If you have equity in your home, you may be able to borrow against it. The most common ways to do that are by taking out a home equity loan or a home equity line of credit, commonly referred to as a HELOC. There are important differences between...

When foreclosure proceedings are initiated, the first thing that should be understood is that there is help available. It is not a moment to panic; it is a moment to take immediate action. Foreclosures happen every day, but they’re also prevented...

If you owe less on your house than it’s worth, you have equity. That gives you some options if you’re ever strapped for cash because of unexpected medical bills or a prolonged period of unemployment. One of the most common ways to access the equity...

As a homeowner, you may mistakenly believe you can borrow money automatically against the equity in your home. After all, it’s your own money … right? The fact is, that lenders can and do deny home equity loan applications all the time. They do it...

Bankruptcy is never anyone’s first choice. Bankruptcy can affect your ability to get a good job or buy a new house. Bankruptcy will be on your credit report for up to 10 years. In addition to the stress it causes, there is a social stigma attached...

Just a short time ago, the economic future looked bright. Unemployment was at an all-time low, the stock market was at an all-time high, and most Americans felt secure in their jobs. Then COVID-19 struck. Now the economy is in freefall. The stock...

Things do happen. An unexpected job loss, unable to pay your property taxes, or extending your credit cards and maxing them out can create havoc in the financial lives of even the most conscientious and conservative homeowners. When you’re already...

One of the great advantages of owning your own home is the equity you build over time. The more equity you have in it, the more options you have if you ever become strapped financially. You can always sell the house, but that can take months...

The government can be relentless when it comes to collecting taxes owed by the residents it presides over. Anyone that has ever been caught in that loop can tell you that the government stops at nothing to collect their money. They have been known...