Congratulations! You passed the pre-approval stage for getting a home, but what happens next? Once you have a pre-approval letter from your lender, you can start looking for a home to purchase. Keep in mind that the letter is only good for 60 to 90 days, depending on the type of approval you received. Why… Read more »
The History of Credit Scores Credit reports and scores have played a large part in many Americans’ lives, but what do we really know about credit scores? Before the use of credit scores, it was up to lenders to decide whether a person would be granted a loan. This method was not always the best… Read more »
Michelle Huizinga is a hairdresser in West Michigan, but you won’t find her at a retail salon near a grocery store. Instead, Michelle, like many enterprising entrepreneurs, works from her own home. Through a room she renovated in her home, Michelle now sees her clients and her children with no travel time. “I started working… Read more »
If you have a major financial need looming over you that you’re just not sure how you’ll afford, you may want to consider taking out a second mortgage. Keep in mind, there are some pros and cons that come along with doing that, so let’s look at the options and you can decide whether this… Read more »
If you’re facing foreclosure, you’re not alone. According to RealtyTrac, 1 in every 3,426 homes in Michigan are being foreclosed in 2017. Muskegon is the worst county for foreclosures in the state, with every 1 in 1,063 homes being foreclosed. What should you do when you’re facing foreclosure? Communicate with your lender Your first instinct… Read more »
Mortgage interest rates have been slowly increasing since they plummeted following the 2008 financial crisis. Twice this year already, the Federal Reserve has raised interest rates, which, in turn, raises the rate at which banks loan out money for mortgages. But are they done raising rates this year, or could more hikes be on the… Read more »
You may be interested in rental property as a way to earn extra income, but how should you go about it? Where to buy? It’s an old but fitting adage that there are three rules in real estate: location, location, and location. The same is also true for renting out property. You need a good… Read more »
If you don’t have a lot of money and you’re in the market for a new house, you may be tempted to buy the cheapest home you find with the intention of fixing it up. However, just because a house is cheap doesn’t mean it’s a wise investment. Here are a few things to watch… Read more »
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