Home Equity Loan vs Personal Loan
Home equity loans and personal loans are two popular financing options that can be used for a wide range of expenses For example, home equity loans and personal loans can be used for things like... more
Home Equity Loan for Remodel
For most Americans, their home is their largest asset, so it makes sense there is an interest in ensuring the property is well maintained and the home’s finishings are current This ensures the... more
Can I Refinance My Second Mortgage?
Thousands of homeowners across the county have used a second mortgage to help purchase a home A second mortgage reduces the amount of cash needed for a down payment and can help a homebuyer avoid... more
401k Loan vs Home Equity Loan
While a 401(k) retirement account and a home can both be used as sources to borrow money, we generally recommend considering a home equity loan as it carries fewer personal financial risks 401(k)... more
HELOC vs Home Equity Loan – Which Is Better For You
Making smart financial decisions is a key ingredient to long-term wealth When it comes to your home, that has never been truer As a homeowner, you have many options for accessing your equity to... more
Introducing the Easiest Way for Homeowners to Eliminate Toxic, High-Interest Debt
We’re excited to announce the launch of a groundbreaking feature that transforms how homeowners drowning in high interest debt can use their home equity to hit the reset button and break free... more
Using a HELOC for Your Second Home: Unlocking Opportunities
If you have enough equity in your primary residence, you can use a home equity loan, such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC) as a way to invest in another property and build wealth This is... more
Can You Refinance a Home Equity Loan?
If you have a home equity loan, it’s possible to refinance it This is done by getting a new home loan and using it to pay off the old one Refinancing a home equity loan can be beneficial because it... more
What Can Home Equity Loans Be Used For
Millions of homeowners throughout America have certain common goals, and one of those goals is to save money Whether that’s at the grocery store, with monthly utility bills, or lowering debt... more
Are Home Equity Loans a Good Idea: Unveiling the Pros and Cons
As a homeowner, getting a home equity loan can help you improve your financial outlook if you put the funds to good use Lenders rarely issue restrictions on how you can use these funds, so you can... more
Using Home Equity Loan to Pay Off Debt
Of the hundreds of home equity posts we’ve written so far, this one is one of our favorites because it’s the core of what we do at House Numbers — we help homeowners pay off debt using their... more
Why Homeowners With 660 Credit Score Need to Move Quick to Close on Their Home Equity Loan
If you’re a homeowner struggling to manage your debt payments, cashing out on your home equity sooner rather than later could save you money in the long run A common way of doing this is using a... more
Should I Use My Home Equity or Personal Loan to Pay Off Debt?
If you’re a homeowner and want to pay off or consolidate debt, you should strongly consider a second mortgage like a home equity loan Compared to personal loans, a home equity loan often carries a... more
Comparing Home Equity Lines of Credit: How To Get The Best Deal
You’re in the market for a new Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC), and you’re having trouble deciding if a HELOC suits you because you’re bombarded with so many different offers And every offer... more
Everything You Need to Know About Title Insurance
Buying a home can be a risky business, especially if you’re a first-time buyer There are a lot of legal and financial issues you need to manage throughout the home-buying experience There is no... more
Can You Use a HELOC to Buy a Car?
A home equity line of credit, also known as a HELOC, is a type of home equity loan that gives you the flexibility to draw funds to be used for nearly any purpose, including the purchase of a car So,... more
Home Loan Fees: Difference Between Closing Costs vs. Lender Fees vs. Third-Party Fees
You will be charged two types of fees when accessing your equity with a new first mortgage They are lender fees and third-party fees Every transaction is unique, so the fees within these categories... more
House Numbers vs Mortgage Websites: How We Compare
Homeowners have access to a wide range of online resources when learning about their home equity, especially when they are trying to access their equity It gets very confusing because there are so... more
How To Get Your House Ready To Sell
They say, ‘don’t judge a book by its cover,’ but when it comes to houses, appearances definitely matter If your home doesn’t catch the attention of potential buyers at first look, the chances... more
How Can I Pay Less Interest on My Mortgage Each Month?
