Homeowners can’t help but do a little dance every time property values increase. What’s not to love? Higher values create more equity for homeowners. Sellers can pocket even more cash. And investors enjoy a nice boost to their net worth. While the financial benefits largely outshine any drawbacks, there are things homeowners should consider.
Deciding to purchase a home is exciting and a bit nerve-racking. It’s a big decision that can impact your life and finances for years to come. But it also provides the opportunity to improve your home life and build equity in the property. One of the most common questions prospective buyers ask is, how much cash is needed upfront?
When inflation started to pick up, it was an annoyance. Prices were rising on groceries, and dining out became a luxury. Fast forward a year, and prices are up on just about everything, including utilities, gas, and even car insurance. Inflation is wearing people financially thin. However, there is a way to make ends meet without draining your savings or incurring high-interest debt. It’s called a HELOC.
Today, most mortgages have terms that extend up to 30 years or more. While this makes the monthly payments affordable, decades of interest payments can add up to a substantial sum. A common question among homeowners is whether they should pay off their mortgage early. It can be a tricky question to answer.
One area that first-time homebuyers struggle the most to understand is their monthly mortgage payment. Unlike a car loan, it’s not as clear-cut. And most real estate websites and financial calculators only focus on the principal and interest portion of your payment – which can be very misleading.
Unexpected medical expenses are inevitable and always seem to show up at the most inopportune time. Being that these costs are often relatively high, you may wonder how you will ever pay for them.
When thinking about home protection, most people turn to a homeowner’s insurance plan. Homeowner’s insurance covers your home in the event of a theft, fire, water damage, and more. However, what happens if major household items like your appliances or HVAC break down? That’s where a home warranty comes into play.
Selling your house can be bittersweet. While you may know it’s time to move on, letting go of a home where you created so many memories can be challenging. You mustn’t let these heightened emotions and your desire to get the best price for your property cloud your ability to make sound financial decisions.
Planning for retirement can be a challenging process. If you’re like most, your strategy is likely riddled with many unanswered questions – from deciding when you’ll be able to retire to calculating if you’ll have enough funds to last your golden years. One lesser-known option to help fund your retirement is a Reverse Mortgage.
The combination of higher home prices and rising interest rates are forcing many would-be homebuyers out of the market. While conventional fixed-rate mortgages reign king during periods of low rates, other home loan options shine in uncertain markets. One of these loans is an adjustable-rate mortgage or ARM.
