I was surprised the first time I saw our mortgage payment increase - after all, we had a fixed rate mortgage. And fixed rate mortgages should always have a fixed mortgage payment, right? Well, they ... Read More about How to Lower Your Mortgage Payments
Reverse Mortgages – The Good and the Bad
Reverse mortgages are gaining in popularity, as many senior citizens stretch for creative ways to maintain their living standards in an era of near zero interest rates on savings instruments. There’s ... Read More about Reverse Mortgages – The Good and the Bad
Five Reasons to NOT Pay off Your Mortgage
The conventional wisdom is that you should pay off your mortgage as soon as you are able. In most cases, that makes abundant sense. But not everyone's situation – or preference – is conventional. If ... Read More about Five Reasons to NOT Pay off Your Mortgage
Four Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early That You’ll Hardly Notice
If you’re a homeowner, and you have a long-term financial plan, you should include a strategy to pay your mortgage off early. If you can, you’ll have more money each month to pay off non-housing debt, ... Read More about Four Ways to Pay Off Your Mortgage Early That You’ll Hardly Notice
Five Situations Where Renting Makes More Sense Than Owning a Home
I think we can generally agree that for most people, owning a home is better than renting, especially from a financial standpoint. But are there times when renting makes more sense than owning a home? ... Read More about Five Situations Where Renting Makes More Sense Than Owning a Home
Say “No” to the 40 Year Mortgage
As a way to increase mortgage affordability, mortgage lenders are beginning to resurrect the 40 year mortgage. Not that it was ever that popular during the housing boom of the early 2000’s, but it is ... Read More about Say “No” to the 40 Year Mortgage
How Will A Short Sale Affect My Credit Score?
The lead up to the Great Recession was fueled by cheap credit, improper lending practices, and the unrealistic belief that housing prices could only go up. While some communities have seen housing ... Read More about How Will A Short Sale Affect My Credit Score?
What is a Good House Payment Amount for You?
When it comes to buying a house or refinancing your mortgage, there’s a tendency to push the envelope as far as you can. Most people want to borrow as much money as they can on their homes so they’ll ... Read More about What is a Good House Payment Amount for You?
5 Strategies for Paying Off Your Mortgage Faster
For many of us, the biggest financial obligation we have is the mortgage. While some people don't mind plugging away at the mortgage for 30 years (especially if the interest rate is low and they want ... Read More about 5 Strategies for Paying Off Your Mortgage Faster
Buying a House Together When You’re Not Married
While it may have been shocking as recently as 15 or 20 years ago, the “unmarriage” trend seems to be here to stay. According to a 2009 story by Lisa Selin Davis of Time Magazine, “more than 5 million ... Read More about Buying a House Together When You’re Not Married
