Equity is the percentage of market value that you own in your home. Your lender owns the rest, so your goal should be to pay the lender’s share (the principal) down and build your share (equity) up.

You don’t need to go to extreme lengths to pay down your mortgage ...

Crazy fashion trends do more than strain closet space. They can sometimes send the message that trendiness is more important than building wealth. Here’s to save the money you spend on new clothes for something more rewarding – a down payment on your own home.

Reduce your wardrobe. Consign, donate ...

How do you know if you have your home insured for the right amount? Your lender may require insurance to cover the loan amount, but what you owe and actual replacement costs can be vastly different.

According to the National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC), replacement costs are the ...

While most tax costs that affect homeowners are determined by the taxing authorities in each state, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act will affect property ownership for everyone.

Unless Congress does some tinkering with the Act after it was signed into law in December 2017, corporations will receive a massive ...

Merry Christmas, homebuyer! Don’t cash Mom and Dad’s check yet! Your loan could be denied if the money isn’t carefully documented.

Why? Gifts can cause confusion. Is your parents’ money a gift or a loan? Unless the terms are clearly defined, don’t mix the gift with your own funds ...

There’s nothing like a new year to pump enthusiasm into your life, so what do the experts say about the housing forecast?

Unemployment remains low: Despite tens of thousands of people losing their homes as well as businesses and hospitality services crippled due to the storms, the unemployment rate ...

Depending on the area where you live, your new home is subject to annual property taxation by your local appraisal district to pay for schools, infrastructure, and other public needs. But what you may not realize is that the rate you pay may be wildly different from the rate your ...

 Whether you’re a buyer or seller, your agent will give you a market snapshot known as the comparative market analysis (CMA). Comparisons are based on similar homes within a given search area, using size, age, features, condition, location, whether the homes have sold recently and which are currently on ...

You’ve got a shot at a new job and you want to buy a home. How will a brief work history impact your mortgage loan?

Lenders are most concerned with your ability to repay your mortgage loan, including the likelihood you’ll keep your income and whether you’ll be making enough ...

For many homebuyers, putting 20 percent down on a home makes little financial sense, yet consumers resist using private mortgage insurance (PMI). Here are a few reasons why PMI is a good move.

PMI protects the lender and you. PMI protects the lender in case you default on your loan ...