Each month, like clockwork, your checking account balance is reduced by another of your mortgage’s monthly payments If you are like most homeowners, you’ve wondered if it is possible to pay less... more
How Much Will My House Be Worth in 10 Years?
According to data from CoreLogic, home prices have increased over 20% in the past 12 months With such a large increase in a short amount of time, you may be wondering what your home value could be... more
Buying House From Parents Below Market Value
In the past few years there’s been lots of talk online about how to create multi-generational wealth We see this a lot with ultra-wealthy families — think Rockefeller, Carnegie, and Rothschild... more
When is the Best Time of Year to Sell a House
The best time of the year to sell your home will vary depending on a few factors that affect the selling of almost any home Some of these factors include the neighborhood around your house, tax... more
When is My First Mortgage Payment Due After Closing?
One of the first questions new homeowners ask is when is my first mortgage payment due Let us help with that! Your first mortgage payment is due on the first day of the second month that follows your... more
Can you Sell Your House Before Paying Off the Mortgage?
If you want to sell your home, you should know that you don’t have to wait until you pay off the mortgage to do so Of course, you get the most value if you pay off your home completely before... more
Types of Home Loans for First-Time Buyers
For first-time home buyers, there are five different types of home loans that are most popular These five loans give first-time buyers some options to choose from: These five types of home loans can... more
Can I Pay My Mortgage With a Credit Card?
One thing you may be wondering as a homeowner is can you pay your mortgage with a credit card The most straightforward answer with the least amount of clarification is: yes if you don’t mind paying... more
Pros and Cons of Metal Homes
What you need to know before living in a metal home Homeownership is a goal for a lot of people Having a place that you can call your own can give you a strong sense of security Unfortunately, the... more
What are the Different Types of Real Estate Agency Relationships?
Agency is defined as “one who is authorized to act in the place of another, specifically an official business representative” This definition is where real estate agency gets its roots When a... more
Is it Better to Pay Off My Property Taxes Directly or Include them in My Mortgage Payments?
As a homeowner, you have at least two options for paying your property tax: A prospective homeowner’s decision can impact how much they pay each month, but making larger payments two times out... more
Which States Require Attorneys for Real Estate Closings?
There are numerous complexities involved in a real estate transaction; buying or selling a home is not exactly a straightforward process However, you do have the option to opt for a real estate... more
Do you Keep All the Money When You Sell a House?
When you sell a house, you have to first pay any remaining amount on your loan, the real estate agent you used to sell the house, and any fees or taxes you might have incurred After that, the... more
Needs vs Wants vs Must-Haves Home Buyers Checklist
Struggling to find the perfect home within your budget It’s perfectly normal to have difficulties finding the right home When purchasing a home, you’ll need to create a home buying needs vs... more
Home Seller Fact Sheets: Everything You Need to Know
Preparing to sell your home can be scary if you aren’t knowledgeable about real estate and it’s your first time Hiring a good seller’s agent will help guide you through the process, but... more
Millennial’s Mortgage Guide for First Time Home Buyers
Introduction If you have ever looked into buying your first home, or indeed, if you know anyone who has bought a home, it is likely that you have come across the term ‘mortgage’ Now, you may... more
How to Use Home Equity to Build Wealth
Home equity is typically the greatest asset that many American families have, and yet, many families are unaware of all the opportunities to leverage that equity to build wealth If used properly,... more
How to Remove a Name from a Mortgage Without Refinancing
Removing a name from a mortgage is possible under a few different circumstances The main ways to remove a name from a mortgage without having to refinance include: Obviously, some of these... more
How Much Home Mortgage Do I Qualify for, and How Much can I Borrow?
Knowing how much mortgage you can afford depends on several important factors These factors, taken together, create your total affordability picture The rule of thumb is that lenders look for the... more
How to Build Equity in Your Home
One of the primary goals of homeownership should be the building of equity in the home Equity is simply the difference between the current value of a property and the balance of all mortgage... more
How Soon Can You Refinance a Mortgage?
