Tag Archives: mortgage

Taking Debt Too Lightly

Why is it so easy to go into debt and so hard to get out of it? I think for modern generations, there has been a culture of taking debt too lightly. Fortunately, for some of us, that culture is changing toward one of getting rid of debt or not getting into it in the first place. Meanwhile, there is still a more corporate culture that encourages debt, and it is one, as individuals, that we have to fight against in order to be solvent and live a good life. Being offered a loan, whether it is a home mortgage, … Continue reading →

To Get Out of Debt, Start Small

The bills are piling up in the corner of your desk, and it seems that every day the mail brings a new stack to deal with. Although the collection agencies haven’t started calling yet, you know that it is only a matter of time before they do. You want to get out of debt and get back on track, but the whole thing seems so overwhelming. Fortunately, it really doesn’t have to be. Just start small and go from there. Most financial advice about debt will guide you toward paying off the debt with the highest interest rate first. This … Continue reading →

What Are the Extra Purchase Costs?

When you are about to make a purchase, do you consider all of the extra costs that might go along with it? Sometimes a simple purchase is not so simple after all. Keep the following things in mind when you are about to spend money on something. Do you need to use credit? If you are taking out a loan or using a credit card to purchase something than beware. You may wind up paying twice or more of the purchase price in interest fees. Few of us can afford a house without a mortgage, but it is a great … Continue reading →

Hiring a Professional Home Stager

These days, if you want or need to sell your home, you’ll need to do everything you can to make it stand out from the crowd. One of the ways to do this is to hire a professional stager who will stage your home the exact right way for your particular market. Here is some general information about professional home stagers. Within the last four years, the practice of staging a home has increased to the point where a majority of homes on the market feature some sort of staging, whether it is done by a home owner or a … Continue reading →

Analyzing a New Neighborhood

For qualified buyers, now is a great time to purchase a home. There are many homes available on the market, and the prices are good. There are still plenty of reputable mortgage companies that are offering mortgages for qualified buyers. Will all of the choices to make before buying a home, one of the most important ones is exactly where you will live. You want to make sure that once you move in to your new home, you will like the neighborhood. One of the best ways to be sure that you will fit in to your new neighborhood is … Continue reading →

Don’t Do These Things Before Buying a Home!

If you are planning on a home purchase, there are certain things that you can do that might jeopardize your success in getting a qualifying mortgage or a good rate. As soon as you decide to house hunt, don’t do any of the following. Make a major purchase. You don’t want to affect your assets by making a major purchase. This could affect you in two way. First, it can add to your debt, which will affect your credit rating. And second, it can reduce your available assets, also affecting your credit or affecting the cash you might have for … Continue reading →

Spend as Little as Possible on Your Home

To really maximize your investment and improve your overall financial picture, you should actually spend as little as possible on your home. Instead of finding out the maximum your mortgage broker will allow you to borrow (as so many people do), you should figure out the minimum house that will satisfy your needs. Not only do homes in the lower price points tend to increase in value the most, they also allow you the most disposable income in reduced house payments. This additional money each month can be invested in more profitable endeavors, or simply allows you to live with … Continue reading →

Paying off your Mortgage Early

Have you ever considered whether you should try and pay off your mortgage early? Many people have. But, a mortgage is different kind of debt than most… so it is good to evaluate all the advantages and disadvantages before you make that leap. The first consideration is other debt. In almost every case, before you ever consider making extra payments on your mortgage you should first focus on all your other debt. In almost every instance, whether it be a credit card, student loan or car, that debt is costing you more to keep in interest than a mortgage. What … Continue reading →

Buying a House

When you begin looking for a new home, you might find youself a little overwhelmed. Not only are their lots of details that you may not be aware of (or may have forgotten if you purchased a home long ago) but the prices of homes may provide an overwhelming amount of “sticker shock.” If it’s been a while since you bought a home you may soon find that there’s a big difference in the value of homes today. That’s good news for you when you sell your existing home, but you may find that you can’t afford as much house … Continue reading →

Are You Ready to Buy a Home?

So, you’re thinking about buying a house. Congratulations. Buying a home can be a very exciting experience. The process can also be rather stressful, especially if you are unprepared. There are a few things you need to know and do in order to make the process simpler. Start by getting a copy of your credit report a few months before you actually start looking for a home. Make sure that everything on your credit report is correct and then check your credit score. If you’re looking at it for the first time, it may not mean much to you. All … Continue reading →