There are a few easy ways to make extra principle payments that can save you a ton of money in interest expenses and get you mortgage-free sooner than you thought possible. Here are a few simple strategies you can use: 1. Round your monthly payment up The results of this simple strategy can save you a fortune and drastically reduce the length of your mortgage. As an example, if your monthly mortgage...

Your credit score is now the most important factor in determining how much house you can buy, so if you are in the market for a new home, you need to understand how it affects you. In order to make it easy for mortgage companies to determine the risk of lending to you, they are using a system called credit scoring (also called "FICO" scores). When lenders look at your credit report, they...

Mistake #1Not knowing what they can afford before making an offer.The best way to avoid this is to get pre-approved for a mortgage so you know exactly how much you can afford. Usually pre-approvals are free. Mistake #2Not knowing who the agent represents.Unless an agent is working as your buyer representative, they represent the seller. Many people don't realize this. Mistake #3Choosing the wrong...

Many people think that serious defects in a home are easy to spot, but the truth is, often the most serious and costly problems can only be detected upon very close inspection. When you are considering buying a home, look for the following six telltale signs of serious problems. 1. RoofLeaks are the most common problem with roofs, and are tough to detect from outside. However, from inside an attic, you...