How soon you can refinance your mortgage depends on a number of factors, including how much equity you’ve built in your home, what your current interest rate is, what the market interest rates are,... more
How Many Times Can I Refinance My Home?
There is absolutely no limit to how many times you can refinance your home Lenders do sometimes enforce a certain waiting period of time between closing a mortgage and refinancing for a new one If... more
Resale Value of Single-Family Home vs. Condo vs. Townhome
We recently wrote about the handful of factors that affect a home’s resale value Today, we discuss how the type of home affects its resale value, specifically how does the resale value of a... more
How to Lower My Debt to Income Ratio (DTI) as a Homeowner
Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is one of the most important figures that will determine how much home you can afford It measures the amount of your monthly debt payments against your monthly income... more
How Much Mortgage Refinance Can I Afford?
If you’ve ever wondered how much mortgage refinance can I afford, you’ve come to the right place as I’ll walk you through the easy math in this blog post Mortgage refinancing is a... more
Which Set of Items Appears on a Loan Estimate for Mortgage or Refinance
Getting a mortgage is one of the largest financial decisions we will make in our lives With that large decision comes a number of equally important questions, like, which type of loan will I get,... more
How Long Does a HELOC Take?
If you need to borrow money from your home, you should know that it can take between two to six weeks to close on a home equity line of credit (HELOC) In fact, this is the case with most other home... more
How Much Should I Offer For a House?
The amount you have to offer for a house depends on several factors Before beginning any negotiation for the home you fancy, it’s ideal to consider what would affect how much a house costs closely... more
How Do Mortgages Work?
They say it’s the “American Dream” to purchase and own a home Unfortunately though, homes are expensive, and most of us can’t afford to shell out all our cash for our house This is where home... more
Is Mortgage Insurance Deductible This Year?
Important update: As of 2022, the mortgage insurance premium deduction is no longer available This means you cannot deduct mortgage insurance payments made on any mortgages, including FHA loans, on... more
Best Day of the Week to Lock-in a Mortgage Rate
Locking in a lower mortgage rate can save you both money and time when it comes to paying off your home Believe it or not, there is a best day of the week to lock-in your mortgage rate when buying a... more
How Often Can You Refinance Your Home?
If you are a homeowner and looking to take money out, you may be wondering how often can you refinance your home The answer may surprise you: there’s no legal limit that restricts how often you can... more
You Can Get a Mortgage as an Entrepreneur － Here’s How
Many entrepreneurs struggle with lenders when they decide to buy a home Being an entrepreneur (aka a “self-employed borrower“) comes with its own set of rules when figuring out how to get... more
How to Prepare for a Home Appraisal Refinance?
Having your home appraised for a refinance will inform your lender what it’s worth before they extend you a loan You can prepare for a home appraisal refinance by doing things like repairing... more
How Long Does it Take to Get a Mortgage?
In a normal housing market, a typical mortgage takes around 30 days from start to finish, assuming it’s a conventional borrower and everything goes smoothly (ie, house appraisal matches home value)... more
How Long Does It Take to Refinance a Home?
Every year, countless homeowners consider refinancing their home, and there are plenty of questions that come with this process One question homeowners may have is, “how long does it take to... more
How Does a Second Mortgage Work?
If you’re in need of a large amount of money then a second mortgage might be the best way to get it The equity in your home is the total value of your home after the debt (ie, the mortgage) is... more
How Soon Can I Sell My House After Purchase?
