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6 Tips to Manage Your Money Wisely
Do you have confidence manage your money, or do you find it difficult to budget and plan how to spend and save your income wisely? If it’s the latter, you’re not alone. According to the Financial Health Network, 70% of individuals struggle to achieve financial...
Steps to Take Now to Get a Head Start on Filing Your 2022 Income Taxes
The 2022 tax filing season, which starts on January 23 and concludes on April 18, is when we are required to file our personal income tax return. While taxes are a simple process for many workers, it’s better to give yourself plenty of time to prepare for filing...
Homebuyers Can Purchase a $472,030+ Cost Home with an FHA Home Loan in 2023
Great news for first-time homebuyers and other homebuyers who want to purchase a home with a lower down payment and credit score requirements. Starting January 1, 2023, the new FHA loan limit will be $472,030 for a single-family home in most parts of the country....
Buy a Higher Cost Home in 2023 With Increased Conforming Mortgage Loan Limits
In response to increased home prices in 2022, the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) has announced a 12.21% increase to the baseline “conforming” conventional loan limit for mortgages to be acquired by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac in 2023. As of 1 January 2023,...
Documents Homebuyers Need to Provide for a Mortgage Loan Application
When you apply for a personal loan, auto loan, or mortgage, your lender will want to verify your identity, employment, income, credit, and assets. Being prepared with the documents that demonstrate your creditworthiness will not only help you to complete the...
Who Gets the House? How to Protect Yourself Financially in a Divorce.
Going through a divorce is a life-altering change that often leads to emotional stress as you and your spouse grieve the end of a marriage. Furthermore, financial anxiety can transpire when you and your spouse have to make significant decisions about the division...
How the Fed and Higher Interest Rates Can Affect Your 2022 Financial Plans
The cost to borrow money is getting very expensive. In an effort to reduce inflation, on July 27th, the Federal Open Market Committee (FOMC) raised the federal funds rate for the fourth time this year. Just like the previous interest rate hike on June 15th, this...
4 Ways to Increase Home Equity Faster
Building equity through homeownership is the primary way most people build wealth to achieve financial stability and security. Each monthly mortgage payment that pays down the principal of your home loan adds equity. The more equity you have in your home provides a...
6 Tips to Improve the Effectiveness of Your Online Home Search
Hooray! You have finally determined how much house you can afford, have obtained your mortgage pre-qualification letter, and are ready to shop for your new home. If you have decided to begin your home search online, you made a wise decision. According to a 2022...
How to Buy a Home on Any Salary
Are you looking to buy a home but uncertain that your current income will not be enough to afford one? The nationwide shortage of affordable housing and higher interest rates have some people concerned that they may need to hold off buying their first home....
9 Things to Consider When Buying a New Construction Home
Do you dream of building your dream home or just want to be the first person to live in your home? Maybe you're finding it challenging to locate an affordable contemporary home that checks off all your boxes? If you've answered "Yes" to any of these scenarios, you...
Factors That Influence Your Credit Score
Your credit score is determined by several factors, including payment history, the amount of credit you are using, length of your credit history, new credit accounts, and the types of credit you have open. Understanding the factors that affect your credit score...
How Consumer-Permissioned Data Protects Your Personal Identifying Information
When you conduct financial transactions online, you often risk exposing your personal identifying information (PII) to criminals who can use that information for identity theft, fraud, and scams. Types of sensitive personal identifying information that criminals...