Buying a Home, Selling a Home

Help! I Bought a New Home But Still Haven’t Sold My Old Home

September 21, 2018
Working through finances

Congratulations! You’re under contract for a new home. There’s just one problem: your current home hasn’t sold—and closing day is coming up fast. What to do? Here are a few options to consider when you’ve purchased a home but still haven’t sold your old home.   Take out a bridge loan (or swing loan) Ask your mortgage lender about whether your old home has enough equity to qualify for a bridge loan, short-term financing intended to help you bridge the gap from one house to…

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Financing & Insuring

Who can qualify for a VA loan?

September 18, 2018

Zero money down.* Limited closing costs. No monthly mortgage insurance premiums. Borrower’s choice of a fixed-rate or adjustable-rate mortgage. Sounds nice, right? They’re all potential perks of financing your home with a VA loan, but you have to belong to a very particular subset of homebuyers in order to qualify for one. To assess your eligibility, see if any of the following criteria describes you. ☐ Active member of the military ☐ Military veteran ☐ Served in the Selected Reserves or National Guard for at…

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Financing & Insuring

How to Save Money for a Down Payment: 7 Strategies

September 14, 2018
House with coins and dollars

Saving for a down payment on a new home might feel daunting, but small daily changes can make a big difference when it comes to setting aside money for a large purchase. We rounded up seven strategies that make it simple to streamline your spending and save up for your dream home—and it’s a lot easier than you think! Shop smart It’s tempting to toss anything that looks good into your grocery cart, but the price of all those products adds up quickly. Instead, plan…

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Life at Home

8 Ways to Winterize Your Home

September 13, 2018

When the summer air begins to cool down, it’s time to prepare your home for the colder months ahead. Winterizing can keep your home running efficiently and save on heating costs. Get started today with these helpful tips: 1. Service your furnace. Leaky ducts and vents are big energy drainers. Have your furnace serviced by a professional at least once a year. Also remember to change air filters regularly to maintain air quality and prevent unnecessary wear and tear on your equipment. Is your HVAC the…

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Selling a Home

Staging Your Home on a Dime

September 11, 2018

It’s a common dilemma among sellers: Staging your home can increase its value, but you don’t want to spend a small fortune on a professional stager. Good news! It’s possible to prepare your home for showings for a fraction of the cost of a staging company—and still sell it for top dollar. Following are some home staging tips that may impress prospective buyers without breaking the bank. Clear the clutter. Potential buyers want to feel at home in your home, which can be difficult to…

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