In honor of Military Saves, I thought it would be appropriate to share how I, an Army veteran who had over $32,000 of credit card debt, was able to pay off debt by taking a few lessons from the military and applying them to my finances. Military Saves is a week when the military community [...]
Plenty of people know the anxiety of overbearing debt. According to one source, households in the United States average $15,422 in credit card debt; $34,703 in student loan debt; and $149,782 in mortgage debt. With all of that pressure, many people think it’s impossible to improve their financial situations. However, with some work and smart [...]
I purchased my first home a year ago, but since then interest rates have dropped and my credit has improved. Can I refinance already? Yes, in theory you can, but you have to figure out if you should. It depends largely on whether you have a prepayment penalty built into your mortgage contract, what you [...]
Applying for a loan modification can affect your credit score while you wait for your loan application to be processed. Q: Unfortunately, I am stuck with one of the worst monster mega banks for my loan modification. When I applied for a loan modification, they classified me as "delinquent" while they were processing my application. [...]
In the nearly 20 years that we’ve been writing this column, we’ve offered New Year’s Resolutions for home buyer and home sellers, plus New Year’s Financial Resolutions that everyone can use to start their year off right. This is the first year since 2007 that we’re starting with a brighter outlook for real estate. Home [...]
Cancelling Credit Cards to Get Cash Out Refinance. You have an excellent credit score, great credit history, plenty of equity, and yet lender wants borrower to cancel many of his credit cards to qualify for a refinance. Q: I have a situation in my mortgage refinance process and need your advice. My lender wants me [...]
As we start fresh every year, I try to share my list of resolutions to get your finances in order and help you buy a house. The real estate market hasn’t had much good news for the past few years, and mortgage lenders have gotten even tighter with their lending regulations. This isn’t a particularly [...]
Credit debt and unemployment affect holiday consumer spending. Consumer spending this holiday shopping season will be affected by credit debt and unemployment. Holiday shoppers consumer spending habits affected by credit card debt and unemployment this holiday shopping season. Credit card companies say the decrease in holiday consumer spending is creating a "credit winter."
Last year, I found myself shopping at a major retailer. The store was having a great sale, and I found a fair number of clothes that fit me, all at an excellent price. When I was checking out, the cashier offered me a big discount if I opened up a major credit card co-branded with [...]
Decide to payoff an investment property or pay down the mortgage. Don't pay off an investment property and pay down the mortgage at the same time. Consider interest rates on loans before paying off mortgage loans on an investment property or primary home mortgage. Refinance mortgage loans before you pay down a primary home mortgage or investment property mortgage loan.