If you recently purchased a home then you can technically sell it at any time That property is yours to do as you wish, including selling the home immediately after purchasing That said, what you can... more
Increase the Home Value of an Appraisal
The most straightforward, simple, and effective way of boosting your home’s appraisal value is to invest in small repairs, appliance updates, and smart improvements (ie bathroom improvements) These... more
Non-borrowing Spouse in Reverse Mortgages: Know Your Rights & Protect Your Family
Know Reverse Mortgages for married couples and how to protect your... more
Pay Off Mortgage Vs Investing
If you have extra money at the end of the month and are wondering if it’s better to use those funds to pay off your mortgage early or invest it, ask yourself the following questions to simplify... more
How to Pay Off my Mortgage Faster
There is a known phrase you may have heard “rent is dead money” This saying came about because rent money goes into someone else’s pocket When you pay rent, someone else profits It’s similar... more
Refinance Mortgage to Pay Off Debt
When you are a homeowner, you have the option to refinance the mortgage of your home to pay off debt This debt can include credit card debt, student loan debt, or any other kind of looming debt... more
Can I Refinance My Mortgage With the Same Lender?
If you are considering refinancing your home’s mortgage, one of the questions that you may have is whether you can refinance your mortgage with the same lender you are already using or whether... more
Difference Between Refinance and Second Mortgage
If you’re thinking about getting a home loan or tapping into your home equity for cash, you may have come across options to either refinance or get a second mortgage Many homeowners are confused by... more
Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons: We Cover the Good, the Bad, and the Surprises!
If you are near retirement age and need additional cash, a reverse mortgage loan can be a useful financial tool to increase your monthly income You’ll need to meet a few requirements such as being... more
Should I Buy Mortgage Points from My Lender?
In the world of mortgages, points can serve as a way for a homebuyer to trim the interest rate on their loan Buying discount points, or mortgage points, can be helpful if a buyer intends to hold the... more
Should I Refinance My Home if I Plan to Sell?
Refinancing your home if you plan on selling it can make sense, but this will depend on your financial situation — it should make financial sense to do so and you should think about what you’ll... more
What is a Bank Statement Mortgage?
A bank statement mortgage is a special type of mortgage that allows the homeowner to qualify for a mortgage and borrow money based on only the assets in their bank account and not just their monthly... more
8 Reasons to Refinance Your Mortgage When Interest Rates are Rising
Most homeowners refinance either to get a lower interest rate that will reduce the cost of their mortgage or to convert a portion of their equity into cash Many owners may not be aware of additional... more
Can you get a reverse mortgage at age 55
If you’re a homeowner that is at or near retirement age, a reverse mortgage is worth looking into as a way to turn your home equity into cash With inflation at record levels and the cost of living... more
Are There Closing Costs On a Home Equity Loan?
As a homeowner, you likely have looked into the different ways you can access your home equity One of the more popular ways is a second mortgage, which includes home equity loans (HE loans) and home... more
What is the Difference Between Remortgaging and Refinancing?
The biggest difference between a remortgage and a refinance is in their names only — they are functionally the same concept Whereas in the United States, the term is called “mortgage... more
Can You Use HELOC Funds For Anything
If you’ve ever wondered if you can use home equity loans for anything, you’ll be happy to know that the answer is yes A home loan such as a home equity line of credit (HELOC) or home... more
Does a Home Equity Loan Require an Appraisal?
If you’re applying for a home equity loan, almost all lenders will require an appraisal to determine the value of your home Thus, a home equity loan does require an appraisal The same is true for... more
How to Get Rid of PMI on an FHA Loan
Figuring out how to get rid of PMI (private mortgage insurance) on an FHA loan can be confusing, so we’ve done the research to make it easier to understand But first, please understand one... more
Home Equity Loans for Debt Consolidation
Are you a homeowner with too much high-yielding debt Do you have equity built up in your home If you are not familiar with how homeowners use home equity loans for debt consolidation, then you’ve... more
7 Factors That Affect a Home’s Appraisal Value
Selling or buying a home includes so many considerations that it’s sometimes hard to keep track! One of the most overlooked yet important considerations is getting a home appraisal This step is... more
How Long To Keep Mortgage Statements?
