Buying a home with a mortgage comes with plenty of strings attached, aside from just interest and principal. While you’ll have a general sense as to what your monthly mortgage payment will be, this complacency likely prevents you from reading over the specifics of your mortgage statement. By simply writing… read more →
In housing, it takes two to tango. Buyers have known for some time that low prices and low interest rates make it a good time to shop for a home, and now sellers are getting on the bandwagon. That could help solve the low-inventory problem that has dogged the market.… read more →
If you want to reduce your energy bill, enhance the comfort of your home, and do your part to save the environment from excessive energy or water waste, then it’s time to add some high-efficiency upgrades to your home. Environmentally friendly upgrades range from small, do-it-yourself projects to more time-consuming… read more →
As the spring real estate market ramps up, more homes go on the market. Great interior appeal partially relies on a spic-and-span look. So which areas need to stand out during a walk-through? To give prospective sellers ideas on what needs to be on their spring-cleaning checklists, here are some… read more →
Homeownership remains cheaper than renting nationally and in all of the 100 largest metro areas according to a recent report. Rising mortgage rates and home prices have narrowed the gap over the past year, though rates have recently dropped and price gains are slowing. Now, at a 30-year fixed rate of… read more →
Banks are getting very cautious about home mortgage loans these days — right up to the closing date. Even consumers with good credit and plenty of cash may find themselves out on the sidewalk if any of these last-minute loan application issues pop up. To make sure you’re on the right end… read more →
Smart sellers spend a whole lot of time and energy strategizing about how to sell their homes for top dollar. They factor in buyer demand, the competition, the job market, the mortgage market and their agent’s track record. And that doesn’t even account for all the time spent understand recent… read more →
The U.S. economy is off to a bit of a rocky start in 2014, something that might actually benefit homebuyers this busy spring homebuying season. The unsteady – and frankly, at times unpredictable – economy has allowed mortgage rates to hit yearly lows as recently as the first week in… read more →
There are many factors your lender will take into account when assessing the type and quantity of a home mortgage loan you will qualify for. Of course, your credit standing is just one such variable. Good credit has never been more important for obtaining a loan. Your broader financial picture,… read more →
Spending less money on utility bills doesn’t mean you need to rush out and purchase a whole new suite of Energy Star appliances. With occasional light maintenance and good habits, you can greatly improve the energy efficiency of your large kitchen appliances—up to about $120 annually—without sacrificing convenience. Refrigerator/freezer Energy-efficiency… read more →