Posts Tagged ‘home equity’
Your House Is Part of Your Retirement Plan, So Treat It Like One
When people talk about retirement planning, the conversation usually starts with a 401(k), IRA, Social Security, pension, or investment account. Those things matter. But for a lot of homeowners, the biggest asset they have isn’t sitting in a retirement account. It’s the house. You may have spent 20, 30, or 40 years paying down the…
Read MoreIf You Want to Stay in Your Home, Start Planning Before You Need To
A lot of homeowners tell me they want to stay in their house as long as possible. That makes sense. You know the neighborhood. You know the house. You may have spent decades paying down the mortgage and building equity. Moving isn’t necessarily something you want to do just because you’re getting older. But staying…
Read MoreThe Best Time to Prepare Your Home for the Future Is Before You Have To
Most homeowners are pretty good at reacting to problems. The driveway cracks badly enough, so they replace it. A parent falls, so the family starts talking about grab bars and ramps. Mom or Dad moves into assisted living, and suddenly somebody has to figure out what to do with 50 years of furniture, clothing, tools,…
Read MoreDon’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 MoreProtecting Your Home Means Looking Beyond the Monthly Payment
Homeowners are constantly being offered ways to save money, access cash, reduce risk, or make their homes more efficient. Some of those options can be valuable. Others can create long-term commitments that aren’t immediately obvious. Whether you’re considering solar panels, dealing with an insurance claim, trying to protect a finished basement, or buying out a…
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 MoreReverse Mortgages Explained
By Terry Savage on June 12, 2026 As Americans live longer and costs continue to rise, a growing number of seniors have decided to tap into the equity they’ve built up in their home, by using a Reverse Mortgage. A RM allows you to withdraw cash tax-free from your home equity – money that does…
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