Canceling PMI can save you thousands. If you own a home and you put less than 20% down, it’s likely you have Private Mortgage Insurance, or PMI. This is insurance that you, the borrower, pays to protect your lender if you default on your mortgage. Stated another way, the loan-to-value ratio (LTV) is too high […]
In the early 2000s, property values were rising at a rapid rate and bringing with it newfound home equity. As property values rose and mortgage rates dropped, the temptation to refinance and take cash out became irresistible for many. This financial transaction is not so affectionately known as “using your home as an ATM.” It’s officially known as […]
If you’re a potential home buyer, you need to distinguish between two very different things. Ask yourself, “should I invest in real estate or buy a home?” We often justify the purchase of a home by calling it an investment. But is it? While I don’t suggest getting too caught up in semantics, it is important […]
As we say goodbye to 2015, here’s a look back at some of the most popular posts on The Astute Advisor blog. Hopefully you find some of these articles helpful. If you ever have a question or would like to provide feedback, please let me know. You can contact me via email through the website. Here are […]
At some point, most everyone has asked the question “should I buy house or rent?” Buying a home is often considered a key component of the “American Dream.” But for many, it became the American Nightmare during last decade’s Great Recession. According to a recent article on CNBC “more than 6.5 million homeowners are still underwater” […]
Guest post from Andrew Comstock, CFA with Castlebar Asset Management In my financial planning discussions a question that universally comes up with clients (young and old) is should they pay more on their mortgage each month or take the extra money and invest it. The answer is not always straightforward and there is no rule […]
