The goal of being debt free is one that holds the promise of financial freedom for many consumers. For many, this also includes getting rid of mortgage debt as early as possible. But does it always make sense to pay off your mortgage early? Read More
For many of us, a home will be the largest asset we ever own. If you plan to stay in your home long-term — perhaps even to retirement and beyond — it can provide you with help for your finances. Read More
We tend to have a “bigger is better” mentality when it comes to homes. We’re taught to buy the biggest home we can possibly afford. Read More
As you go through the process of purchasing a home with a mortgage, you are likely to discover a number of surprising costs. Read More
One of the reasons that people buy homes is so that they can get access to the equity in the homes. Because your home has value, it’s possible to borrow against it in order to meet other financial goals. Read More
Created in 2009 to help out struggling homeowners, HAMP (Home Affordable Modification Program) has helped about 1.4 million homeowners modify their mortgages to avoid foreclosure. Read More
When a homeowner receives a notice of foreclosure, it’s not unusual to pack up and move out as quickly as possible. That hasty decision may not be wise however, because many unforeseen complications can occur Read More
While many date the recent financial crisis from 2008, the reality is that there was a build up to that crisis. Prior to the events that took place in the fall of 2008, a mortgage market crisis was building in the form of increasing foreclosures. Read More
Getting a home appraisal is always an important part of buying a home and a requirement for getting a mortgage. Major changes have taken place during the last decade to the way appraisals are ordered and performed. Read More
One of the phrases that you might have heard at one point is “house poor.” This term can seem like a contradiction in some cases, since it’s hard to envision some people actually being poor, based on the homes that they have. Read More
