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Spooky Times for First-Time Home Buyers
It's no secret that the housing market is experiencing spooky times, with home prices around all-time highs and mortgage rates at multi-decade highs.
Rising Interest Rates - Impact on Finances
Over the past 18 months, rising interest rates have put considerable pressure on markets. However, remember that despite the borrowing cost has increased, we are finally earning some interest on our cash.
Time to Refinance Your Mortgage?
Mortgage rates are at historically low levels, and many are refinancing to take advantage of this. How do you know if refinancing makes sense for you? You’ll need to consider three things – closing costs, the interest rate differential, and how long you plan to stay in your home. We explain all three in detail so you can make the right decision for your situation.
Pay Off Your Mortgage or Invest the Extra Cash?
Paying off your mortgage can be a very attractive option when you find yourself with extra money. Not so fast, though! Is paying that mortgage off really your best financial option? While being mortgage-free can definitely be a good thing, you should be sure it doesn’t make more sense to invest that money. We’ll walk you through what you should be thinking about to make the best decision for your situation.
Today’s Housing Market: Finance Options for Buying Before Selling
Timing the sale of your home with the purchase of a new house can be tricky. If your selling and buying cycles are out of sync, you do have options for making your down payment. Read on for the details.
Do Reverse Mortgages Deserve Their Bad Rap?
What do you think of when you hear the term “reverse mortgage”? Chances are it might not be positive. But the reverse mortgages of yesteryear are being replaced by more evolved loans that can be helpful to some. The key is to understand the changes in the newer mortgages, and then to talk with your advisor to be sure it’s a viable strategy in your comprehensive financial plan. We have the details…
20 Percent Down Payment - Debunked or Not?
A 20% down payment used to be the rule of thumb when purchasing a home. Avoiding private mortgage insurance (PMI) and lowering the interest rate on your loan were some of the benefits. But times have changed! If you’re unable to afford a 20% down payment, you have options - but be sure you understand the pros and cons first!
