Mint.com is Closing: Here are the best Mint alternatives.
Formerly known as Quicken Loans, Rocket Mortgage is one of the best-known mortgage lenders in America, thanks in part to a comprehensive advertising campaign. But does it live up to the hype, and does it outperform its more conventional competitors? Let’s dive in and see what Rocket Mortgage does – and doesn’t do – and…
Shopping for a new home can be fun. You get to drive around town, check out different homes, and decide what will work best for you. Shopping around for a mortgage? Slightly less fun. But, still, it’s what you need to do if you want to make sure you’re getting the best possible deal on…
When we bought our first home back in 1993, we did so with a down payment of 5%. A decade ago, you could even find home loans that didn’t require any down payment. Since the real estate market crash, though, lenders have tightened their underwriting requirements. Today, interest rates on mortgages are soaring and zero-down…
So much of the financial advice being given recommends paying off a mortgage early. It’s a tempting idea because there’s no better feeling in the financial world than owning the home you live in outright. But is that the right strategy for everyone? I would argue that it isn’t, and here are six reasons never…
I recently took a new job in another state, which caused me to sell my home and find a place to rent. I’ve now been renting for over a year and must say that I love it. I like not having to worry about repairs or paying property taxes. But one of the things I…
By thinking through your individual needs and wants, as well as saving up and positioning your finances, you can successfully get through buying your first home and make the most of your money. Getting ready to buy your first home is a big deal. It involves a lot of preparation, saving, and legwork. So before…
Saving for a down payment to buy a home is both exciting and overwhelming. When my wife and I were saving to buy our first home, I thought we’d never have enough for the down payment. But somehow we came up with the money. One of the keys to our success was saving the cash…
The decision to pay off your mortgage early is a controversial one. But for some who have tackled many of their big financial goals and erased other debt, putting their home mortgage in their crosshairs can make sense. Since your mortgage is such a large, long-term debt, it can be surprisingly easy to pay it…
If you’re looking to buy a new home – particularly if it’s your first home – you’re probably asking yourself a few big questions. “How much house can I afford?” is likely at the top of that list. It makes sense, too, as this is a pretty significant concern. Ensuring that you can not only…