- America’s Urban Jungles Breed Diverse Real Estate Climates
A well-known real estate truism is that housing prices in America’s biggest cities are much higher than the national average. New Yorkers, for example, often complain that thousands of dollars a month in rent only gets them a tiny one-bedroom apartment, especially in Manhattan, and one might assume that’s the case for every major metropolitan… read more…
- What Is Single-Payment Mortgage Insurance?
If you buy a house with less than a 20% down payment, and finance it with a conventional loan, you are going to have to pay private mortgage insurance. PMI protects the lender against the possibility of a default. It does not protect you, the buyer, but it does give you the benefit of buying a… read more…
- All About FHA Purchase Loans
The most common way to finance a home purchase for first time buyers is with a loan through the Federal Housing Administration (FHA). The 3.5% down payment required by FHA is the lowest down payment option in the marketplace available to the population at large. (Zero down payment loans are only available to veterans and… read more…
- What Is the Typical Down Payment on a Home Purchase?
Most people have to borrow money in order to afford a house. No matter how big your mortgage is, though, you generally need to have at least some cash on hand for the down payment. Historically the rule was that homebuyers… read more…
- The Costs and Benefits of Refinancing
If you’re looking for a way to lower your mortgage payments or get your home loan paid off faster, refinancing may be a good option. Refinancing involves swapping your existing mortgage for a new one with more favorable terms. There are a number of advantages to refinancing, but the process isn’t without certain drawbacks –… read more…
- Veterans Home Buying Guide
Tools & Calculators Getting Started With VA Loans All About VA Loans Eligibility & Forms
- 7 Signs You Are a Renter for Life
We’ve all heard that owning a home is the American dream, but boy has that dream gotten expensive. Real estate is making a furious comeback after the recent housing collapse and prices are up 20-50% in most major markets across… read more…
- FHA Streamline Refinance: Is It Right for You?
Between the paperwork, fees and seemingly endless phone calls to your lender, refinancing your home can be a major headache. If your mortgage loan is insured by the Federal Housing Administration, you may be able to avoid some of the… read more…
- Relying on an FHA Loan? Sellers May Not Be Thrilled
Mortgage loans insured by the Federal Housing Administration, better known as FHA loans, have become increasingly popular tools for home buyers. Sellers are not always as thrilled with the product because the borrowers of these loans can often bring risk to getting the transaction closed. Determining if it is a good financial tool for you might… read more…
- How to Buy a House With Bad Credit
Even if you have a credit score as low as 580, you can qualify for plenty of first-time home buyer programs and government-backed mortgages designed for homeowners who have trouble securing a conventional mortgage. But there are also several ways… read more…
- The Tax Advantage of Making an Extra Mortgage Payment
If you have a mortgage loan, you are well aware of the tax deduction you get each year for the interest. Once per year, all that interest you pay to your bank gives you a benefit as well. By strategizing… read more…
- Why You Shouldn’t Count on Your Home Equity for Retirement
Many of us have been taught to look at the purchase of a home as a good investment. When we purchase a home, we are investing in a neighborhood, a school system, and hopefully a safe community to raise our families and spend a large portion of our lives. Buying a home is also a… read more…
- Should I Get Prequalified or Preapproved for a Mortgage?
Despite sounding identical, a prequalified mortgage is not the same as a preapproved mortgage. Prequalification is generally a quick, free process where a bank takes your financial information and lets you know generally what your loan will look like. Preapproval… read more…
- Low Down Payment Mortgage Options
The days are long gone when you could buy a house without spending any money out of pocket. Lenders and regulators have determined that potential home buyers need to demonstrate some savings ability prior to taking on a mortgage for a home. Even the unexpected and regular maintenance that arises from owning a home can… read more…
- So, You Want to Invest in Real Estate…
Despite the extreme ups and downs of the last decade, savvy investors know that real estate can be one of the best ways to put your money to work for you. Investors were the first buyers to return in force to the housing market after the big crash. Seeing the opportunity to make a profit,… read more…
- The Hidden Costs of Downsizing Your Home
With shrinking savings, and retirement incomes failing to keep pace with inflation, older Americans are looking for alternative ways to save money and increase their cash flow. In many cases, they are also looking for ways to simplify their lives.… read more…
- 5 Cheap and Easy Ways to Boost Your Home’s Value
If you’re planning to put your home on the market, it pays to make sure you’re maximizing your equity. Taking on a large-scale remodeling project can boost your home’s value and make it more appealing to buyers but it can also break the bank if you’re not careful. Instead of spending thousands on major home… read more…
- When to Leverage a 401(k) for a Home Down Payment
Wondering where to get the money to make a down payment on a new home? As home prices quickly increase, the amount to make an optimal 20 percent down payment also increases. Meanwhile, you may already have a substantial nest egg… read more…
- 5 Reasons Not to Refinance Your Mortgage
Home mortgage rates have been rising, though as of April 2022 they were low in comparison to historical levels. Deciding to refinance can potentially save you some money. However, just because mortgage rates may be lower than when you financed your residence… read more…
- Are You Paying Too Much? How to Lower Your Property Tax
As a homeowner, the one thing I dread the most each year is my property tax bill. Even though we currently rent our place now, we still have our old house as an income property. The tax bill still comes each year. Over time our taxes have crept up little by little even though our… read more…
- 9 Books to Read Before Buying Your First Home
Buying your first home will be the biggest decisions you’ll make in both your personal financial lives. In fact, it ranks as one of the hardest, most frightening, long-term commitments you’ll ever undertake. It can become especially daunting if you don’t educate yourself before putting pen to paper on a mortgage contract. But if you take… read more…
- Should First-Time Homebuyers Build Their New Homes?
Americans are very keen on having the newest thing whether that is a car, following a fad or even buying a house. Many people believe that the American dream is to build their own house one day. What if you… read more…
- The 50 Worst Charities in America
In the wake of tragedies large and small, they pop up like mushrooms after a rain. With tales of woe and heartbreaking images of children or helpless animals, they beg for assistance. They are the tragi-charities. One hit wonders seeking… read more…
- What Type of Real Estate Agent Do You Need?
When buying property, the most important decision you make may very well be who you hire to represent you — and there are a number of types of real estate professionals you may want to consider. Having an experienced real… read more…
- 5 Questions to Ask When Hiring a Real Estate Attorney
When it comes to buying and selling real estate, there are certain situations where it helps to have a qualified legal professional on your side. If you’re looking to get into real estate investing, attempting to purchase a short sale… read more…