With uncertainty over mortgage rates growing and new Fannie- and Freddie-backed programs rolling out next year, those seeking to buy a home will continue to contend with changing standards. If you’re planning to become a homeowner, take these steps before borrowing.
You know that moving into a new home can be one of life’s biggest stressors – the packing, the paperwork, the unpacking and of course finding the nearest coffee shop. Making your new house feel like your home can help alleviate some of this stress and provide a safe-haven for some much needed relaxation. “Everyone has a different sense of …
The total value of all the homes in the United States is expected to end 2014 at $27.5 trillion, a 6.7 percent increase from last year and the third consecutive overall increase, according to Zillow. Homes lost $6.1 trillion in value between December 2006 and December 2011. The cumulative increase in home values is slightly smaller than 2013’s 8 percent …
There’s no better time than the present to alter your financial situation, and consumers can cement their futures financially by adopting smart habits. “Being mindful of your financial goals and knowing how credit works are important tools to effectively managing personal finances,” says ACA International CEO Pat Morris. “Good financial habits can help ensure a sound financial future, and being …
The holidays are here, and that means there’s plenty of reason to celebrate. Whether you’re throwing a party for the first time or you’re continuing a long-running annual tradition, hosting a festive celebration with friends and family is a lot of work and always worth it. This year, take your party to the next level to truly impress your guests …
The Federal Housing Administration (FHA) recently announced the agency’s new schedule of loan limits for 2015. These loan limits are effective for case numbers assigned on or after January 1, 2015, and will remain in effect through the end of the year. FHA’s calculation for maximum loan limits in high cost metropolitan areas of the country will remain the same as …
Money worries know no age limit, and financial health is important for everyone – which could explain why financial pledges are among the most common New Year’s resolutions. Still, Millennials are a bit more likely than any other age group to be tempted into spending too much, according to research by the Barna Group.
No-one wants to get robbed on Christmas Eve, so we created this infographic with a Dr. Seuss twist. With a series of useful home security tips written in rhyme paired with illustrations of The Grinch sneaking around an unsuspecting home, this infographic is both fun and useful.
This holiday season, will you be one of the 197 million Americans to shop online, according to eMarketer? Holiday shoppers will go online to buy everything from gift cards to cars, flat screen TVs to smartphones. And at least some of them will have their holiday spirit dampened by scammers who use a variety of schemes to convince victims to …
