You’ve paid off your debts, your credit score has increased, and you have saved enough to make a down payment. You also qualified for a loan. Here are some considerations before you buy a house because, there are additional costs beyond the initial purchase. First to consider is calculate what to spend. You need to plan for mandatory fees such as property taxes, homeowner insurance, and homeowner association dues (if your desired community as an HOA). These fees are not […]
Saturday, 9:00 am, January 2, 2016. The credit card bills arrive and, you can’t afford to purchase a ladder long enough to climb out of the hole you created from holiday gift shopping and celebrations. What now? The urge to over spend using credit cards already at the limit edge and acquiring new credit for gifts, big celebrations or a new get-up is just bad and stressful. Challenge yourself today for a debt-free New Year. Buckle down and create an […]
Moving can be stressful but, there are simple ways to make the process more organized. Here are a few basic items: Document all your cords: Take photos and mark each cord with the equipment it belongs with. Make notes on how your media equipment is up (television, sound equipment, modems and computer). Update your address: Either visit your local post office or their website at USPS.com and submit your address change. Plan for your pet: Moving can be stressful for […]
Unpacking the lingo is the first part of the home purchase process. Understanding the terms, acronyms and other confusing jargon will help you better negotiate the terms of your mortgage. Buying a home is the single most expensive purchase most people will accomplish in a lifespan. Here are ten terms explained as simple as possible: It’s all in the family – Freddie Mac, Fannie Mae and Ginnie Mae This trio was formed by the federal government to support a national […]
Adding value to your property is a smart decision. But beware; there are some projects that sound good in theory but will cost you more than the equity payout. Here are some projects to avoid: Home Office Remodel The home office is a popular space in most homes today. If your home office leaves a lot to be desired kept your improvements simple; a pleasant paint color, better lighting or a nice desk. Don’t try to remodel it unless there’s […]
Giving Your Landscape the Water it Needs and Only the Water it Needs Most homeowners know that plants and trees writhe without sufficient water. But overwatering can take on even greater toll on your landscape. Watering too much or too often can also register on your water bill as the cost of treating and pumping water increase all over the state. Fortunally, significant water savings can be appreciated by performing just a few modest practices. Californians’ recognize that water is […]
The Associated Press reports that the average 30-year U.S. mortgage rate this week remained at a 52-week low of 4.10 percent for the third straight week. The average for a 15-year mortgage, a popular choice for people who are refinancing, slipped to 3.24 percent from 3.25 percent. This is certainly good news on the economic front, where some analysts suggest that the static low rates have increased home sales across the country. The AP article stated that real-estate data provider […]
Online comparison shopping is changing everything from how we buy a new television set to how we select a mortgage, and it’s allowing some mortgage lenders to get creative in order to compete. Lenders are stripping down features of mortgages to get their rates lower. Consumers have always been keen on scoring a low mortgage rate, but the ease with which they can comparison shop via their computers, smartphones and tablets has created an even greater fixation on the headline […]
Ready to buy a new home and need to sell your current one? Like most other times, today’s market can be volatile. Obviously you will need a sound plan, including the assistance of a professional realtor, to pull off the switch. 1. Interview several realtors. For many people, a home is the biggest investment you’ll make. Especially if you need the proceeds from a home sale to purchase a new home, make sure your realtor is experienced selling homes in […]
Credit scores are the number one factor in obtaining a loan. “FICO” is an acronym for “Fair, Isaac, and Company.” According to www.myfico.com, base FICO scores range from 300-850, and industry-specific FICO® Scores range from 250-900. Your FICO® Scores are calculated using the information in your credit reports. These reports contain the information that each credit bureau has on file about you. This sample credit report shows a few examples of the types of information that the credit bureaus collect, […]