Mortgage statements are evidence that you’ve paid your debt obligation for this month and in most cases, have paid down some of your mortgage principal The question of how long to keep mortgage... more
How Much Equity Do I Have in My Home?
Calculating your home equity is thankfully simple math (don’t worry!) In this article, I will show you exactly how I calculated the equity in my home and I’ll make it as easy as possible for you... more
How Much Equity Should I Have in My Home Before Selling?
There’s no absolute correct answer for knowing how much home equity a homeowner needs to have saved before selling their home The answer depends on how much cash you want after the transaction is... more
The 3 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mortgage (Type, Term Length, and More)
Choosing a mortgage is an involved process, and we are here to help you understand each factor in depth Whether you’re a first time home buyer or an experienced buyer, knowing each factor well is... more
How to Build Home Equity with Home Improvements
Building your home equity is one of the best ways to increase your family’s overall wealth while still being able to enjoy the money you have Whether you want to improve the value of your... more
The 8 Factors that Affect a Home’s Resale Value
Although a homebuyer’s first focus should always be finding a home that is a good match for their needs and wants, the wise purchaser plans for their future, regardless of the type of home they... more
How to Calculate Equity in Your Home
For many homeowners, owning a house not only offers a place to live but also serves as the family’s most important asset A home’s equity represents a powerful tool that homeowners may... more
Does Refinancing a Home Hurt Your Credit Score?
Many homeowners wonder if refinancing their homes will hurt their credit scores The truth is that it depends on several elements such as the time frame for hard credit checks, multiple loan... more
How to Take Equity Out of Your Home
Property values have skyrocketed over the past 12 months, meaning homeowners have more home equity now than ever before If you’re trying to figure out how to take equity out of your home and turn... more
Difference Between Pre-Qualification and Pre-Approval
While following the home buying checklist, a buyer may come across a lot of unfamiliar terminologies There may even be words that are near related but mean two different things Two of the mortgage... more
Minimum Credit Score for Home Equity Loan
Home prices have soared over the past few years, giving homeowners access to more equity than ever before For many, turning that home equity into cash means turning to a lender for a home equity loan... more
What’s the Difference Between Direct Lenders vs Mortgage Brokers vs Bankers
When it comes to the mortgage industry, there are a lot of different players: direct lenders, mortgage brokers, bankers, private mortgage lenders, and more With so many different types of lenders, it... more
Debt Consolidation and Mortgage Refinance: Everything You Need To Know
If you own a home and are looking for ways to consolidate debt, a cash-out mortgage refinance can be a good option By doing a mortgage refinance to consolidate debt, you can simplify your finances... more
Essential Bathroom Improvements to Increase Your Home Resale Value
There are a number of bathroom improvements you can make to increase your home’s resale value From the bathtub to the sinks to the walls and flooring, bathroom improvements are highly... more
Are HECM Loans a Good Idea?
A reverse mortgage, specifically a home equity conversion mortgage (HECM), is a special type of mortgage that’s useful for a very specific type of older homeowner A HECM loan is a good idea if you... more
Keep Your Home: 4 Tips to Avoid Foreclosure
Homes are often treated as points of pride or as accomplishments for those who purchase them They’re a large investment, and when you find yourself unable to make mortgage payments on your home, it... more
Can I Still Refinance With Late Mortgage Payments
If you have a history of being late on your mortgage payment, you might still be able to refinance However, this will depend on a number of different things, such as how late the payments were, when... more
Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) for Self-Employed Borrowers
If you are self-employed and run your own business, you might be wondering if you can still get home equity loans, including HELOCs, and how different the process might be The short answer is that it... more
Reverse Mortgage vs. Home Equity Loans
When it comes to taking out a loan against the equity in your home, there are at least two options: the reverse mortgage and the home equity loan Both options allow you to tap into the equity... more
Difference Between Discount Points and Lender Credits (Loan Origination Fees)
Homeowners should know many key mortgage terms, and two of the most important terms relate to lowering your home loan interest rate: discount points (also known as, mortgage points or prepaid... more
The Mortgage Underwriting Process: Everything You Need to Know
In order to get a mortgage loan, you’ll have to go through a lender’s mortgage underwriting process – including for a home equity loan or home equity line of credit (HELOC) or cash-out... more
Your mortgage loan got denied in the underwriting process? We’ve got answers.
