Putting pen to paper can give you an idea of whether you should remodel your existing home or move. Steps: Determine what remodeling projects you want done. Get estimates from contractors. Ask a realtor what your current home value is and what it would be after remodeling. Subtract remodeling costs Read more…
Contacting customer service can be a frustrating endeavor. Shift the balance of power into your hands and get what you deserve: efficient and effective problem resolution. Steps: Get organized. Have all of the necessary documents – serial numbers, product IDs, bills and service agreements – readily available before contacting a Read more…
You don’t have to double your debt when you’re raising twins. Knowing a few tricks of the trade can keep your pocketbook, if not your sanity, intact. Steps: Write down what you can afford to pay monthly for clothes, food and other needs. Stick to it. Have twins share items Read more…
Being in debt is an emotional experience. Learning how to deal with these emotions can make the experience more bearable and lead you to financial recovery. Steps: Acknowledge that you are in debt and have gotten in over your head. Forgive yourself and focus on repaying the debt. Examine and Read more…
The down payment, or amount of cash you’ll have to pay toward the actual purchase of a home, is determined by the lender as a percentage of the value of the house. Steps: Pick up a homes guide from any real estate agent. These are also sometimes available at your Read more…
Refinancing is the process of replacing an existing mortgage with a new one. You might consider refinancing to: Cut costs: If interest rates have fallen significantly since you got your loan, refinancing may decrease your monthly payment and reduce the interest you pay over the term of the loan. Change the type Read more…
The process of applying for and getting a conventional mortgage loan usually takes just a few weeks. Government loans, and conventional loans issued to borrowers with serious credit problems, can take up to a few months to process. Once you’ve chosen a lender to work with, the process should include Read more…
A mortgage lender is a bank or other financial institution that issues mortgages. Traditionally, home buyers looked for a lender after they had found a house to buy. These days, real estate agents typically encourage home buyers to work with a lender before looking at properties. There are two good Read more…
Once you’ve determined how big a mortgage you can afford, your next steps (unless you’ve qualified for a government loan or another special situation) should be to choose your: Type of mortgage: Fixed-rate or adjustable-rate Term of mortgage: 15 or 30 years Fixed-Rate vs. Adjustable-Rate Mortgages The most important factor in your Read more…
Before you even begin shopping for a home or a mortgage, first you need to review your financial situation by assessing factors such as the amount of money that you make, spend, and owe each month. To do a complete assessment: Review your personal financial situation. Determine how large of Read more…