Renters’ Top Ten Requested Amenities

Amenities that were seen as “nice-to-have items” are now “must-haves.” For example, balconies and furnished apartments are in greater demand. “More millennials are moving between cities—and they’re moving fairly often,” researchers note. “For someone who’s constantly moving, lugging furniture from one spot to the next is inconvenient. Furnished apartments offer renters’ the benefit of not …

Ways to Maintain a Debt-Free Lifestyle & Still Live Comfortably

Living comfortably in the lifestyle you desire can be done without acquiring an overbearing amount of debt. The reality is that with a few simple alterations in both your habits and your mindset, you will be able to have a comfortable life with the things most important to you. The most important way to maintain …

5 Reasons to Consider Downsizing After Retirement

It can be hard to let go. It’s the home you raised your family in. Perhaps you have lived there for decades and have lifelong friends in the neighborhood. Perhaps, but there are five good reasons why you should consider downsizing after retirement and here they are. Manage Retirement Income Trying to manage your retirement …

4 Credit Score Saving Tips for Home Buyers

Are you ready to purchase a home but don’t know where to start? Perhaps the most important step in buying a home begins with your credit. Your credit score plays an integral part in actually securing the funds to purchase your home. Since most of us don’t have thousands of dollars to pay out of …

How Much Home Can Your Budget Afford?

Lenders Often Use the 28/36 Method of Qualifying Buyers The monthly payment cannot exceed 28 percent of your monthly income, and the total of all debt payments is limited to 36 percent of your income. The Lender Percentages Are Usually Maximums Not everyone can afford the largest home they qualify for. You need to look …

Should You Rent or Should You Own?

It seems like everyone either owns a home or is saving to purchase a home. Certainly, there are significant financial and tax reasons for owning a home. While you typically only make a down payment of 10 or 20 percent of the home’s cost, you retain all price appreciation on the home. Part of each …

4 Things to Consider When Buying a Vacation Home

Over the last few years, the number of people investing in vacation homes has more than doubled, according to the National Association of Realtors. If you’re one of the many homebuyers considering a vacation home, there are some important considerations to make before jumping into a purchase. Location Whether you’re looking to slip your toes in the …

Think You’re Ready to Become a Landlord?

Ever wonder if an investment property might bring you a little closer to achieving the small fortune you’ve always dreamed of? Well, be sure to consider the good, the bad, and the ugly before deciding this is the moneymaker you want to pursue. As a landlord, dealing with tenants can feel like a full-time job. …

Looking to Buy a New Construction Home? 5 Things to Consider

Is the builder good? Every new home development looks great as its being built. To get a true idea of how good the builder really is, take a look at communities that the same builder has built in the past, to see how the homes and community have stood up over the years. Talking to …