There’s no better time than now to start preparing for homeownership. If your financial goals include things like saving for retirement, paying off student loan debt, or buying a home, this article provides some solid financial planning advice that will get you headed in the right direction. As an additional resource, you can also download our personal budgeting guide here. When you have a solid plan and set a budget for homeownership, you may find that you’re able to buy a home more quickly than expected.

With the 2024 elections behind us, quite a few are reconsidering their plans for buying or selling a home. While rates are still higher than many of us would like, there are still plenty of rate-reducing strategies available for first-time and move-up buyers alike. Retirement savings options recently improved, and you can learn how to maximize both 401(k) and Social Security retirement income here.

Your credit score is an important factor when it comes to buying a home. That’s because it gives your mortgage lender a snapshot of how responsible you’ve been as a borrower through your payment history—which means they can gauge how responsible you’re likely to be as a borrower going forward.  A higher credit score not only improves your chances of loan approval but also qualifies you for lower interest rates, which can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage. A good credit score also shows lenders that you’re capable of managing debt wisely, making you a more attractive candidate for financing. That’s why it’s essential to monitor and improve your credit score before you start the homebuying process.

New year, new goals, right? When it comes to personal finances and goal-setting, creating financial goals can be one of the most meaningful things you can do for yourself and your family.

The holiday season is jam-packed with parties, shopping, cooking, gift-giving, and obligations. With all this going on, you might assume that the festive season is the worst time to buy or sell real estate.

REACH YOUR GOALS Can Financial Planning Really Be Life-Changing? When you think about financial planning, chances are it's not an exciting proposition. However, it could be a truly life-changing event if you take a few minutes to envision the possible results.

Even though the 2024 holiday season is still a few weeks away, plenty of us have already begun our shopping. Since estimates suggest that we'll spend around 3% more than we did in 2023, you'll want to check out our story on planning a gift budget before you hit the stores or surf the Web. Gift shopping may be the only major economic activity many of us choose for the rest of the year, as interest rates seem to be stuck in place for the time being, and early voting has just begun for the November presential election.

November is National Veterans and Military Families Month and also celebrates Veteran's Day. One of ways we like to honor and celebrate our veterans is by sharing the stories of what home and homeownership means to them.  

The VA home loan program is an amazing benefit for our deserving active-duty service members, veterans, and surviving spouses of veterans. While no one could ever repay you for the sacrifices you’ve made, the VA home loan can make your dreams of homeownership just a little easier to achieve.

REACH YOUR GOALS Mortgage Review: Take Advantage of Improving Interest Rates The Federal Reserve is lowering interest rates, and now is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your mortgage. A quick review could yield lasting benefits, especially if you have purchased a home in the past few years or need to tap into your home equity.