Before potential homeowners apply for a mortgage, they may ask themselves the all important variable, “How much home can I afford?” It’s always a good idea to ponder affordability in advance because it means you can look for houses that fall exactly within the your price range. Read More
Coming up with a down payment and mortgage closing costs can be a difficult thing for many prospective homeowners. The good-ole-days of zero-down mortgage loans with no closing costs and everything rolled into the loan are gone. Read More
The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is the agency that makes it possible for familys’ in rural areas to purchase their own home with no down payment. USDA mortgage loans are offered to qualifying individuals and families across more than 95% of the U.S. land mass. Read More
If you have a house, chances are that you’ve been told it’s your most valuable asset. And it’s true that your home can have a lot of value. Read More
It’s not easy to walk away from your home, admitting that you need to accept a foreclosure in order to move on and start over. Read More
Recently, my family moved across the country. We moved from a house to an apartment. Our home was rather modest to begin with, so the move to the apartment represents downsizing by about 250 square feet. Read More
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
