Posts Tagged ‘HELOC’
Don’t Make a $50,000 Home Decision Based on an Assumption
Some of the most expensive homeowner mistakes start with a sentence that sounds perfectly reasonable. “I thought FHA loans were only for people with bad credit.” “I figured I should refinance because I need some cash.” “I assumed a better roof would automatically lower my insurance.” “I thought solar would require $40,000 out of pocket.”…
Read MoreYour Home Equity Can Help You, but It Can’t Fix Every Financial Problem
Owning a home with a lot of equity feels reassuring. You may have lived there for decades. You may owe very little on the mortgage. Zillow may tell you the property is worth $500,000, $600,000, or more. That doesn’t necessarily mean you’re financially comfortable. I’m talking to more homeowners who are sitting on hundreds of…
Read MoreThe Biggest Homeowner Mistakes Usually Start With “I Thought I Was Covered”
Most homeowners don’t ignore major risks on purpose. They assume the backup sump pump will work because it worked the last time they checked it. They assume the water heater will make it another few years because it hasn’t leaked yet. They assume their condo will be easy to finance when it’s time to sell.…
Read MoreBefore You Replace It, Make Sure It Actually Needs Replacing
Homeowners spend a lot of money fixing problems that may not require the solution they’re being sold. An air conditioner stops working and suddenly someone wants to replace the entire system. A door feels drafty and the assumption is that the whole thing has to go. A homeowner wants to improve the house and immediately…
Read MoreSmart Ways to Use Your Home Equity Without Giving Up a Great Mortgage Rate
Owning a home gives you options, but not every option is automatically a good one. You may be thinking about selling while buyers are still active. You may need access to the equity you’ve built. You may simply be looking for ways to reduce rising household expenses. Whatever the situation, the goal shouldn’t be to…
Read MoreNavigating Home Improvements and Financial Planning with Confidence: Insights from Home Sweet Home Chicago
As a mortgage broker and host of WGN’s Home Sweet Home Chicago, it’s crucial to not only discuss the dynamic world of real estate but also delve into related topics like home improvements, financial planning, and savvy decision-making. Our recent radio show covered a plethora of topics designed to educate and inform homeowners and those…
Read MoreNavigating Home Ownership and Financial Guidance: Insights from WGN’s Home Sweet Home Chicago
Welcome to another installment of insights from Home Sweet Home Chicago, your go-to radio show on WGN for all things related to home ownership, financial guidance, and real estate. As a mortgage broker and host, I aim to provide you with valuable advice and solutions to enhance your journey as a homeowner or potential buyer.…
Read MoreYour HELOC is coming due… now what?
Millions of Americans took out home equity lines of credit (HELOCs) ten years ago, right around the time that the real estate market was crashing. I love HELOCs and think they are great options for lots of different scenarios but many of them were set up with balloon payments after 10 years, so many people…
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