But in some cases you don’t have to… read more…

November 1, 2016The process of readjusting to civilian life can be difficult for many veterans. One survey from Pew Research Center found that 32% of veterans said they had a somewhat difficult time reacclimating to civilian life and 16% had a very… read more…

October 27, 2016Do you have Georgia on your mind? Ready to move to a state where the tea is sweet and the trees drip Spanish moss? With a population of over 10.8 million people and a growing political profile as a possible… read more…

October 25, 2016City dwellers can get pretty riled up when extolling the virtues of their chosen city. Just try talking to any New Yorker. But have you ever wondered how your city compares to others in practical factors like housing costs, crime and walkability? In other words, which cities in the United States are the most livable?… read more…

October 21, 2016Some praise globalization for opening borders and connecting cultures and politics. Others blame it for disrupting local economies and eliminating jobs. The fact is that globalization has been around since ancient times, and it is fully integrated into different aspects of… read more…

October 20, 2016Montana is known for its natural beauty. You may have seen scenes shot in Montana if you saw the films “A River Runs Through It” or “The Horse Whisperer.” Broad swathes of the Montana country is not just beautiful but empty. The state’s population density is the third lowest in the country, behind Alaska and… read more…

October 13, 2016According to U.S. Census data, Arizona is one of the fastest growing states in the U.S. From 2020 to 2021, its population rose to 7.28 million from 7.18 million, a 1.4% growth rate, which lagged only Texas and Florida. Are… read more…

October 12, 2016Ever wondered how trick-or-treating conditions in your neighborhood stack up against those in other cities? Should your neighbors give out more candy to your kids? Is your area as safe on Halloween night as it is across town? It’s hard to know for sure. That’s why we created a list of the best places to… read more…

October 6, 2016Almost 11 million people live in North Carolina, a fast-growing state with highly productive pockets such as the Research Triangle. The Tar Heel State combines natural beauty with technological innovation and a high quality of life. There are even a… read more…

October 5, 2016November is just around the corner, which means it’s almost time for Americans to go out and vote. However, there is wide disparity in voter turnout across the 50 states. In 2014, some states had as little as 33% voter participation while others had as high as 61%. Voting is really a two-step process: first… read more…

September 29, 2016Oregon’s population hit the 4.25 million mark in 2022. According to the Census Bureau, the state’s population grew by 10.6% between 2010 and 2020. This is faster than the nation’s growth rate of 7.4%. If you’re thinking about moving to… read more…

September 27, 2016Don’t sleep on minor league baseball. Even some of the worst teams in the league manage to attract thousands of fans each season. Besides being able to find super-cheap tickets, the folks who attend minor league games get to root for teams with interesting names and wacky uniforms. To honor this sport’s die-hard fans, SmartAsset ranked… read more…

September 22, 2016Texas boasts impressive job growth, diverse cities and energy boomtowns. Add the rich culture and the relatively affordable housing and it’s no wonder people are flocking to the Lone Star State. The best financial firms in Texas will also have plenty of guidance to offer you. And if you’re looking for an advisor specifically tailored… read more…

September 21, 2016Ever since Samuel Slater brought the secrets of the English textile industry to America, manufacturing has been a big part of the American economy. From the New England textile mills to Pittsburgh’s steel and Detroit’s automobiles, manufacturing has long been a source of employment for American workers. But for a variety of reasons America is not… read more…