Category: Blog

It’s no secret that the COVID-19 pandemic has affected everyone, and local governments are no exception. Due to a lack of federal aid, Chicago, in particular, passed a property tax increase in order to close the revenue gap caused by the pandemic. This new tax reform includes an increase of $93.9 million for a total … Continued

If you have bad credit, you probably know how stressful it can be; it severely limits your options when it comes to making big life decisions and can stagnate life’s financial necessities including, but not limited to:   Accessing quality lines of credit Acquiring student loans Acquiring home and auto loans Qualifying for apartment rentals … Continued

One of the most stressful things you can go through as a homeowner is losing your beloved abode due to unpaid bills. Particularly during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, millions of Americans have faced financial hardship because of record job losses, causing them to seek unemployment benefits. Experts estimate that up to 40 million people are … Continued

Homeowners in Illinois have probably noticed something startling over the past couple of years: their property taxes have been rising at an alarming rate. In fact, Illinois property taxes are the 2nd-highest in the country at 2.31% and are nearly double the national average. Typical Illinois homeowners pay over $4,000 per year, which can make … Continued

Your debt-to-income ratio (DTI) is one of the main factors traditional lenders take into account when deciding whether you qualify for a loan. The reasoning is pretty simple: if your current income status makes existing debt difficult to pay off, lenders will refuse to lend you more money since you will probably be unable to … Continued

Having a tax lien can be a nightmare, especially if you’re struggling financially. In order to sell or refinance your home, you must have it removed; and the only way to have it removed is to pay what you owe.   What is a Tax Lien? A tax lien is issued by the federal government … Continued

Having a shaky financial history, and subsequently a bad credit score, can hinder a lot of major life steps: buying a car, investing in property, opening a new credit card, and acquiring loans. Times can get tough for anyone, but traditional lending institutions need to see historical proof that you’re willing and able to pay … Continued

Being declined for a loan is a heartbreaking feeling that is surprisingly common. In 2017, around 10.8% of loans to purchase a home were denied, while 26% of refinancing loans were denied. Finding yourself in a situation like this makes you feel trapped and you may not know where to turn — but all hope … Continued

What Is a Rent-Back Agreement & How Does It Work? Has a bank ever blocked you from accessing your home’s equity? If you’ve had financial struggles like falling behind on mortgage payments, inability to pay medical bills, or drowning in credit card debt, you’ve probably tried to seek a financial life preserver from the bank. … Continued

Panic is not an unusual response when you see your job security disappear practically overnight as your debts mount at breakneck speed. Using your credit cards to pay for essentials is a stopgap measure at best. It’s also a very expensive option when you consider the money you’ll pay in interest in case you don’t … Continued