Building your home from the ground up can be extremely rewarding. You get to have a lot more control over your property’s design and construction, and starting from scratch can be an adventurous passion project. But how can you finance…
When you apply for a mortgage, lenders assess two things: your risk as a borrower and any risks associated with the property. While you can influence the former through having a good credit score and low debt-to-income ratio, the latter…
Knowing whether the price is right for a property you’re interested in is vital to avoid problems further down the road. It can be easy to miss though, especially in a hot market. With stiff competition, an overpriced listing can…
Mortgage rates have risen since the beginning of the year. As home prices still remain high and economic uncertainty creeps in, you might be considering pausing your home search. Is that the right move, though? The truth is, no homebuying…
Buying a house can be challenging, but the work doesn’t stop once you sign those closing papers. As a new homeowner, there are a number of tasks you’ll want to prioritize to ensure your home is safe, secure and primed…
Adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) are a hot topic for a reason: Not only can they help borrowers avoid committing to higher interest rates, but initial rates for ARMs have also remained lower than fixed-rate mortgages. For example, these were the average…
There are a lot of myths and misconceptions in the personal finance world, and some of them could hold you back — from saving money and improving your credit score to qualifying for loans. No matter what your next financial…
Your mortgage costs aren’t always set in stone. If you want to reduce your monthly payments or lower your long-term costs, there are several options for you to explore. While methods may vary depending on your loan type, financial profile…
Home equity is a powerful tool. You can leverage it to pay for repairs or other personal expenses, or alternatively, it can increase your profits should you ever decide to sell. Most homeowners have already gained serious equity in the…
Refinancing your mortgage can lower your interest rate, reduce your monthly payments or provide the funds to pay other debts and expenses. However, application rejection is more common than many people think. But there are ways to help improve your…
