mortgage

Mountain wall

The debt doldrums: how to manage a single large debt

Do you have a really big debt? I do. It’s called my mortgage. Last year, I was able to successfully pay down my mortgage such that my loan-to-value ratio (essentially, the percentage of how much I owed on my home) hit … Read MoreRead More

Trophies

Getting rid of PMI (part 5): The moment of truth?

Part of a series: Getting rid of PMI (part 1): The P stands for “parasite” Getting rid of PMI (part 2): The M stands for “misdirection” Getting rid of PMI (part 3): The I stands for “I already told you” … Read MoreRead More

White Cliffs of Dover

Getting rid of PMI (part 4): Hard work vs. a risky shortcut

Part of a series: Getting rid of PMI (part 1): The P stands for “parasite” Getting rid of PMI (part 2): The M stands for “misdirection” Getting rid of PMI (part 3): The I stands for “I already told you” … Read MoreRead More

Getting rid of PMI (part 3): The I stands for “I already told you”

Part of a series: Getting rid of PMI (part 1): The P stands for “parasite” Getting rid of PMI (part 2): The M stands for “misdirection” Getting rid of PMI (part 3): The I stands for “I already told you” … Read MoreRead More

Free cash sign

Four ill-advised reasons to refinance your mortgage

So there are definitely some reasons where refinancing a mortgage could be a good move. Rates too high? Terms no good? Not going to be moving for a while? It could make a lot of sense, and save you money. … Read MoreRead More

White elephant statue

Is it time for me to refinance? My mortgage origination company thinks so

I closed on my home almost two years ago. And while I made the terms a little longer than I needed to, my plan currently is to pay it off as if it were a 15 year mortgage. As I’ve … Read MoreRead More

Labyrinth game

What’s a mortgage refinance?

You might think that the life cycle of owning a home is that you buy something, get a mortgage, pay off mortgage, and then live happily ever after. But this omits the fun world of mortgage refinance. Because it was … Read MoreRead More

Scribble Squiggle

Getting rid of PMI (part 2): The M stands for “misdirection”

Part of a series: Getting rid of PMI (part 1): The P stands for “parasite” Getting rid of PMI (part 2): The M stands for “misdirection” Getting rid of PMI (part 3): The I stands for “I already told you” … Read MoreRead More

Exasperated face

Getting rid of PMI (part 1): The P stands for “parasite”

Part of a series: Getting rid of PMI (part 1): The P stands for “parasite” Getting rid of PMI (part 2): The M stands for “misdirection” Getting rid of PMI (part 3): The I stands for “I already told you” … Read MoreRead More

Why signing up for an accelerated mortgage payment plan is a bad idea

  Did you ever notice how when you move and submit one of those change-of-address forms, your new mailbox is automatically inundated with tons of ads for unnecessary crap? Entreaties to sign up for services like the Gravel of the … Read MoreRead More