A 30-year loan has lower monthly payments than a 15-year loan. See why investing the difference in monthly payments doesn’t pay off for a long time.
I Paid Off My Mortgage But My Housing Cost Didn’t Go Down
The largest cost of owning a home free-and-clear is the opportunity cost of the money tied down to the home. Full cost of housing includes both cash expenses and the opportunity cost.
Extra Mortgage Payment: Do Dates Matter?
If you are paying extra toward your mortgage, does it matter which day you make the extra principal payment within a month?
Prepaying Mortgage Does Not Make You Invest More In Real Estate
Your home does not know you have a mortgage.
Savings Rate and Mortgage Loan Payments
The final answer on whether loan payments are savings or an expense.
Where To Get The Best Rate On A Home Equity Loan
Rates on home equity loans vary greatly from bank to bank. You have to know where to go for the best rates.
Bay Area Real Estate: Buy Now Or Wait?
What should you consider if you are thinking of buying a home in the San Francisco Bay Area now?
The Right and Wrong Reasons To Buy A Home
Homebuyer survey results show that no everyone is buying a home for the right reasons.
Is Home Mortgage Simple Interest Or Compound Interest?
I had a good chuckle while reading this epic discussion thread on the Bogleheads Investment Forum: Does a home mortgage use Simple or Compound Interest? It sounds a like factual question, as in "Is Miami located to the north or south of Boston?" The answer shouldn’t be ambiguous or subject to opinion or interpretation. You […]
Savings Secured Loan: Good Or Not?
I received an interesting offer in the mail from my credit union. It’s for a savings secured loan. The credit union offers to give me a loan if I pledge an equal amount in my savings account as collateral for the loan. If I pledge $10,000, they will lend me $10,000. If I pledge $50,000, […]
Payment Flexibility Insurance: Pay a 30-Year Loan On a 15-Year Schedule
Paying a 30-year mortgage on a 15-year schedule costs a lot more than getting a straight 15-year mortgage.
The Best Way to Refinance a Small Mortgage
A reader asked me about refinancing a mortgage. I gave him my usual spiel about getting a no cost refinance, stepping down the ladder, etc. I also gave him the short list of lenders I shop from: First IB, NMA, and AmeriSave. He came back to me saying he couldn’t get a no cost refi […]