Top 5 Ways to Lower Your Mortgage Payment

Your monthly mortgage loan payment may be fixed, but that doesn’t mean you can’t find ways to lower it, notes consumer finance advocate Sarah Tann. Tann, a frequent contributor to consumer finance publications, suggests the top five ways you may be able to lower your monthly...

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Do-It Yourself: Deck Staining

Most deck owners know that one of the keys to keeping their decks looking good is staining it every few years. However, while deck staining is a process that most homeowners are capable of doing themselves, finding the time to do it can be difficult....

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NAHB Urges Broadly Defined and Clear QM Standards

National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) told Congress recently that proposed mortgage lending reforms under the Dodd-Frank Act must be imposed in a manner that causes minimum disruption to the mortgage markets while ensuring consumer protections. Testifying before the House Financial Services Subcommittee on Financial Institutions...

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Single Women and the Housing Market

Out-purchasing single white men, today’s single women represent 20 percent of homebuyers – men only account for 12 percent. Even with those percentages, many remain in the dark about the ins and outs of the homebuying process. Whether it’s because they are uncertain about their...

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How do you like my Houzz?

Looking for a new home can be an exciting and challenging experience. Building a new custom home can be a thrilling process. But success comes to those who are informed and prepared. Aside from knowing where you want to build, having a budget in mind, and...

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Why Appliance Warranties are Key for New Homeowners

These days, making the decision to purchase a new home can be much more stressful than it once was. There are countless factors and steps that need to be taken into account before you settle in. A major factor is around finances and how you,...

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Student Loan Debt Crisis Linked to Lower Home Values

New analysis of government data by the National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) reveals a connection between rising student loan debt and the onset of the housing slump, and offers yet another example of how lower home values have hurt millions of middle class households...

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Keeping Fireworks Safe and Fun

While the fourth of July is still several weeks away, summer is officially in season—and the skies will soon be ablaze with brilliant colors. But it’s important to stay safe while enjoying your summer explosions. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), approximately 21,692...

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