Til’ Debt Do Us Part: How to Get a Mortgage If One Spouse Has A Poor Credit Score

A poor credit history is a reality for many people, but it can be particularly daunting when it comes to investing in a house. Fortunately, if you or yours have experienced bad credit doesn't mean that you should be penalized in the future. If your spouse has struggled with bad credit in the past but you're both preparing to move forward and invest in a home, here are some tips for getting it together financially. Face The Music Many people who have bad credit are too scared to take a look at their credit report and broach it honestly, but it's important to come to terms with the problem so that…
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How to Calculate Your True Cost of Living and Determine How Much Mortgage You Can Afford

A monthly mortgage can seem like enough of a financial responsibility on its own, but there are many factors involved in home ownership that affect its fiscal feasibility. If you're in the market for a house and are wondering how your income will stack up against the rest of your expenses, here's how to determine a home cost that's reasonable for you. Determine Your Down Payment Before you start with anything else, you'll want to determine the amount of money you can put down so you can estimate your monthly payments. The traditional amount for a down payment is 20% of the home's purchase price, so if you don't have anything…
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The Pros and Cons of ‘Mortgage Before Marriage’ for Young Couples

There was a time when a higher percentage of people were married before they committed to buying a home together, but it's a lot more common to co-habit and invest in a home together. If you're considering the commitment of a mortgage without being married, here are some things to be aware of before you start searching the market. Relationship Status Won't Affect Your Rates It might seem like there are greater risks involved if two individuals purchasing a property are not legally bound, but it actually makes no difference to the mortgage lender. If two people are buying a home together, the lender is going to be assessing their credibility…
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Three Tips to Ensure That a Reverse Mortgage Makes Sense for Your Financial Situation

If you're having financial troubles, or if you need to free up a large sum in a short period of time, a reverse mortgage is a great way to get the money you need without having to take on new debt or make monthly payments. When you apply for a reverse mortgage - also known as a home equity conversion mortgage - you're essentially borrowing money from the equity you've built up in your house. The great advantages of a reverse mortgage are that you don't need to make any loan payments until you decide to move out of the house and that in spite of the interest rates attached, you'll…
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Setting the Record Straight: 3 Major Misconceptions About Mortgage Financing

Purchasing a home is often considered an important step in one's financial life, no matter what point you arrive at it, but there are things you should know about financing your home purchase before stepping into the fray. If you're planning on buying a home soon and want to avoid some major missteps, here are a few tips that will set you up for success. Taking The Lender You're Offered In the event that you've been pre-qualified for a certain amount, you'll want to find a lender that will make the process towards a home purchase a little bit smoother. Instead of going with the first option that's offered, do some…
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Setting the Record Straight: 3 Major Misconceptions About Mortgage Financing

Purchasing a home is often considered an important step in one's financial life, no matter what point you arrive at it, but there are things you should know about financing your home purchase before stepping into the fray. If you're planning on buying a home soon and want to avoid some major missteps, here are a few tips that will set you up for success. Taking The Lender You're Offered In the event that you've been pre-qualified for a certain amount, you'll want to find a lender that will make the process towards a home purchase a little bit smoother. Instead of going with the first option that's offered, do some…
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