Your credit score is one of the primary items that lenders check when they consider loaning you money. A lower score means greater risk, and lenders will charge you a higher interest rate because of that difference – but how much could it cost you over the lifetime of a loan?
According to a new
Borrowing
Waiting to Buy According to a new study by the Urban Institute, millennials are waiting longer than previous generations to enter the housing market. Approximately 8% fewer millennials of ages 25-34 own homes as compared to baby boomers and generation Xers at the same point in their lives.
Why are millennials late to homeownership? The
Are you having trouble saving money while simultaneously dealing with excessive credit card debt? Mobile savings apps such as Digit and Qapital can help you establish an automatic saving routine – but Digit has introduced a new Digit Pay feature to assist with paying down credit card debt while you save.
According to
So, you are in the market for a new vehicle, huh? You’ve got some important decisions to make. New or used? Coupe or sedan? Import or domestic? Fire engine red or metallic silver?
But perhaps your most important decision, at least from a financial standpoint, is how you will pay for the vehicle. You have
Applying for credit for the first time is a bit like applying for your first job. People are hesitant to hire you because you don’t have any job experience, and you can’t get any job experience because nobody will hire you. In the case of credit applications, creditors are leery of extending credit if they
Are you having trouble getting a home loan because you have no suitable credit history? Has your credit activity been dormant for a long enough time that lenders can’t properly evaluate your risk?
The FICO credit-scoring standard used by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac requires that potential borrowers have a credit account
Have you been denied a mortgage loan recently? Rejections usually don’t come down to a single reason, because lenders look at your overall financial status.
However, some factors increase your risk of rejection. According to NerdWallet’s 2018 Home Buyer Report, three issues stand out as primary reasons for mortgage denials based on the most recent
By Tracy Scott
Have you been ignoring those credit card offers that arrive in your mailbox each week? If so, reconsider slam-dunking them into the circular file… especially if you have credit card debt you’d like to eliminate. Sound counterintuitive? A balance transfer may be the quickest way for you to pay off
Who wants simpler taxes? Most of us do, assuming we also keep more money in the process.
Starting in 2018, homeowners are more likely to have simpler tax returns – but they may need to make similar tax calculations to ensure a lower tax bill.
Tax simplification was part of the pitch to sell the
Just like assets can be sold, so can debts. It’s possible that your auto loan or mortgage could be sold by one lender to another. If your debt is in good standing, the terms and conditions of your agreement generally apply, but things relating to the servicing of your loan such as due dates and
When your credit score is down, it takes great effort to rebuild it. You have to take care to pay down your debts and get your finances in order. You may also have to change some of your spending habits to have the greatest impact. Consider these five spending habits that will retard your credit
You want to know exactly what you are getting when you make any large purchase, especially when you are buying a home – the largest purchase that many Americans will ever make in their life. That’s why a real estate disclosure statement is a fundamental part of any real estate transaction.
By law, home sellers
Living the Dream Homeownership is one of the classic measures of “the American Dream.” According to a recent Bank of the West Millennial Study, over half of respondents (58%) say they’ve either attained the American Dream or that the American Dream is still attainable. A similar percentage (59%) says that owning a home is a
Getting your first credit card can be a liberating experience. You can enjoy the convenience of a simple swipe or tap, and you don’t have to worry about having cash for all your purchases. However, if you don’t use your card wisely, it’s easy to get into unpleasant credit situations that can have long-lasting effects.
Homeowners may see less of a tax break this year, thanks to the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA). Beginning with homes purchased after December 16, 2017, you can only deduct the interest incurred on $750,000 of mortgage debt on qualifying residences (primary homes and one second residence). Under prior law, the limit was $1
You’re in a cash-flow crunch again. An important bill is due, and you’ve earned the money to pay that bill – but it’s not payday yet. You’re on a two-week pay cycle and have to wait for another week or so before your money is available.
What are your options? Ask a friend or relative
Credit freezes are one of the most powerful tools you have against fraudulent use of your identity. Unlike a fraud alert, which just requires that creditors take reasonable steps to verify your identity when a credit request is made in your name, a credit freeze stops creditors from accessing your report at all. If a
You’ve probably moved at least once in your life and had to fill out the Change of Address form at the U.S. Postal Service (USPS). The USPS makes it easy to change your address or temporarily forward mail to a different address. Forms are available at your local post office, or you can make the
Your kids are growing up fast. Soon, it will be time to have … the talk.
No, not that one. We’re referring to the talk about responsible use of credit. If you don’t drive home the importance of good credit practices while your children are young, they’re more likely to learn about credit the hard
You want to buy a home and have the income to support a decent monthly payment – but you can’t save up enough money for a significant down payment. With home prices and interest rates rising, you’re afraid that you’ll be priced out of the market before you can save up a full down payment.
Do you consider a rewards program as an integral part of your credit card choice? According to a new study by finder.com, close to one-third of Americans use credit cards just to get the associated rewards.
The finder survey suggests that approximately 71.7 million Americans (29.2% of the adult population) make credit card purchases just
Another Day, Another Breach
Have we reached the point where Americans react to data breaches with a yawn? Given the constant stream of new attacks and the staggering number of accounts involved, that’s an understandable reaction.
The sportswear retailer Adidas recently joined the list of companies successfully attacked by hackers. The size of the
Homeownership remains a goal for most Americans. According to NerdWallet’s 2018 Home Buyer Report, 91% of respondents want to own at least one home during their lifetime. However, that same report shows eight concerns renters have regarding that goal. If you haven’t bought a home yet, see if they match your concerns. 1. Purchase Cost
A poor credit score makes your financial life difficult in a number of ways. You receive poorer interest rates and terms on credit cards, it’s harder to qualify for mortgages, and, “When it comes time to get insurance, maybe your insurance premiums will be a little more expensive because you have a low credit score,”
Congratulations! Your shopping has paid off and you’ve finally found an excellent car at a reasonable price. Now, how do you plan to pay for it?
Dealers will be happy to arrange financing for you. Simply fill out and sign a loan application, and the Finance and Insurance (F&I) manager will immediately begin searching
How much does your credit score affect your mortgage rates? A recent study by Zillow shows that the higher interest rates from a poor credit score can have a profound impact on the amount of interest you’ll pay over the life of a mortgage.
Zillow analyzed over 100,000 mortgage quotes offered on Zillow Mortgages across
How badly do you want to own a home? What would you be willing to give up to achieve the American dream? Discover what sacrifices recent homebuyers made to purchase their homes, and whether they see the acquisition as a worthwhile investment.
Your credit history is an important factor in getting your mortgage approved.
By Eric Olsen, Executive Director HELPS Nonprofit Law Firm
Affordable transportation is often a concern for senior citizens. Some seniors go without basics to make car payments they can’t afford for a car with little or no equity. Others need affordable replacement transportation but don’t have the income to finance a car. What are
Are you getting the best deal on your credit cards? If you regularly carry a balance, a new survey from CreditCards.com suggests there’s almost a 50/50 chance you don’t know how good your deal is – because you aren’t sure what the annual percentage rate (APR) is on your cards.
The poll of 2,315 adults
Does your student loan situation look hopeless? Don’t give up hope yet. Consider these alternative repayment programs that can provide manageable loan payments and lead to forgiveness of a portion of your loan in exchange for some form of service.
1. Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) Program – As it stands, the PSLF program allows
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