If you’re getting a mortgage loan, you’ll need to go through a lender’s mortgage underwriting process It’s the step in which your lender reviews your loan application to determine if your... more
How to Lower Your Debt-to-Income Ratio: Proven Strategies Homeowners Use to Improve Their DTI
As a homeowner, one of the most important numbers to keep an eye on is your debt-to-income (DTI) ratio This ratio is a comparison of the amount of debt payments you owe each month to the amount of... more
House Numbers Welcomes OurFamilyPlace.com: A New Chapter for Homeowner Empowerment
We’re thrilled to share exciting news with you today House Numbers has recently acquired OurFamilyPlacecom, a cornerstone in the realm of homeowner financial education This acquisition marks a... more
What Happens When a Mortgage Goes to Underwriting?
When a mortgage loan goes into underwriting, your credit and financial background are reviewed to determine whether your application can be approved This can include an assessment of your credit... more
Save Money by Trying to Lower Your Property Taxes
Owning a home comes with many expenses, and one significant cost is property taxes But did you know that there are ways to potentially lower your property tax bill and save money By understanding how... more
Using Your Home Equity To Fund Your Retirement: Smart Move or Risky Business
Do you want more money for retirement Many homeowners consider using their home equity to fund their retirement to ensure they have enough money to enjoy their golden years However, before moving... more
Understanding Homeowner Debt: Save Thousands by Moving from Bad Debt to Good Debt
Debt is a reality for most homeowners, but not all debt is created equal Understanding the distinction between “good” and “bad” debt can help you optimize your finances and... more
We thought you might ask…why are we building House Numbers?
We created House Numbers to help homeowners gain more financial independence It’s something both personal and meaningful to tens of millions of Americans What that looks like for you will be... more
Refinancing Isn’t Just for Your Primary Mortgage
Refinancing your mortgage can be a game-changer when it comes to managing your finances and achieving your goals Many homeowners are familiar with refinancing their initial purchase mortgage, but did... more
What Documents Do I Need When Applying For A Mortgage
One of the most common questions a loan officer receives from a homeowner is, “What documents do I need when applying for a mortgage” It’s a great question, and the answer will vary somewhat... more
Debunking Solar Panel Myths, Exploring Solar Advancements
Harnessing the power of the sun has become an increasingly popular choice among homeowners who are eager to save on their electricity bills while contributing to a sustainable future With recent... more
Maximizing Your Property: How to Make Money with Your Home
Are you looking for ways to maximize your property and earn some extra income If so, you’ve come to the right place! From renting out a room to storing someone’s vehicle, there are plenty of ways... more
Can I Access My Home Equity with Bad Credit Scores?
Do you need to access your home equity, but you’re worried that your low credit score will prevent you from getting approved You’re in luck! Today having less-than-perfect credit scores is more... more
Home Equity 101: Understanding the Basics and Benefits of Home Equity
Home equity build-up is undoubtedly one of the most beneficial aspects of home ownership In fact, The Federal Reserve reported in a recent study that homeowners accumulate 40 times more wealth than... more
How Much Money Can You Access From Your Home Equity
As a homeowner, you enjoy many benefits that renters don’t One of the biggest is the ability to tap into your home equity, turning it into cash you can use right away What can you do with the cash... more
Consolidating Unsecured Debt With Your Home Equity: A Wise Decision
Every year thousands of homeowners consider consolidating unsecured debt using their home equity But is this a wise decision In this article, I will cover when you should consider consolidating... more
When A Higher Mortgage Rate Might Make Sense
When mortgage rates increase, the last thing homeowners want to do is consider applying for a new mortgage But that could be a mistake, especially if you have equity in your home and are looking to... more
Alternative Ways to Get Equity Out of Your Home
If you need additional funds, tapping into your home equity is one of many options you have This can be useful if you don’t otherwise have enough cash in a checking or savings account and do not... more
How to Use Your Home Equity To Buy Another House (Investment or Second Home)
Do you have plans or dreams to purchase another house — whether investment property or a second home — and looking for creative ways to finance the purchase This is a very common question among... more
Three C’s of Underwriting And How They Impact Your Mortgage Application
Capacity, Credit, and Collateral are the three C’s of underwriting Since they can significantly impact your mortgage application, you should take the time to understand how they are used in the... more
Home Equity Agreements — what are they and why should you care?
