You’ve decided to go for it. Buying a home can be thrilling and nerve-wracking at the same time, especially for a first-time homebuyer — it’s difficult to know exactly what to expect. The learning curve can be steep, but most of the issues can be resolved by doing a little financial [...]
Several things can affect your credit rating. For some people, fair or poor credit is the result of not having enough credit history, while for others, major life events such as divorce or an illness take a financial toll. No matter your life story, a less than perfect credit history [...]
A seller has accepted an offer on the home you want to buy. Congratulations! While you may want to move into your new home right away, most buyers have a long waiting period before they finally get the keys. Most buyers, however, make plans for the way they want their [...]
Many prospective homeowners like the idea of building because rather than settling, because they get exactly what they want. Others like buying something new, because no one else has ever lived in it. No matter the reason, home building is an increasingly popular option for prospective homeowners. But how does [...]
One of the things prospective homeowners worry about most is paying the closing costs. These are costs associated with closing on a home loan and building an escrow account for the payment of property taxes and homeowner’s insurance. Many homeowners choose to roll taxes and insurance into their mortgage, which [...]
You’ve been perusing local listings and see that your dream home is for sale. You attend an open house and it’s even better than you expected. Excitedly, you call the realtor and ask to make an offer. The realtor informs you that you’re unable to make an offer without mortgage [...]
One of the most common questions people have about home buying is this: “What credit score do I need to qualify?” The reality is there is no one-size-fits-all answer. Your credit score plays a significant role in your ability to finance a home, but your loan application decision will be [...]
Summer is right around the corner and here are some ideas you can use to save money during those warm months of summer: Turn off the air conditioning This doesn’t mean you have to suffer through sweltering heat, but you should be aware of the weather so that you can [...]
Spring is HERE! With the start of a new season comes a fresh opportunity to find ways to save energy and money. Here are just a few simple things you can do to improve the energy efficiency and comfort of your home as warmer temperatures arrive: Service your air conditioner. [...]
Spring is upon us! This is the prime time of year for house-hunting. There is a host of information on how to make the purchasing decision. It is so easy to say yes! when the home of your dreams is sprawling at your feet. Here are some mistakes many first-time [...]