How to Buy and Sell a Home Smoothly
Buying a home can be stressful, but it gets even more challenging when you’re also trying to sell your current property at the same time. It’s a lot to manage. But it doesn’t have to be as stressful as it sounds. With proper guidance, timing and financing, you can streamline the process — and hopefully…
Read MoreAmortization Explained in Simple Terms
The road to homeownership is littered with buzzwords, acronyms and other industry jargon. Luckily, not all of those terms are as complicated as they may initially sound. Take amortization, for example — simply put, it’s the process of paying off debt on a set schedule (e.g., a 30-year mortgage). But when paying off a home…
Read More4 Ways to Identify a Quality House Flip
House flipping has become a popular practice in recent years. Investors purchase older, often rundown homes and restore them to their former glory with a little DIY magic. While these stories make for good television, they don’t always have a happy ending for the buyer though — in the real world, quick flips can correspond…
Read MoreWhen Should You Tap Into Home Equity?
Your home can be a valuable financial resource if you’re looking to fund an important project or consolidate debt. Accessing your equity through a loan, home equity line of credit or cash-out refinance can be a smart move in the right circumstances. However, it’s important to carefully review the potential risks involved. If you’re considering…
Read MoreTips to Make a Functional Outdoor Space
Outdoor spaces can provide a lot of aesthetic value to your home. But what if you want to make your yard or patio a true extension of your living space? Whether you’re planning on spending quality time with the family or turning your yard into the life of the party with friends, these features help…
Read More5 Signs Your Home Has Too Much Radon
Did you know that nearly one in every 15 homes nationwide is estimated to contain high radon levels? This colorless, odorless, radioactive gas is the natural result of uranium decay in soil and water. Outdoors, radon harmlessly disperses into the atmosphere. Indoors, radon accumulation can be a major health concern for occupants. If you haven’t…
Read More4 Common Problems in Older Homes
Older homes come with built-in history, a unique character and nostalgic charm. But over many years, they may also harbor hidden problems that can cost a pretty penny once they finally surface. Knowing how to detect and correct these issues early can mean the difference between a minor inconvenience and a more costly repair. Here…
Read More3 Ways to Reduce Your Closing Costs
Closing costs are extra and typically run 2-5% of the final sales price of a home. Some of these costs are nonnegotiable — but did you know that others can be reduced or eliminated entirely? Here’s how: What’s Nonnegotiable Any fee attached to a government service is usually set in stone. This includes state and…
Read More4 Sneaky Expenses for New Homeowners
When budgeting for a new home, there’s a tendency to focus on saving up for the down payment and closing costs. You may have also factored in the ongoing costs of your mortgage, insurance and property taxes. But those aren’t the only expenses you need to consider — here are four first-year expenses that should…
Read MoreFHA Loans: Requirements and More
FHA Loans The FHA loan is a home loan program that has been offered since 1934. It is a government-backed loan, unlike conventional loans, that is insured by the Federal Housing Administration. The FHA is an agency that operates under the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Typically, the credit score and debt-to-income ratio requirements…
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