Blog

Protect Your Best Investment with These Home Maintenance Tips

For most Americans, our homes are our single largest investment. Keeping up with routine home maintenance protects your quality of life – as well as your family's best investment.

Homeownership

What Is Mortgage Refinancing & How Does Refinancing Work?

The mortgage refinance process can be intimidating, and making mistakes can cost you thousands and undermine your financial goals. Here's how to refinance with ease.

Homeownership

How to Use Home Equity for Home Improvements

Your home is a major investment, but it's also one in which you live, work, and make memories. Using home equity to make home improvements, without debt, is often a win-win investment.

Homeownership

#NewYearNewPortfolio: How to Freshen Up Your Finances

A new year is a new opportunity to take a holistic look at your finances, investments, and risks, and consider where your home fits into the equation.

Home Equity

How to Navigate Retirement During the Pandemic

"2020 is “the year everything changed” - and for many, retirement falls into this bucket. From reconsidering, to retiring sooner than planned, financing retirement is a hot topic."

Homeownership

Are NYC Residents Fleeing to the Suburbs?

In the age of COVID-19, with circumstances transforming cities everywhere, many experts are wondering – are NYCers fleeing for good?

Beautiful kitchen that is an example of a big ticket renovation worth doing.

Renovations & Remodeling

Big Ticket Renovations Worth Doing: Which Major Upgrades Pay Off (and Which Don’t)

If you’re like most homeowners, you probably have one (or more!) “dream” renovations. Think big, transformative upgrades that change how your home looks, feels, and functions. But when those projects come with price tags in the tens or even hundreds of thousands, it can be hard to decide which ones are truly worth it.

Renovations & Remodeling

2026 Home Renovation Outlook: How Homeowners Are Funding Projects Without Refinancing

Even in an uncertain housing market, homeowners continue to invest in their homes — not necessarily to flip them, but to make them more functional, efficient, and comfortable. In 2026, renovations are less about luxury upgrades and more about...

Pile of money on a laptop for an article about whether you have to pay taxes on a side hustle.

Financial Health

Do You Have to Pay Taxes on your Side Hustle?

Short answer: Yes. But it doesn’t have to be complicated. Let’s walk through what counts as taxable income, how to report it, and when it’s worth getting professional help.

person using their device to control their smart home

Renovations & Remodeling

Smart Home Upgrades: Are They Worth It?

Smart thermostats. Voice-controlled lighting. AI-powered appliances. These days, tech is making its way into just about every corner of the modern home. But when it comes time to renovate, homeowners are asking an important question: Is it worth integrating technology into my home improvement plans?

Financial Health

9 Options for Consolidating Debt

Debt consolidation is a financial strategy in which one combines multiple high-interest debts into a single, more manageable loan or line of credit. Ultimately, the goal of debt consolidation is to simplify debt repayment; two bonuses are that it can also potentially reduce the overall interest rate, and make monthly payments more affordable.

Financial Health

Can I use a HELOC if I’m retired, self-employed, or on disability?

Home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) are often associated with traditional borrowers who have steady W-2 income. However, if you're retired, self-employed, or receiving disability income, you might be wondering if this financial tool is accessible to you. The good news is that it can be – provided you meet certain criteria and understand the nuances involved.