Top Tips for New Homeowners to Manage Utilities Expenses
You dreamed for years of owning your own home, and now you’ve finally done it. You saved the down payment and qualified for a mortgage with terms you can handle. But if you move in right before the deepest cold of winter or the peak of summer, you might be in for a surprise. Utilities cost a lot more for a house than for an apartment. Here are some ways to cut back on energy bills. Continue reading
Personal Finance Strategies: Buying Your First Home
Preparing to buy your first home is exciting, and while you’ll need to give some serious thought to making the leap from renter to owner, that initial planning pays off big time when it comes to your financial health. When you’re planning to buy your first home, use these tips to maintain your finances after closing the deal. Continue reading
![Roadmap to Buying a Home [Infographic]](https://www.quicken.com/sites/default/files/Quicken_Roadmap_ToBuyingHome.jpg)
Roadmap to Buying a Home [Infographic]
Roadmap to Buying a Home: Buying the home you've always dreamed of doesn't happen with a snap of your fingers. There are several steps on the path to finding oyur perfect home - do you know the roadmap? Continue reading
![Rent or Own your Home [Infographic]](https://www.quicken.com/sites/default/files/Quicken-rent-or-own-find-your-perfect-type-of-home.jpg)
Rent or Own: Find Your Perfect Type of Home [Infographic]
Should you rent or own? Start by comparing the pros and cons. Understanding both options can help put you on the path toward discovering the best type of home for you. Continue reading
How Much House Can You Afford?
Owning a home is part of the American dream – a place of your own where you can raise your kids and your grandchildren can come to visit. Part of that dream might be reaching for the stars to buy the biggest and the best, but your income and budget might make that hard to do. So how much house can you afford? Here are a number of methods that can help you figure it out. Continue reading
The Real Cost of Buying a Home in America [Infographic]
Expereinced homeowners know that the cost of buying a house goes far beyond the list price. Before applying for a mortggage, take a look at the hidden costs we've identified. Continue reading
What Credit Score Is Needed to Buy a House?
Real Estate & Personal Finance: What Is Considered a Good Credit Score for a Mortgage Loan?
It's true that when you apply for your mortgage loan, having good credit is better than having bad credit. However, it's also true that while a borrower with 759 credit may pay a higher rate than one with a 760 credit score, another borrower with a 630 score might pay the same rate as one with a 770... Continue reading
Real Estate & Personal Finance: How to Get a Mortgage on a Low Income
Real Estate & Personal Finance: How to Get a Mortgage on a Low Income
A low income doesn't prevent you from getting a mortgage. Ultimately, your income determines how much you can borrow instead of whether or not you can borrow. While the more you make the more you can borrow, if your other debts are manageable, you won't need a very high income to buy a comfortable home.
Know Your Ratios
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Real Estate & Personal Finance: Can a Mortgage Lien Stop Me From Buying a Second Home?
Real Estate & Personal Finance: Can a Mortgage Lien Stop Me From Buying a Second Home?
Buying a home is usually "smart debt" because you're building equity. The more equity you build, the more your personal wealth grows. But if you're thinking about buying a second home, consider whether you're making the right decision by looking at a variety of factors, such as whether you can afford the... Continue reading
How To Buy A House With Little Or No Credit
Even though being debt-free can make you a better credit risk, getting a mortgage when you have little or no credit and don't have a credit score isn't easy. "Mortgage lenders are still conservative," explains Minnesota-based real estate agent Lorraine Smith. "Instead of looking for good risks, many of them are looking for no risks." With this in mind, budgeting to buy a house means that you may... Continue reading
