Get a Home Loan Without Dipping into Retirement Savings

If you’re planning to buy a home, you may be worried if you’ll have enough money saved for a down payment. You’ve probably heard that you can use retirement funds to help, but it’s important to know the restrictions, or you could be stuck paying penalties and taxes. And even though a home can be a great investment, taking out retirement funds early could hurt your long-term security.

Here’s what you should know before you make any financial moves. Continue reading

First-Time Homebuyer? Avoid These 4 Costly Mistakes

Buying your first home is a tremendous achievement, but the journey to get there can sometimes feel like a winding road rather than a straight path. That’s why it’s important to learn as much as you can about the process and lean on the expertise of your real estate agent to help you navigate any bumps along the way.

Here are four common mistakes first-time buyers make, and what you can do to steer clear of them.

 

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Buying or Refinancing? Get the Right Home Loan

As a not-for-profit financial cooperative, SchoolsFirst FCU provides affordable solutions to help you achieve the dream of homeownership. Because we return profits after expenses to Members in the form of lower interest rates and low or no fees whenever possible, we offer highly competitive mortgage solutions, along with expert guidance to help you make the most of your money. Continue reading

Buying or Selling a Home During COVID-19

The coronavirus pandemic has many people wondering whether they should delay their home purchase or if they’re selling, pull their listing from the market. COVID-19 has required many industries to make adjustments, and real estate is no exception. Whether you’re in a situation where you need to buy or sell a home, or you simply want to take advantage of historically low mortgage rates, it’s essential to understand how the real estate landscape has changed.

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Affordable Ways to Refresh Your Home

Home improvements can rejuvenate a stale dwelling. But remodeling and renovations could set you back thousands of dollars for each room.

A “midrange minor kitchen remodel” — including hardware, countertops, flooring and a refrigerator — is about $21,000, on average, according to Remodeling magazine’s 2018 Cost vs. Value report. But with the right approach, you can give your abode some TLC without busting your budget.

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