The phrase “as-is” shows up often in real estate listings, and it tends to raise eyebrows. For some buyers, it feels like an opportunity – a chance to get a deal on a property that others might overlook. For others, it sounds like a trap.
You’ve probably heard it’s good to build equity in your home. But what is home equity, exactly? How can you calculate the equity you have in your home? What can you even use that home equity to do?
While you’ve heard that your house is your biggest asset, you might be unsure how to take advantage of the fact. Property is illiquid–which means, it isn’t ready money you can just use.
If your child is making the transition to college this year, you yourself may be anticipating a transition of your own: the “empty nest.”
Technically, the “Accessory Dwelling Unit” (ADU) has been around since the 1980s, though the concept itself is much older. If the phrase doesn’t ring a bell, you might know it better as “granny house” or “backyard cottage.”
It’s a universal truth that the vast majority of homeowners are sitting on an enormous amount of equity. That equity is most often trapped in their homes, where it can’t be used to help them with their pressing needs.
We’ve long considered ourselves privileged to empower homeowners to achieve financial freedom and wellbeing by helping them tap into their home equity.
Not every home improvement project requires a contractor or a hefty budget. There are plenty of projects you can tackle yourself. All you need is a little time, effort, and a trip to your local hardware store.
Struggling with high-interest credit card balances or juggling multiple monthly payments? Consolidating your debt with a home equity loan or HELOC could help you save money, simplify repayment, and reduce financial stress.
Planning to upgrade your kitchen, add a bathroom, or tackle long-overdue repairs? Before you start swinging the hammer, it’s smart to get clear on how you’ll finance the work.
Let’s clear up the confusion. Second mortgages sometimes get a bad rap. They’re often lumped in with risky debt or financial desperation. But for many homeowners, they can actually be a practical, strategic tool.
It might seem like keeping your debt low should guarantee a strong credit score – but that’s not always the case. In fact, it’s entirely possible to have a good debt-to-income (DTI) ratio while still having a low FICO score.
LTV, or Loan-to-Value ratio, is a key metric used by lenders when assessing the risk of a loan, particularly mortgages. It essentially compares the amount of the loan to the appraised value of the property being financed.