How will the new mortgage rules affect you? If you're applying for a loan, whether it’s a primary loan to buy property or to refinance, the new mortgage rules matter to you. The new mortgage rules went into effect on January 10th. Basically they say that lenders have to make sure borrowers can afford to repay [...]
QM, or the qualified mortgage rule, kicks in Jan. 10. That means that mortgage lending is about to change somewhat as lenders deal with QM changes and work to meet all the rules they must follow to make a qualified mortgage. If you’re feeling confused—it is a tricky subject—this QM Q&A should clear some things [...]
In a big surprise for the housing market, more American homeowners emerged from deeply underwater mortgages at the end of the year—about a million more than were even expected. During the course of 2013, 1.6 million homeowners moved away from being deeply underwater, which is when a home is worth at least 25 percent less [...]
The rising costs of mortgage insurance could make FHA loans a bad deal for many homebuyers. The Federal Housing Administration, or FHA, allows for low down payments for buyers even if that buyer has a low credit score, but it comes at a high cost. http://youtu.be/2i6Ir-kvImg Many buyers who need a mortgage to buy [...]
If you’re wondering how to rebuild your finances in 2014, here are some money-saving strategies you can use. Now is the perfect time of year to start saving money and making smart financial decisions by taking a hard look at where you are with your money this year. Here are a couple examples to give you [...]
Money may not buy long-term happiness, but it can provide you with opportunities you may not have without it. If you have planned properly, you will have many options open to you during retirement —you can work and continue to earn an income, or you can volunteer your time free of charge. But if you [...]
Americans today continue to be disciplined with their spending habits. Saving money continues to be one of consumers’ top financial goals, but many have taken on more risk than they would prefer in order to play catch-up and pay off debt, according to a recent study from Northwestern Mutual. The 2013 Planning and Progress Study, [...]
Thinking of buying a vacation rental home? Does it make financial sense for your family to use the home, or to use it as an investment? Q: I am trying to figure out if the numbers would make sense for my wife and me to buy a vacation rental house near our home in Atlanta. [...]
Homes are more affordable than they’ve been in decades, and mortgage interest rates are at historic lows. As a result, many first-time homebuyers feel that this is the perfect time to jump into the real estate market. Buying a home is exciting, but it can also come with unforeseen economic obstacles. If you are a [...]
Nearly four years after Congress passed the federal Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, one of its most prominent features will begin in October—the Health Insurance Marketplace. According to a recent survey done for InsuranceQuotes.com by Princeton Survey Research Associates International, only 10 percent of Americans claim to be very knowledgeable about the Affordable Care [...]
