Posts Tagged ‘Home Equity’
🏡 The Emotional Home vs. The Financial House
Most people buy a home with their hearts—but it’s the house that impacts their financial future.Borrow Smart University teaches that understanding the difference between these two perspectives is one of the first steps to becoming a truly informed homeowner. The Emotional Home Your home is where you live your life. It’s where your family grows,…
Read MoreShould I Pay Off My Mortgage?
It’s one of the most common questions I hear:“Should I pay off my mortgage early?” On the surface, it sounds simple — who wouldn’t want to live debt-free? But as a Certified Liability Advisor, I’ve learned that the better question is:“Will paying off my mortgage make me wealthier… or just make me feel safer?” Let’s…
Read MoreDownsizing Without Debt: How More Homeowners Are Buying Their Next House in Cash
If you’ve been thinking about downsizing to lower your expenses, be closer to family, or just make life easier, here’s a trend worth paying attention to: More homeowners are buying their next house outright, without taking on a new mortgage. And, if you’ve owned your home for a while, you may be able to do the same. No…
Read MoreDo You Know How Much Your House Is Really Worth?
Want to know something important you probably don’t have a professional check for you nearly as often as you should? Spoiler alert: it’s the value of your home. Because here’s the reality. Your house is likely the biggest financial asset you have. And if you’ve lived in it for a few years or more, chances…
Read MoreWhat You Need To Know About Concessions
What Is a Seller Concession? A concession is something a seller offers to make their home more appealing to potential buyers. Common examples include: These incentives can help bridge the gap between buyer expectations and your selling goals. More Inventory = More Competition for Sellers With more homes on the market, buyers have more options.…
Read More5-Year Rule for Home Prices – Why Long-Term Thinking Wins
If recent headlines about home prices have made you nervous, it’s time to zoom out and look at the bigger picture. Many homeowners still recall the housing crash of 2008, but history shows that was the exception, not the rule. The data proves home prices almost always go up in the long run — and…
Read MoreSelling and Buying at the Same Time? Here’s What You Need To Know
Wednesday July 10th, 2025 If you’re a homeowner planning to move, you’re probably wondering what the process is going to look like and what you should tackle first: Ultimately, what’s right for you depends on a lot of factors. And that’s where an agent’s experience can really help make your next step clear. They know your…
Read MoreWHEN IS MORTGAGE INTEREST TAX DEDUCTIBLE?Â
Kevin Brierton – 1.12.2024 CONTRARY TO POPULAR BELIEF, MORTGAGE INTEREST IS NOT ALWAYS TAX-DEDUCTIBLE. HERE’S THE INSIDE SCOOP. DO YOU ITEMIZE YOUR TAX DEDUCTIONS? You cannot take the mortgage interest deduction if you are taking the standard deduction. For 2024 tax returns, the standard deduction is $14,600 for single taxpayers, $21,900 for heads of household,…
Read MoreWays Your Home Equity Can Help You Reach Your Goals
Kevin Brierton – 1.9.2024 If you’ve owned your house for at least a couple of years, there’s something you’re going to want to know more about – and that’s home equity. If you’re not familiar with that term, Freddie Mac defines it like this: “. . . your home’s equity is the difference between how much your home is worth…
Read MoreThinking About Buying a Home? Ask Yourself These Questions
Kevin Brierton – 1.3.2024 If you’re thinking of buying a home this year, you’re probably paying closer attention than normal to the housing market. And you’re getting your information from a variety of channels: the news, social media, your real estate agent, conversations with friends and loved ones, the list goes on and on. Most likely, home prices and mortgage…
Read More3 Keys To Hitting Your Homeownership Goals in 2024
Kevin Brierton – 1.1.2024 If buying or selling a home is your goal for 2024, it’s important to understand today’s housing market, know your why, and work with industry experts to bring your homeownership vision for the new year into focus. Over the last year, the economy had a big impact on the housing market, and likely on your…
Read MoreRetiring Soon? Why Moving Might Be the Perfect Next Step
Kevin Brierton – 12.27.2023 If you’re thinking about retirement or have already retired this year, it’s a good time to consider if your current house is still a good fit for the next chapter in your life. Fortunately, you may be in a better position to make a move than you realize. Here are a few things…
Read MoreDebt-Consolidation Refinance: Use Your Home Equity to Pay Off Debt and Save Money
Kevin Brierton – 11.14.2023 Even if you have a low rate on your mortgage, do you know how much you’re paying in interest each month for your credit cards, vehicles, and other personal debts? Managing debts with high-interest rates can feel like an uphill battle. Monthly debt payments take over a large chunk of your…
Read MoreHomeowner Net Worth Has Skyrocketed
Kevin Brierton – 11.7.2023 If you’re weighing your options to decide whether it makes more sense to rent or buy a home today, here’s one key data point that could help you feel more confident in making your decision. Every three years, the Federal Reserve Board releases the Survey of Consumer Finances (SCF). That report covers the difference in net worth…
Read MoreReasons To Sell Your House Before the New Year
Kevin Brierton – 11.6.2023 As the year winds down, you may have decided it’s time to make a move and put your house on the market. But should you sell now or wait until January? While it may be tempting to hold off until after the holidays, here are three reasons to make your move…
Read MoreWhy Zillow Says Fall 2023 is a Homebuying “Sweet Spot”
Kevin Brierton – 10.15.2023 Most people grow up dreaming of owning a home someday, escaping the cloud of rising rents, and building wealth through home equity. However, with the recent surge in home prices, you may be wondering if this is the smartest move today. With home prices so high, is it worth buying a…
Read MoreYour Home Equity Can Offset Affordability Challenges
Kevin Brierton – 9.19.2023 Are you thinking about selling your house? If so, today’s mortgage rates may be making you wonder if that’s the right decision. Some homeowners are reluctant to sell and take on a higher mortgage rate on their next home. If you’re worried about this too, know that even though rates are high right now,…
Read MoreFour Ways You Can Use Your Home Equity
Kevin Brierton – 8.7.2023 If you’re a homeowner, odds are your equity has grown significantly over the last few years. Equity builds over time as home values grow and as you pay down your home loan. And, since home prices skyrocketed during the ‘unicorn’ years, you’ve likely gained more than you think. According to the latest Equity Insights Report from CoreLogic, the average homeowner…
Read MoreTwo Questions To Ask Yourself if You’re Considering Buying a Home
Kevin Brierton – 7.5.2023 If you’re thinking of buying a home, chances are you’re paying attention to just about everything you hear about the housing market. And you’re getting your information from a variety of channels: the news, social media, your real estate agent, conversations with friends and loved ones, overhearing someone chatting at the…
Read MoreReal Estate Is Still Considered the Best Long-Term Investment
Kevin Brierton – 6.6.2023 With all the headlines circulating about home prices and rising mortgage rates, you may wonder if it still makes sense to invest in homeownership right now. A recent poll from Gallup shows the answer is yes. In fact, real estate was voted the best long-term investment for the 11th consecutive year,…
Read More