Spring has sprung, and so has a new fiscally reasonable you. Start the new season on the right foot by establishing a monthly budget for yourself. If you are thinking to yourself, “I don’t need a budget. I’m fine how I am,” then either you probably aren’t thinking about saving or are very, very wealthy, in which case you could still benefit from budgeting. Having a monthly budget can help everyone. Whether you want to start investing so you can earn a passive income, establish a retirement plan, save for a once-in-a-lifetime trip, or save for a down payment to buy a home, all of these goals and more take planning to achieve; otherwise, they may never happen. These five steps will help you establish a monthly budget for the rest of 2021 and also teach you how to stick with it.
Down Payment
Practical Tips Homebuyers May Consider When Saving for a Down Payment
Becoming a homeowner is probably one of the biggest life goals everyone wants to achieve. Not only does owning a home give you a sense of freedom and autonomy, but it can also help increase your wealth. However, raising funds to achieve this dream can feel as challenging as climbing Mount Everest. This article will give you the tools to help make saving for a down payment a reality.
Is it Beneficial to Make a Larger Down Payment? (Part 1)
Down payment is one of the upfront payments we need to settle when taking out a mortgage to buy a home. Deciding how much to put on a down payment as a first-time homebuyer is important as it affects your finances when you buy a home and all throughout the life of your loan.
Helping Your Adult Children Purchase a Home
As we approach the new year, it means the spring housing market is peeking just around the corner. Many forecast that the Spring of 2021 is going to be a great time to buy a new home, however, if your children aren’t able to make a down payment or find themselves needing some assistance, a little extra help from family could be an alternative option to support buying their first home. Many Millennials are striving to succeed, yet the current climate makes it tricky to buy a home.
Down Payment Sources for Homebuyers Who Find it Difficult to Save
Homebuyers understand that putting a down payment is one of the major requirements when purchasing a property unless they qualify to take out a VA or a USDA loan. Although homebuyers have flexibility when putting a down payment, most homebuyers still find it difficult to save.
Safety Tips Homebuyers May Consider When Depositing Down Payment in an Escrow
For most people, fulfilling the American dream of homeownership could be very complicated and stressful. This is because the homebuying process involves several entities, strict requirements and deadlines to meet. An escrow company is one of several entities that perform a critical role in ensuring a smooth homebuying transaction.
Why Does a 20 Percent Down Payment Make Sense for Homebuyers?
When taking out a mortgage, lenders prefer that homebuyers put a 20 percent down payment upfront. Although mortgage rates remain historically low, home prices are expected to increase this year. Homebuyers might find the 20 percent down payment overwhelming, not to mention the closing costs, which is another upfront payment they need to settle.
What First-time Homebuyers Can Do to Protect Their Down Payment from Scams?
One of the worst things that inexperienced homebuyers can do is to send their down payment to crooks, instead of sending it to their title company. Once the down payment has been transferred, it’s already too late for unsuspecting homebuyers to realize that they’ve become scam victims. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s critical that you ensure your down payment goes directly to your title company.
Getting a Gift for Your Down Payment: What You Need to Know
Setting a budget and saving money for a down payment can be a challenge, but a gift from a willing (and generous) family member can certainly help reduce the financial strain. However, before you head to the bank to make the deposit, there are some rules and requirements that you should know about accepting gift funds.
Six Tips For A Smooth Closing
Buying a home is an exciting adventure that may also become a stressful life event, especially when delays throw plans off track. Follow these simple tips to avoid unnecessary delays and keep your purchase on schedule to ensure that you get into your dream home – on time!