HOMEOWNERSHIP
ARTICLES

Homeownership

Getting Rid of Private Mortgage Insurance

When purchasing a standard mortgage from a private lender, you may be required to purchase private mortgage insurance (PMI). However, PMI can be costly, usually charging you ...

Homeownership

House, Townhome, or Condo?

The real estate market offers many different housing options. Depending on your life stage, financial resources, and where you are on your financial journey, one ...

Homeownership

Building Equity in Your Home

If you own a home, the mortgage payments you make each month could help you build a substantial asset - home equity. The home equity you build represents how much ...

Homeownership

How Escrow Accounts Work

When you purchase a home with the help of a lender, the lender will likely set up an escrow account for ...

Homeownership

Down Payment Assistance Programs

For those at the low-to-moderate-income level, the most substantial barrier to homeownership are the closing costs and a down payment associated with ...

Homeownership

Down Payment Strategies for First-Time Home Buyers

The idea of buying a first home is exciting. Coming up with a sizeable down payment, however, can feel like an insurmountable task. That is especially true ...

Homeownership

How Home Construction Loans Work

Home construction loans provide families and individuals with the ability to finance new home construction projects ...

Homeownership

Buying a Vacation Home

It is something many families dream of: Owning a small cottage by the lake, a cabin in the mountains, or ...

Homeownership

What Now for Home Equity?

The recent tax law changes have many homeowners and home buyers more than a little nervous ...

Homeownership

Estimating a Home's Market Value

Whether you are preparing to buy a home or sell a home, it is essential to determine its market value so you can make ...

Homeownership

15-Year vs 30-Year Mortgages

What makes more sense financially for you, a 15-year fixed-rate mortgage or a 30-year fixed-rate mortgage? ...

Homeownership

About Private Mortgage Insurance

If you are in the market to buy a new home and have less than a 20 percent down payment, you are ...

Homeownership

Buying vs Renting a Home

Does it make more sense to rent than to buy? This has been a long-running debate in this country ...

Homeownership

Cash-Out Refinancing or a Home Equity Loan?

What's the top benefit of owning a home? Many would point to the equity you gain as you steadily pay down ...

Homeownership

Finding the Right Home

Buying a home is an important decision. In fact, it will probably rank as the biggest purchase you ever make ...

Homeownership

Fixed Rate vs Adjustable Rate Mortgages

You are ready to apply for a mortgage. Your question? Should you take out a fixed-rate loan or an ...

Homeownership

Home Affordability

You are ready to make the jump from renting to buying a home. That is good news ...

Homeownership

Know When to Lock-In a Mortgage Rate

When you are preparing to get a mortgage, one of the steps you can take is to lock in your interest rate ...

Homeownership

Qualifying for a Mortgage

Qualifying for a mortgage loan today is no easy task. However, it is also far from an impossible one ...

Homeownership

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?

As you explore options to get out of debt and get your financial house in order, your home, becomes one ...

Homeownership

Should You Refinance Close to Retirement?

When mortgage rates are low -- and in late 2016 the rates on both 30-year rates were at 4.30 percent and ...

Homeownership

Should You Refinance Into a Shorter Term Mortgage?

When mortgage rates are low refinancing to a shorter-term mortgage can save you tens of thousands of dollars ...

Homeownership

The Pros and Cons of an HOA

A homeowners association (HOA) provides you with the chance of living in an orderly and well-run neighborhood ...

Homeownership

The ROI of Home Improvement Projects

One of the most rewarding things about being a homeowner is that you can make changes to your home ...

Homeownership

Understanding Housing and Debt Ratios

You've found your dream home in the perfect neighborhood. There's just one problem ...

Homeownership

Understanding Mortgages

Most people will need a mortgage to finance the purchase of a home. A mortgage works much like any other ...