Financial Health

Home Equity for the Win: Reach Your Long-Term Financial Goals

If you own a home, chances are you’ve been building equity for years. Possibly without even thinking about it! Each mortgage payment and uptick in property value quietly adds to your net worth.

Financial Health

What is a Personal Loan? Your Guide to Borrowing & Repayment

A personal loan lets you borrow money from a bank or lender and pay it back over time, with added interest. Unlike loans for specific things like houses or cars, personal loans can be used for many purposes.

Financial Health

What Is a Second Mortgage — and Why Do People Get One?

Let’s clear up the confusion. Second mortgages sometimes get a bad rap. They’re often lumped in with risky debt or financial desperation. But for many homeowners, they can actually be a practical, strategic tool.

Financial Health

Can You Have a Good DTI but Low Credit Score? Here’s What to Know

It might seem like keeping your debt low should guarantee a strong credit score – but that’s not always the case. In fact, it’s entirely possible to have a good debt-to-income (DTI) ratio while still having a low FICO score.

Financial Health

What is LTV?

LTV, or Loan-to-Value ratio, is a key metric used by lenders when assessing the risk of a loan, particularly mortgages. It essentially compares the amount of the loan to the appraised value of the property being financed.

Financial Health

10 Commonly Overlooked Tax Breaks and Deductions You Might Be Missing

When it comes to filing your taxes, missing out on valuable deductions and credits can mean leaving money on the table. Some tax breaks are easy to overlook! They may be less well-known or hidden deep within the fine print.