Author Archives: theloanman

  You probably know that mortgage rates have been falling. Economists are predicting that they may fall even more, should the yield on the 10-year Treasury continue to decline. We thought rates were at a historic low some years ago … Continue reading →

When many of us think about capital gains we think of investors, but you as a homeowner could also be subject to capital gains tax. It comes into play when you sell your home (or other assets) at a profit. … Continue reading →

  Does home ownership still offer tax benefits? Yes, depending upon several factors: The benefits aren’t as pronounced, however, since the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act went into effect on Jan. 1, 2018. This raised the standard deduction to $24,400 … Continue reading →

  Money guru Dave Ramsey has a lot to say about buying houses, and one of the things he’s most adamant about is choosing a 15-year mortgage rather than a 30-year mortgage. He also says that you should wait to … Continue reading →

  When you obtained your mortgage loan you may have been given a choice between a 30-year payoff and a 15-year payoff. Perhaps you could have afforded the payments on a 15-year note, but wanted the security of the lower … Continue reading →

  Here’s what you need to know before you decide to add your name to that dotted line. First, what does co-signing really mean? At the bottom line, it means you are accepting full responsibility for making the loan payments.  … Continue reading →

  When you apply for a mortgage loan to buy a home, the better your credit score, the better interest rate you’ll get. So even if your score is good, it pays to make it better. If your credit is … Continue reading →

Unless you’re independently wealthy, shopping for a home means taking out a mortgage loan. Wise consumers shop for the loan before they shop for the house. Why? Because there are several types of home loans, and because different lenders offer … Continue reading →

Every state but New Jersey offers homeowners the opportunity to file a homestead tax exemption, which lowers the taxable value of our homes for property tax purposes. As the name “homestead” indicates, this tax break is available on your primary … Continue reading →

  Whether or not you should pay down your mortgage depends upon your plans and the other circumstances in your life. Let’s take a look at the pros and cons. First, the pros… Your mortgage will be paid off sooner. … Continue reading →