Loans

It’s finally house-hunting season and you could not be more excited to get the ball rolling on your big purchase! Before you hit the road or the search bar, consider these 7 steps. 

Before signing the papers or falling in love with the first home you see, be realistic about what is in your budget. We recommend spending no more than 25 percent of your monthly income on...

Whether you’ve been looking for a while or just decided to begin the hunt, buying a home is an exciting adventure! With rates so low, it’s the perfect time to become a new homeowner. But do you know some of the things you should be doing before stumbling upon your dream home? We’re here to explain our top four steps to home buying so you can enjoy the journey. 

Even...

While struggling with debt isn’t uncommon, getting out of it as soon as possible is important. Student loans, car loans, credit cards and other payments can lead to your pile of debt getting bigger and bigger. So, what steps should you take if you are in debt? Keep reading to find out. 

Start small and simply sell the things...

If you’re shopping for a home, you’ve probably heard of an Adjustable Rate Mortgage, or ARM. It’s a type of home loan with an interest rate that changes over time.

The main perk is that it usually comes with an initial low rate, making it an attractive choice for new buyers who may be just starting out in life, or who can’t afford the higher payments of a fixed-rate loan. Likewise, even though the rate will increase in the future, it can also dip, saving you money.

However,...

With the home prices stabilizing and even rising in some cities, many people are wondering if now might be the right time to take the plunge into homeownership. Real estate conditions and individual personal financial situations vary dramatically, so there’s no simple yes or no answer. But here are some issues to consider that can help you decide whether buying or renting is best for you:

Today’s...

If you or a family member will be attending college soon, you’ve probably noticed that the sticker price for a college education has risen considerably in recent years. According to Sallie Mae’s National Study of College Students and Parents for 2015, families spent on average $24,164 for college in the 2014-15 academic year, and 38% of them borrowed at least some money to help pay the tab.

Though the costs can be steep, a college degree is a good investment in the student’s...