It is not uncommon for renters to pay more in rent than their landlord's mortgage payment. This is because landlords are typically looking to make a profit on their rental properties, and they will often set their rent prices based on market rates rather than the cost of their mortgage. There are several reasons why renters often pay more than a mortgage payment: Renters are not building equity: When you make a mortgage payment, you are building equity in your home. Equity is the value of your home that you actually own. As you pay down your mortgage, you own more and more of your home. … [Read more...]
House Poor: What It Means And How To Avoid It
There is a good chance you have heard someone described as being house poor. What exactly does it mean? It is important to understand what it means to be house poor and how you can stay away from it. House Poor Means Spending A Significant Chunk Of Your Income On Housing Being house-poor means different things for different people. In general, it means spending a significant amount of your monthly income on recurring expenses related to your house. A few examples include your mortgage, the interest on your mortgage, your property taxes, and HOA expenses. Owning a house can be expensive, and … [Read more...]
The Top Reasons To Pay Off Your Mortgage Before You Retire
As you get closer to your retirement age, you should try to discharge as much of your debt as possible. Unfortunately, many people close to the age of retirement still have a significant mortgage balance they need to pay off. What are some of the top reasons why you should pay off your mortgage before you retire? Your Portfolio Might Not Generate As Much Interest You may have a very low rate on your mortgage, which means that your money is better served in the stock market; however, as you approach the age of retirement, your portfolio might not generate as much interest because you are … [Read more...]
Understanding Your Debt To Income Ratio: What It Means
If you are looking for a home, you might need to finance it using a lender, such as a bank or a credit union. There are a number of factors that will influence whether your mortgage application is approved. Then, these same factors will play a role in the terms the lender might offer you. One of the most important factors is called the debt to income ratio, or DTI. It is important to understand how this will impact your mortgage application. What Is A Debt To Income Ratio? Your DTI is important to the lender because this allows the lender to figure out the likelihood of you paying your … [Read more...]
An Overview of Amortization: It Plays A Role In Monthly Mortgage Payments
Even though this may sound like a fancy word, amortization is simply a long word for a straightforward topic. Furthermore, it plays a significant role in the determination of monthly mortgage payments. Before taking out a home loan, homeowners need to understand how their payment schedule works and what this means for the future of the home loan. Amortization refers to the way monthly payments are calculated to make sure that homeowners pay the same amount every month throughout the life of the loan. Even if homeowners do not stay in the house for the life of the loan, amortization will still … [Read more...]