If you spend any time around homeowners, you’ll probably hear at least one of them talk about making an extra mortgage (or principal) payment to pay off their mortgage faster. This process is sometimes called mortgage curtailment or a principal reduction (although most people don’t use that term in casual conversation). It’s a common strategy,
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Whether you’re looking to buy a house, rent an apartment or invest in commercial property, the best way to peruse the market is through a real estate app. Thanks to technology, house hunting is now literally at your fingertips, and it’s easier than ever to buy a house online. All that’s standing between you and
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Let’s talk credit! Credit is money you borrow and must repay. Depending on the type of credit account it is, you can use it for different purposes, like buying a boat, funding a wedding or buying an investment property. There are two main types of credit available to borrowers – closed-end credit and open-end credit.
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If you’re wondering how the government and other people will know your house is actually yours, then you’ll want to understand how deeds work. There are several types of deeds, but the ones you’ll want to seek out are known as warranty deeds because they can help protect you and your rights as a homeowner.
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Being a co-signer on an auto loan (or any loan, for that matter) is a big decision. It’s a service that can feel very rewarding, which is why co-signers are typically trusted friends or family. But it also comes with financial risk. If the principal borrower experiences money troubles – a job loss, a drop
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Currently, the U.S. Department of Education has paused student loan payments until August 31, 2022.[1] But, once payments restart, paying school loans may impact your ability to save for a house, build emergency funds or travel. Is there a way to have your school loans forgiven? There are steps you can take toward student loans
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Homeownership is usually a lifelong journey. For many people, sizing up happens over time as families and budgets grow. If you’re thinking about moving from your current home into a bigger home, we’ll help you determine whether it makes sense and what factors you should consider along the way. What Are the Signs You Are
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Imagine, if you will, a pickle barrel at a grocery store. It’s filled with pickles you can take out, put in a bag and pay for. Of course, you only pay for the pickles you take out. And once you eat the pickles you bought, you can buy more pickles – again and again –
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Mortgages can last for 10, 15 or 30 years. Naturally, this creates ongoing responsibilities for both the borrower and the lender. If a mortgage is active, it will need to be continually serviced, and the process often contains a lot of moving parts. While one mortgage lender will want to manage your mortgage loan for
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In the U.S., most people own their home for about 13 years, after which they hope to sell the property for a profit.[2] Naturally, you’re probably curious about home appreciation and how much it affects the value of your home today and in the future.  Understanding home appreciation is important because it can give you
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When it comes to owning a home, some surprises aren’t as welcome as others. If you just found out that your outstanding mortgage balance is more than your home is worth, you have what’s known as an underwater mortgage, also known as an upside-down mortgage. If you have an upside-down mortgage, don’t panic. You have
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You’ve probably seen advertisements promoting 0% APR (annual percentage rate) credit cards or adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) with interest rates well below the going rates. These are two examples of teaser rates.  A teaser rate (or introductory rate) is a low, temporary credit card or loan interest rate companies use to market their financial products to
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The internet has given us countless innovations over the last several years. And these days, you can buy just about anything online, including your next home. With an eMortgage (also known as an electronic mortgage), borrowers can potentially move through the entire home buying process, including closing, without ever getting off their couch. Given the
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Who among us is immune to the occasional big expense? Sure, it’s great when you’re financially prepared to deal with the cost of a big-ticket item or service. But sometimes you’re blindsided by the unexpected: a costly medical procedure, a home repair, a sick pet or your car breaking down.  When your life needs financing,
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Mortgage delinquency is a term used to describe the state of a mortgage when the borrower falls behind on their payments. This can happen for a variety of reasons, and it can lead to plenty of consequences and stress. Left unaddressed, mortgage delinquency can lead to foreclosure proceedings. If you’ve begun to fall behind on
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Whether you’re buying your first car or looking for an upgrade, you may need an auto loan to get behind the wheel. A lender will use a borrower’s credit history and credit scores to determine how reliable they are at repaying debt. Without that history, it’s harder for lenders to determine creditworthiness. However, lenders can
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Federal student loans are one of the most accessible ways to fund an education. But that doesn’t mean making those monthly payments after graduation will be easy. It’s important to stay on top of your payments because even a single missed payment can hurt your credit score. This can make it harder for future you
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