I spoke with 2 clients this week and another 2 or so in the week past. They all had the desire to purchase  homes in the immediate future. All were otherwise qualified, but lacked the funds for a down payment. They did not meet the criteria to obtain down payment assistance. Obtaining the funds from their 401K, borrowing against the cash value on an insurance policy, or obtaining a gift from a family member were also not options. During these conversations the potential buyers became... [read more]

Having been a single parent, I truly understand the cost of raising kids as well as the need to properly plan. I’ve done somethings right and some wrong. But I share this information with you to help you avoid some pitfalls, and to share some of the knowledge I’ve acquired over the years.   Raising kids isn’t cheap. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), the cost (in today’s dollars) of raising  for a baby born in 2015 through age 17 for... [read more]

Tis the season of giving, which often means it is also the season of spending.   The season of spending where retail companies win and personal bank accounts lose. The holidays are fueled with emotions, and when high emotions and money meet, people tend to overspend without having a real plan in place.   Since we’re  just a few short weeks from the Christmas holiday. It’s a little late for this advice, but not too late to implement it for next... [read more]

Most real estate experts would agree the first thing you should do when thinking of purchasing a home is to get pre-approved. Getting pre-approved and/or shopping for a home loan means getting your credit pulled. There’s no way around it. Your credit is pulled when you submit a rental application, buy a car, get a cell phone, or open a bank account. But I’m amazed by the number of people who don’t want their credit pulled when thinking of buying a home. Are you kidding... [read more]

According to a recent study by the National Association of Realtors, one of the top limiting factors preventing buyers from closing on a home is difficulty in obtaining mortgage financing.   Whether you plan to buy a house in the next few months or years, it’s never too early to start preparing financially for your next home purchase.   Even if you have no plans to move, it’s always a good idea to be prepared. You never know what surprises life has in... [read more]