Each year can bring anything from minor tweaks to major overhauls in mortgage lending, possibly affecting how much house you can afford to buy. To help simplify how to financially prepare for homeownership this year, we’ve compiled some of the more important gamechangers for you to be aware of in 2014. New Qualified Mortage Rules In January, the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) implemented new regulations under the Dodd-Frank Act for determining what constitutes a qualified mortgage. “Qualified mortgage” is actually a technical term, referring…
When you’re buying a home, one of the things you’ll be expected to have at the closing table is title insurance. Q: What is title insurance? A: Title insurance protects against unexpected problems associated with the title to your new home, such as liens for unpaid taxes or unpaid work on the property, mistakes or omissions on the deed, undisclosed heirs, fraud and errors on examining records. Title insurance policies are available to both owners and lenders. While other kinds of insurance, such as auto,…
What Millennials can do now to prepare for homeownership Research shows that over ⅓ of the Millennial generation, ages 18 to 31, either still live with or have moved back in with their parents. That indicates a sizable portion of the homebuying market is currently sitting it out on the sidelines. But that doesn’t mean Millennials can’t begin preparing for homeownership. In fact, with Mom and Dad providing some financial shelter, many might find themselves at a unique advantage for paving a successful path to…
When searching for your dream neighborhood, it’s important to consider the needs of every member of the household—including the family dog! Is the community walk-worthy? How’s the traffic? Are there veterinarians and pet stores nearby? Does the city or HOA have pet or noise rules? How close is the nearest dog park? If your dog could speak, these might be a few of his questions (ok, maybe not the one about the vet). Keeping Spot’s perspective in mind could help you choose a dog-friendly neighborhood…
Short on time, but big on sentiment? Well, you’ll be pleased to learn that preparing confections for the object of your affection doesn’t have to take a lot of time or effort. Here are five easy Valentine’s Day treats that your special someone will absolutely LOVE. You won’t have to bake your heart out, but they’ll swear that you did! Conversation Heart Cheesecakes from Hungry Happenings Tell your sweetheart exactly how you feel this Valentine’s Day with this smooth, creamy spin on iconic conversation hearts.…
