A beautiful landscape can add tremendous value to your home. However, it’s important to make the right decisions when updating your landscaping, as a poorly maintained yard can kill your curb appeal. 1. Think about how you’d like to use your outdoor space Do you wish you had a patio with seating so you …
Top 8 Landscaping Tips to Increase the Value of Your Home Read More »
Whether it’s a simple fix or a major upgrade, there are many home improvements you can make that could save you thousands of dollars every year. Key takeaways Reduce heating and cooling costs with programmable thermostats, insulation, duct sealing, shade trees, and ceiling fans. Cut down on energy costs by upgrading to LED lighting and …
Home Improvements That Will Save You Money Long Term Read More »
There are several potential benefits to a home refinance. But all too often, a homeowner makes these common mistakes when refinancing their home. Read up on these mistakes now so you know what to avoid in the future. Key takeaways Protect your credit score by avoiding sudden changes. Get a second opinion when considering …
Top 6 Common Mistakes to Avoid When Refinancing Your Home Read More »
There are many potential benefits to refinancing your home. But there’s a good amount of strategy and preparation involved to getting the maximum benefits available. Here are some steps you can take to help you get the best deal possible on your refinance. Key takeaways Clearly define your goals and speak to a mortgage professional …
Purchasing a home is a significant life event and the first step in building wealth for most people in the United States. Before moving forward on something this monumental, it’s essential to understand the different types of mortgage loans and which one is the right one for you. Key takeaways Fixed-rate mortgages offer a …
There are several benefits to buying a newly constructed home. For example, new builds allow you more opportunities to customize your home. Plus, most newly constructed homes have less maintenance costs over the first few years. To ensure the best possible experience when watching your new home come to life, keep these important tips in …
You may be unsure of what it means to build equity in your home. For a better understanding of what home equity is and how to use it to your advantage, check out the article below! Key takeaways Building equity in your home expands refinancing options in the future. Refinancing options can vary …
In the housing industry, there’s always a lot of talk about changing interest rates. But if you focus too much on the rates, you might miss out on the long-term value of homeownership. Rates change, housing prices go through highs and lows, and the markets will fluctuate. But the value of homeownership is more consistent. …
Buying a home is one of the biggest financial decisions you can make. That’s why it’s important to not let these common myths get in the way of what’s best for you and your future. Key takeaways Buying a home is a big decision, and it’s important to do your research. Take time to think …
Choosing a home isn’t as simple as square footage or a number of bedrooms. When deciding which size house is best for you, keep these important factors in mind. Key takeaways Consider your values and priorities when looking for a home, not just square footage or number of bedrooms. Being open to a smaller home …
There are several tax benefits to owning a home. These include the homestead exemption, tax credits, and tax deductions. In this article, we’ll break down the basics of homeownership tax benefits. But for more personalized, detailed tax advice, it’s probably a good idea to talk to a tax advisor or your accountant. Keep in mind, …
The rule of thumb is that you should not spend more than 30% of your household income on rent. This means that if your combined household income is $10,000 per month, then your rent should be no more than $10,000 x 0.3, which comes out to be $3,000. This 30% rule of thumb exists so …
Finding your dream home can feel like looking for a needle in a haystack. Keep in mind these essential tips when searching for the perfect fit. Key takeaways Set a budget by getting pre-qualified for a mortgage before home search.Consider location: proximity to work/school, safety, preferred school district. Prioritize features like size, bedrooms/bathrooms, outdoor space, …
You may be wondering what it means to refinance, the benefits of refinancing, and what different refinancing options are out there. Check out this quick article to learn more! Key takeaways Refinancing replaces your current home loan with a new one for lower payments, interest rates, term, or equity access. Options include changing from ARM …
Refinancing Your Home Mortgage: The Basics & Benefits Read More »
Buying a house is one of the biggest financial decisions you can make. Here’s how you can set the right expectations about the road ahead, along with some tips to help you along the way. Key takeaways Buying a home is a significant financial and emotional decision. Emotional lows include deceptive listings, open house …
The Emotional Highs and Lows of Buying Your Dream Home Read More »
Mortgage lenders check your credit at the beginning of the approval process, and they also pull your credit again right before closing. If the second credit check comes back the same as the first, the closing should stay on schedule. However, if the second credit check comes back lower than the first, or raises some …
What Happens if My Credit Changes Before Closing? Read More »
Having a low credit score can feel like a major burden. But a “bad” credit score is not a life sentence. Here are some steps you can take to improve your credit. Key takeaways Check your credit history for errors. Pay your bills on time and keep credit card spending low. Keep your credit utilization …
Homebuying is a massive financial enterprise. Generally, one of the first steps in the home loan process finds the lender presenting the borrower with a 4506 t form—a form that, when signed allows for the lender to request the borrower’s tax summary from the last couple of years. A common belief is that there’s no way …
The home buying process can be a complicated journey as there are numerous steps to go through. You need to obtain a pre-approval through a lender, hire a realtor, find a home, make an offer to buy, go through the underwriting process, have the home inspected, close on the home, etc. The list seems endless …
Homeownership is one of the most important steps you can take to build wealth in this country, yet it can seem out of reach for many people. Fortunately, for certain professions, such as teachers, assistance is available to make the dream of homeownership come true. Teachers can take advantage of special loans and deals that …
Do Teachers Get Special Mortgage Loans? 10 Mortgage Options for Educators Read More »
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