Best home improvements for every month of the year

The best time of year to buy a refrigerator is right around the corner.

Does it feel as if your home improvement to-do list never ends? Try organizing your projects by month. Then knock these 12 items off your list.

Once you become a homeowner, the number of things you need (or want) to improve increases exponentially. There’s always something to be done. But certain times of year are better to tackle specific projects, whether your goal is to save money or sanity. Not sure where to begin? We’ve laid out a schedule below.

January: Clean your carpets and rugs

It may seem counterintuitive to do this when it’s cold out, but according to Jonathan Barnett, founder of Oxi…

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The Foreclosure Crisis: 10 Years Later | Keeping Current Matters

CoreLogic recently released a report entitled, United States Residential Foreclosure Crisis: 10 Years Later, in which they examined the years leading up to the crisis all the way through to present day.

With a peak in 2010 when nearly 1.2 million homes were foreclosed on, over 7.7 million families lost their homes throughout the entire foreclosure crisis.

Dr. Frank Nothaft, Chief Economist for CoreLogic, had this to say,

“The country experienced a wild ride in the mortgage market between 2008 and 2012, with the foreclosure peak occurring in 2010. As we look back over 10 years of the foreclosure crisis, we cannot ignore the connection between jobs and homeownership. A healthy economy is driven by jobs coupled with consumer confidence that…

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There are a number of reasons why people move during their senior years, from transitioning into a care facility to moving closer to family and friends. No matter the reason for their move, most seniors who relocate choose a smaller home for their post-retirement years.

Living in a smaller home frees up funds for travel and leisure, reduces the demands of house and yard work, and lets seniors retain their independence as mobility wanes. But there’s one big disadvantage of moving into a smaller home: Downsizing.

While downsizing is a great choice for seniors, it can also be a burdensome and emotionally draining task. However, there are a few tips you can follow to keep the process manageable.

Take Your Time

Your house holds a lifetime worth…

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Thinking of Selling? Do it TODAY!! | Keeping Current Matters

That headline might be a little aggressive. However, as the data on the 2017 housing market begins to roll in, we can definitely say one thing: If you are considering selling, IT IS TIME TO LIST YOUR HOME!

The February numbers are not in yet, but the January numbers were sensational. Lawrence Yun, Chief Economist for the National Association of Realtors, said:

“Much of the country saw robust sales activity last month as strong hiring and improved consumer confidence at the end of last year appear to have sparked considerable interest in buying a home. Market challenges remain, but the housing market is off to a prosperous start as homebuyers staved off inventory levels that are far from adequate…”

And CNBC says consumer confidence in…

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First Time Home Buyers Guide: Getting A Mortgage When You Have No Credit

FHA mortgages don't require a credit history -- or even a credit score

Getting A Mortgage When You Have No Credit

First-time home buyers face challenges that more experienced home buyers do not.

For example, a first-time home buyer may not be able to show the same stable work history that a more experienced buyer can show; and a first-time home buyer not have as much money saved.

But, perhaps, the biggest difference between a first-time home buyer and an experienced one is that first-time home buyers are less likely to have credit history.

First-time home buyers have had no mortgage, may own their car outright, and may reach for debit cards over credit cards when given the chance.

These three traits put first-time buyers "off the…

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7 kitchen upgrades under $5k that increase home values

New countertops and hardware can give your kitchen a fresh, new look (and catch buyers’ eyes in the meantime).

By Jessica Bowne | Mar 02, 2017 3:00PM

Boost your kitchen’s appeal and home value without breaking the bank.

It’s likely you spend much of your time at home in your kitchen, cooking, entertaining friends over a glass (or two) of wine, or talking through your day with family. But there may come a day when you look around and notice that this well-loved space is starting to look a bit worn. Suddenly, your favorite gathering spot has become a place you rush guests through, and you’re concerned that potential future buyers will be turned off by its…

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Cash Out Refinance Rental Property Guidelines And Mortgage Rates

Rental Property Owners Tap Into Rising Equity

Home prices are up -- way up.

According to the Federal Housing Finance Agency, home values have risen nearly 35% nationwide since 2012.

That's giving real estate investors a new opportunity to "cash out" the equity on their rental properties to accomplish a number of goals:

  • Buy another rental property
  • Make rental property improvements
  • Pay off other real estate loans
  • Reduce personal debt

With mortgage rates at half their historical norm, it could be an ideal time for rental property owners to put their equity to work.

Click to see today's rates (Feb 27th, 2017)

Why Get A Cash Out Rental Property Loan?

Home investors can get more benefit from their rental property…

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