Caring for loved ones at both ends of the age spectrum often means your own financial needs come last. It may be harder to save for retirement, maintain your mental health, or stay afloat amid rising costs and job uncertainty. The best approach is proactive. Organize your financial and legal affairs now to reduce stress […]
Appraisals and Inspections: Know the Full Story
Before you close on the purchase of your new home, your lender will order an appraisal of the property you are buying. What happens during the appraisal process During this process, an appraiser tours both the home’s interior and exterior. The appraiser will take photos and inspect the property. They will review public records, check […]
ARM Yourself with Knowledge: Smart Mortgage Choices Now
The interest rate of an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, can rise or fall during its term. That’s the main difference between ARMs and standard 15-year or 30-year fixed-rate mortgages. ARMs start out with a fixed period During this period, an ARM’s interest rate will remain fixed, meaning that it won’t rise or fall. This fixed […]
Design a Budget: 50-30-20, For Future Security
The 50-30-20 budget rule outlines that you should spend up to 50% of your after-tax income on monthly needs and bills that you must pay. You should then save 20% of your after-tax income. That leaves the remaining 30% of your income, which you can spend on items and activities that you want but don’t […]
Vacation Home Tax: Know Your Deductions Now
Have you ever daydreamed about how nice it would be to own a house in the woods or along the shore? Here are some financial pointers to consider if owning a vacation home is on your bucket list. Are you buying the home for personal use or as an investment property? Foreign vacation properties are […]