Lowering our energy usage not only contributes to lowering our carbon footprint, it also reduces our household energy costs. 

There are benefits to both scenarios.  Understanding the factors that are involved in each will guide you to make the right decision for your particular situation.  Finances, the real estate market, and even personalities are factors in which to consider when trying to determine if you should buy or sell first.  Both scenarios have pros and cons worth considering which we’ll look at below.

At a time when mortgage rates are so low, more and more people are considering purchasing rental properties in hopes of growing their nest egg with passive income.  While owning a rental property (investment property) has a number of financial advantages, there are many factors to consider in order to make being a landlord worth the hassle.

Not everyone’s idea of a dream home is the same.  Some buyers look for a home that they can buy, move into, and not have to put a lot of extra effort into.  Others may find their dream home is in need of some tender loving care.  Or, maybe they really want to live in a certain area, but they cannot afford the newer homes available there.  Purchasing a fixer-upper might be the right choice.  But how do you go about qualifying for a mortgage, making a down payment, and finding the money for those renovations?  Many believe their only option is to wait to build equity in the home and then take out a home equity loan.  Or perhaps you think you might take more time to save and then refinance your home.   While those are viable options, there are home renovation loans available to buyers that can help turn your dream of owning a fixer-upper into a reality.

Whether you are a first-time home buyer, purchasing a vacation home or refinancing, it is important to understand what a pre-payment penalty is and if it is a part of your contract with your lender.