Mortgages and Real Estate Articles
Making Sense of the new Tax Credit Extension
Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension Okay, I think I get it now and I’m ready to give you the scoop on the new tax credit extension. I know this news has been circulating around for awhile now, with many industry professionals trying to be the first to tell you the new rules, but up until now – I still had questions that I couldn’t find answers to and much of the information I was getting didn’t ...Variable Rate vs. Fixed Rate
Choosing a Variable Rate is like Ordering a Pizza “Should I pick an adjustable rate mortgage, like a 3/1 or 5/1 ARM, or go with a 30 year Fixed Rate?” How many times has a buyer or borrower asked you that question? How do you help them choose in a way that makes sense to them? I’ve found that “Pizza” is the best illustration to use to help them understand this question. If I give this ...Welcome to Credit to the Wise
This website is intended to be a resource to help you get out of debt, improve your credit, grow your wealth, and build your legacy. Poke around and enjoy articles about how to deal with credit problems, control your spending, earn more money, secure your future, and stories of success. My business is mortgage lending and I love the whole business of money. I hope you'll feel my passion for people, my hate for the shackles of excess debt, ...Home Equity Options
Second Mortgages are often called “Home Equity Loans”. If you want to avoid re-doing your first mortgage (maybe you have a really good interest rate on it now, for example) but you still want to access your equity, you may want to consider a 2nd mortgage like this. There are two basic types of Home Equity Loans. You can either do a defined loan with set terms (HEL) or you can do a flexible ...Free IRS Money for Home Buyers
Great news for First Time Homebuyers! The massive economic stimulus bill that was just signed into law has a great incentive in it for First Time Homebuyers. If you buy your first home between Jan 1, 2009 and Nov 30, 2009 (and “First Time” means “Haven’t had any ownership in a home for the past 3 years”), you ...Does Your Home Have A Story To Tell?
I am often asked by my real estate partners to assist them in marketing their listings. They know I like to write and tell stories and that history is a passion of mine, so when they land a listing for maybe an older home in a community or a home being sold by a long time member of the community, they come to me for help in telling the story. The stories I write, with maybe ...Whatever Happened to Buying the Ugliest House on the Block?
One of my favorite authors is Andy Rooney. (For you under-40 youth out there, Andy Rooney is that amply-eye-browed curmudgeon who’d give those whiney-witty editorials at the end of “60 Minutes”. And for you under-30 types who learned about Ronald Reagan from your US History books in school, “60 Minutes” was once a well-respected CBS news show.) In one of Andy Rooney’s books, he had a chapter about what’s wrong with American society (actually, ...Should You Buy The “Ugliest House On The Block”?
There are some nervous times going on in the financial markets right now. What we’re finding right now is a phenomena called “Flight to Quality” – where people are putting their money in the safest investments they can find. You’re not seeing wild speculation going on. Investors are just happy if they don’t lose money and they aren’t expecting big gains on anything they buy. The housing market is the same way. ...How To Get $500 In The Bank – FAST!
In the last article, “Get $500 In The Bank Now”, I told you to write yourself a $100 check without cashing it (hanging it on the wall someplace you can see it everyday for motivation) to create a little cushion in your checking account to prevent bounced checks (and hefty bouncing fees). This is the first step towards getting $500 in the bank and keeping it there. I also told you, in a kind of ...Latest Articles
Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
I often find myself in long conversations with my borrowers over the best way to pay off mortgages early. Do I recommend the “Bi-Weekly Payment” ...
Making Sense of the new Tax Credit Extension
Homebuyer Tax Credit Extension
Okay, I think I get it now and I’m ready to give you the scoop on the new tax credit extension. ...
Variable Rate vs. Fixed Rate
Choosing a Variable Rate is like Ordering a Pizza
“Should I pick an adjustable rate mortgage, like a 3/1 or 5/1 ARM, or go with ...
Washington Women Veterans Summit 2009
"Top 10 Ways to Get Out of Debt and Build Wealth" is the title of my workshop at the Women Veterans Summit this year. I’m ...
Know your Statutes of Limitations
“Can you just make a small payment as a show of good faith?” Have you been called by a collection agency trying to collect on ...