Smart Ways to Start Saving for a Down Payment
Planning for Your Future Home Saving for a down payment is one of the most important—and often most intimidating—steps in the homebuying journey. Whether you’re planning to buy in the next year or simply getting started, a thoughtful savings strategy can make the process much more manageable. The good news? You don’t need to come […]
Should You Make Extra Mortgage Payments? What to Know
Paying Down Your Mortgage Faster For many homeowners, making an extra mortgage payment here and there seems like a smart move—and in many cases, it is. Paying a little more toward your principal can shorten the life of your loan and reduce the total amount of interest paid. But before you start sending in extra […]
How to Budget for Homeownership: Beyond the Mortgage Payment
The Real Cost of Owning a Home Buying a home is an exciting milestone—but it also comes with a range of new financial responsibilities. While most buyers focus on the monthly mortgage payment, that’s only part of the picture. Understanding the full cost of homeownership helps you plan better, avoid surprises, and feel more confident […]
Home Energy Savings Tips During Summer Months
Keep Cool Without Breaking the Bank Summer brings longer days, warmer weather, and unfortunately—higher energy bills. Between running the air conditioning, longer daylight hours, and increased appliance use, your home’s energy consumption can spike during this time of year. The good news? A few smart changes can help you stay cool while keeping costs under […]
How Much Income Do I Need to Buy a House?
Homeownership is not just for the ultra wealthy. While income is an important factor when buying a house, knowing exactly how much you need to earn is not as simple. Most people who buy a home use a mortgage loan to finance the majority of the purchase price. Lenders consider an applicant’s debt-to-income (DTI) ratio […]
Understanding an Appraisal Contingency
When buying a new home, you have the chance to put in a number of contingencies to the purchase contract to protect you during the process. A contingency is a condition that must be met in order for the contract to remain valid. If it is not met to the buyer’s satisfaction, they are able […]
Should I Buy or Rent?
The biggest question those considering homeownership need to answer is simple: Should I buy or rent my home? Here is a look at the pros and cons of each. Buying Pros: Cons: Renting Pros: Cons: You will need to consider your individual situation to decide which path is right for you. If you are moving […]
Finding the Right Location to Buy a Home
They say that buying a home is all about location, location, location. But what if you do not know what location is right for you? Here are a few factors to consider when deciding on just the right place to put down your roots. Once you have an idea where you may want to look, […]
Expenses First Time Home Buyers Need to Save For
If you are getting ready to purchase your first home, there are a few expenses that you need to prepare for before getting to the final closing table. Some are even required before you start searching or complete the sale. Here are five major expenses that first time home buyers should start saving for when […]
5 Strategies to Save for a Home
Buying a home is a big purchase, one that takes time to save up to afford. Many homebuyers use a mortgage to finance the majority of the cost, but still need to save up a down payment. Here are five ways to build up your savings to get you into a new house sooner. Using […]
