housing

In What Ways Can You Cut Monthly Expenses And Reduce Spending?

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You’re ready to tackle your debt. You need to save more. You want extra money to invest. Whatever your money goal, you want to find the best ways to cut expenses so you can reduce spending today. Deciding on the optimal place to start can be a challenge. What will make the most significant difference […]

Important Financial Rules of Thumb: What To Know [And Ignore]?

From a financial perspective, living today and planning for the future are difficult tasks. It takes work to figure out how to allocate our earnings both for our current needs and for investing in our futures, including retirement. Luckily, we can learn a lot from all those who’ve already done it. If we follow some […]

What Is A Cash Out Refinance Mortgage And Why Do One?

While some people think renting is the best decision, others of us dream of owning our own home. Most of us home buyers have a goal of paying off our mortgages before retiring (or earlier if possible). So, when interest rates drop, it’s smart to consider refinancing your mortgage to reduce payments or the term […]

How Do I Get Rid of Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)?

If you pay for private mortgage insurance (PMI) you’re not alone. The average down payment on a home purchase is only 6% requiring most homeowners to pay for PMI each month. If you had less than a 20 percent down payment when you bought your house, your lender probably required you to have private mortgage […]

Starter House Or Forever Home? Considerations When Buying Your First Place

Buying a home is exciting. It’s also one of the most significant financial decisions you’ll ever make. So you want to get it right – and you want to get it right the first time. If you’re buying your first home, you may wonder if you should buy a “starter” home or a “forever” home. […]

What Are The Best Ways To Help Aging Parents Financially?

Whether you’re just starting to take control of your finances or already working toward financial independence, you might also be thinking about a common financial fear – your aging parents and their money. Are they financially prepared for retirement? Is their retirement plan to just keep working? Will they need your financial help? The answers […]

Sharing Living and Relationship Expenses: How Do We Make It Fair?

You’ve decided it’s time to move in together. It’s a big step in your relationship, and you’re excited about the future. You’ll have to each decide which of your belongings you can share in your new place. Another thing you’ll have to figure out? How to share expenses when living together. The best way to […]

Is Buying A Short Sale, Foreclosure Or REO Home Too Risky?

Whether you’re looking for a bargain on your first home, hoping to score a great deal on a bigger house, looking for a house to flip, or investing in another rental property – your attention is focused on foreclosures. But is it a good idea or way too risky to buy a home in foreclosure? […]

Is The Savings From Living With Roommates Worth It?

You remember talking as a teenager about how great it would be to move out of your parents’ house. Getting an apartment with friends or heading off to a college dorm – any place where you’d have some freedom and ability to make your own decisions. Leaving the “nest” usually means moving in with others […]

What Happens When You Cannot Pay Your Mortgage?

Perhaps you lost your job after going through a divorce. Or you’re suffering from a severe illness or injury and unable to work. Whatever the cause, you’re now struggling to make ends meet and worry you can’t pay your mortgage. On top of it being a rough emotional time, your finances are a wreck. You […]

How Can Smart Technology Save Me Money On Insurance?

The ever-eccentric Elon Musk recently announced plans to roll out a million autonomous ride-sharing vehicles by 2020. The ambitious goal is intended to take on the likes of Lyft and Uber, but in the grander scheme of things, it may have a much deeper impact on consumer cost savings. In the past decade, technology solutions […]

When Is The Right Time To Refinance My Mortgage?

Refinancing your home loan could save you a lot of money. But, depending on your situation, the cost to refinance could mean you end up spending more in the long run. So when should you refinance your house? That depends on several factors. The best thing you can do is run the numbers and do […]

Is It Better To Sell Home By Owner Or Use Real Estate Agent?

If you’re thinking about selling your home, you want to get the best price possible. Eliminating realtors’ commissions puts more money in your pocket. But does it make sense to sell your house without a realtor? Will it save you money in the long run? And how much work will it be? There are benefits […]

How Can I Save Money On Moving Expenses?

Moving to a new house or apartment can be exciting. It can also be stressful, especially if you’re on a budget. Between the phone calls, paperwork, and heavy lifting, the time and money it takes to move adds up. But with a little planning, you can reduce stress and save money when you move. Research […]

Which Home Renovations Return Value and How Do I Pay For Them?

If you’re ready to take on a home renovation project this year, you’re not alone. Last year, over half of homeowners planned to spend thousands of dollars on home improvement projects. But before you join others on their HGTV-inspired ventures, think about which home renovations pay off and how you will pay for them. Which […]

Are There Advantages To Buying A House In The Winter?

Ready to buy your first home or move up to your ‘forever’ home, but waiting for winter to pass first? For many, the cold winter winds and snow squalls put house hunting plans on hold. But, could waiting for flowers to bloom and backyard pools to open stop you from finding a home you love […]

How Much Homeowners Insurance Do I Need And What Will It Cover?

The biggest purchase of your life is your house. Whether you’re preparing to close on a house or looking at a renewal bill for your current home’s insurance, you have questions about homeowners insurance coverage and its cost. Frequently asked home insurance policy questions relate to the amount of insurance you need and the type of […]

What Should We Know Before Buying A House Together Unmarried?

Homeownership, whether you’re married or not, can be a decades-long legal and financial obligation. Do it right, and you will reap all kinds of benefits, including having a home in which to live, building equity, and a stronger credit score. Do it wrong, and you could end up on the receiving end of a financial […]

Sell The House Or Rent It Out, What Should You Consider?

There are plenty of reasons why you might find yourself thinking about selling a house or renting it out. You may be moving up from a starter home or downsizing from a larger home. Or perhaps you’re relocating for a job, combining households, inheriting a house, or buying one from your parents. No matter what […]

Can I Buy My Parents’ House [And Is It A Good Idea]?

If you’re thinking about buying your parents’ house, there are many things to consider before moving forward. Buying a home is a substantial financial decision. And when a big-money decision involves family, it should be carefully considered. Why Buy Your Parents’ House? You might have multiple reasons for thinking about buying your parents’ home. Here […]

Is It Smart To Use A HELOC As An Emergency Fund?

If you’re lucky, you go about life without facing too many events you’d call true emergencies. But even the most “glass half-full” adults understand the phrase hoping for the best has an important ending…preparing for the worst. For many people, that preparation involves saving at least 3-6 months of expenses in an emergency fund, maybe […]

Should I Move To A Lower Cost Of Living Area?

Quite simply, cost of living (COL) is what you pay to cover the basics to live such as housing, food, utilities, etc. Since it’s not your imagination and it really does cost more to live now than it did for previous generations, would it make sense for you to move to a lower cost of living […]

Flipping A House: What Should You Know Before Trying It?

Flipping a house is a popular and legitimate way to make money in real estate, but there are many things you should know before you open that door, so to speak. When it comes to building wealth through real estate, flipping is one of the most talked about strategies out there. Who doesn’t love the […]

Is House Hacking The Best Way To First Invest In Real Estate?

If you’ve looked into investing in real estate to build wealth, you may have heard the term “house hacking.” House hacking has become an effective and popular way for new investors to get started creating wealth through real estate. But, is house hacking to make money the best way for you to invest in real […]

What Can I Do About Housing After My Divorce Or Breakup?

You are going through a divorce or your long-term relationship is ending, and you’re soon facing moving out of your current home. But you’re not sure if you should purchase a house, lease an apartment, move in with friends, or go back and live with your parents or another family member after your break-up. There are […]

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