Fixed Rates Aren’t Always the Only Safe Bet I totally get the appeal of fixed rates—predictability is hard to beat, especially after a rough experien...

Had to learn this the hard way when I refinanced a couple years back. I’d used a “forgivable” down payment loan, thinking it was a no-brainer. Turns o...

Been there, sweated that balloon payment too. Here’s what I wish I’d done: 1) Run the numbers for a worst-case scenario, not just the “best flip ever”...

Digging Into HOA Docs: Don’t Just Look at the Numbers I hear you on the unpredictability, but I actually lean the other way—higher dues and solid res...

Couldn't agree more. When I refinanced last year, I made a point of creating a detailed timeline of my employment history and even included explanatio...

Couldn't agree more on this point. When we refinanced our rural home, we thought we'd accounted for everything—until our septic system decided to back...

Yeah, totally agree with you there. Refinancing can be great, but it's definitely not a one-size-fits-all solution. Another thing people sometimes mis...

I've seen similar situations happen more often than you'd think. It's great your client had that home equity line as a backup, but honestly, relying o...

I switched to bi-weekly payments about three years ago, and honestly, I had a similar experience. At first, it felt like nothing was really changing—j...

Property lines can definitely get messy, especially with older deeds—I totally agree there. But honestly, even modern surveys aren't always foolproof....

I totally agree with the balanced approach idea. When I refinanced my place a couple years back, I saw firsthand how quickly unexpected costs can pile...