Buying a house is an exciting time, but homeowners also need to make the best financial decision to meet their needs. One of the biggest decisions potential homeowners will face is how much money to put down. A down payment is the amount of money that homeowners pay upfront when they purchase a home. Many homeowners believe they need to put down 20 percent; however, this is not always the case. What do homeowners need to know about putting a down payment on a house? 20 Percent Is Not Always Required The reason why homeowners often believe they need to put down 20 percent is that lenders … [Read More...]
Last week’s economic reporting included readings on construction spending, written testimony from Fed chair Jerome Powell and data on public and private sector jobs and national unemployment. Weekly readings on mortgage rates and jobless claims were also released. Fed Chair Hints at Rate Hikes in Written Testimony Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell indicated that consistent rate hikes of the Fed’s target interest rate range will likely occur throughout this year, but he said that the Fed would proceed carefully. Analysts interpreted Mr. Powell’s remarks to mean that he … [Read More...]
Sometimes a move is unavoidable, regardless of how much you or your kids' would rather stay in your current home. If your young ones are not looking forward to a change in scenery, here are a few tips to help them make a smoother transition into their new home. 1. Involve Them Involving your children in the moving process will not only help them to better understand the move, it will also make them feel as though they are more in control of the situation. By taking them to open houses they'll become familiar with the neighborhoods you're considering moving to, and will have the chance to see … [Read More...]
A monthly mortgage can seem like enough of a financial responsibility on its own, but there are many factors involved in home ownership that affect its fiscal feasibility. If you're in the market for a house and are wondering how your income will stack up against the rest of your expenses, here's how to determine a home cost that's reasonable for you. Determine Your Down Payment Before you start with anything else, you'll want to determine the amount of money you can put down so you can estimate your monthly payments. The traditional amount for a down payment is 20% of the home's purchase … [Read More...]
Many people are looking for a way to diversify their investments, and real estate investing is a popular option. Some people might be interested in short-term rental properties. What is a short-term rental property, and what are the responsibilities of property owners? Learn more about short-term rental properties to figure out if this is a solid option. An Overview Of A Short-Term Rental Property A short-term rental property is a rental property that typically has residents and renters for fewer than 12 months at a time. Many people believe that short-term rental properties are vacation … [Read More...]
There is so much to know when it comes to homeownership that even wading into all of the information can seem overwhelming, but if there's one thing you need when the time comes to purchasing a home, it's to be prepared. Here are a few ways that you can ensure you're ready for what a mortgage entails so that buying your dream home will be a positive experience you won't regret.
Consider All Of Your Options
Instead of accepting the mortgage that your bank is offering you, it's very important to do some research and determine what some of the best options out there are for you. While it's … [Read More...]