Sure, a brand new front door and lovely landscaping might catch your eye as you drive up to an open house or new property on the market. But as you drive up, have you thought about looking up? As it turns out, tree cover has a tree-mendous impact on... (Read More)

Do you find yourself thinking, "I have been renting for long enough. Maybe it's time to buy my own home?" The truth is, home ownership can have quite a few benefits — benefits that may help you make the leap! First and foremost, owning a home... (Read More)

There's a lot to like about a 15-year mortgage: It typically has a lower rate than a 30-year loan and can be paid off in half the time. But there's one big downside to this type of loan: You're locked into a higher monthly payment. That's... (Read More)

If you lose your credit, debit or ATM card, how difficult would it be for someone to clean out your account? Easier than you might think. More than one-quarter of all credit and debit card passwords could be guessed by attempting just 20... (Read More)

Getting ready to buy a home? Now isn't the time to make any major financial changes. Major money moves while you're in the market for a new home can make the mortgage application process much more challenging. Here are a few tips: 1. Think... (Read More)

Preparing your home for inspection will not only help present your property in the best condition for sale, it will also help prevent any delays during the closing process. According to the American Society of Home Inspectors, a proper home... (Read More)

In the market for a new home? If you're self-employed, getting a home loan can be a bit tricky.  During the real estate boom, self-employed borrowers were able to get "stated income" loans that required little in the way of documentation. But too... (Read More)

Do you know how much of an impact your credit score has on your monthly mortgage payment? It's more than you might think. Consider this: A home buyer with a credit score between 760 and 850 that qualifies for a mortgage rate of 4.093 percent... (Read More)

Home buyers love big homes. In fact, many people dream of owning the biggest and most beautiful home on the block. But when it comes to real estate, bigger is not always better! Does your budget call for a smaller home than you originally... (Read More)