Equity sharing agreements — also known as home equity investments (HEI) — are a relatively new and often misunderstood way to get cash from your home equity Below I will explain what they are,... more
5 Ways to Access Your Home Equity
If you’re a homeowner looking to access your home equity for cash, you’ve got a few options to choose from You can pick a HELOC, home equity loan, cash-out refinance, reverse mortgage, or home... more
When it’s smart to access your home equity with rising interest rates
Just like your doctor shouldn’t recommend that everyone smoke cigarettes, an expert in home wealth management should not recommend that everyone refinance their mortgage This is especially true... more
Read These 4 Simple Investment Strategies Before You Invest That Extra Cash
As a homeowner, how do you decide what to do with extra cash to improve your financial situation I ask people about this all the time, and few are confident in their answer Often, they settled on a... more
LTV, DTI, IR, FICO: Four Pillars of Home Financial Wellness
Homeowners often ask, what else is important for my home financial wellness This may come up when accessing home equity, planning for retirement, understanding the right time to refinance, or... more
5 Common Mistakes We Heard From Homeowners Who Pay Off Their Mortgage Early
Ever wondered why people who earn millions and can afford to pay cash for their home would still have a mortgage The short of it is because they will be millions of dollars richer after 30... more
Why Savvy Homeowners Track Home Equity Not Home Value
What’s my home worth Whether you’re checking out recent home sales in your neighborhood or snooping a neighbor’s home value on Google, this is what we all tend to focus on It’s the biggest... more
How to Access Your Home Equity Without a Great Credit Score
Accessing home equity is a hot topic among homeowners we work with — whether for retirement, home improvement, to consolidate debt, make an investment, or pay an unexpected expense Homeowners with... more
6 Common Mistakes Homeowners Make When Accessing Their Home Equity
Many of us who have owned a home for at least a couple years are sitting on a lot of home equity because of the run-up in home prices over the past decade (even if we also feel poorer day-to-day,... more
The Truth About Home Equity Conversion Mortgages
Does the quote above sound like something you may have said I hear some version of this all the time from homeowners that I speak with On the one hand, the run-up in home prices since 2012 has left... more
Why Wealthy People Have Mortgages
Why would someone who makes millions of dollars per year, and could easily pay for their house in cash, still have a mortgage Said another way, why do rich people feel so strongly about taking on... more
Debunk a common myth of PMI
In this blog, I want to debunk a common myth that we often hear from homeowners: you have to wait 5 or 10 years before you can stop paying private mortgage insurance (PMI) Not true! I confess: my... more
9 Ways to Save Money on Homeownership in an Uncertain Economy
There’s a lot of anxiety brewing about the economy right now It’s understandable — inflation is high, interest rates increased quickly, companies have announced layoffs or hiring freezes... more
Best way to Remove PMI from Mortgage Without a Refi
I came across this topic on Reddit and found this question: Best way to get rid of PMI from my mortgage without refi (source) The best way to remove private mortgage insurance (PMI) from your... more
What Do Appraisers Look For When You’re Refinancing?
When a homeowner begins the refinance process, the bank or lender will usually send an appraiser to the home to determine its current value The home’s appraised value helps the lender know how much... more
