mortgages

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

How homeowners can go back into debt, lose their home, and pay for the privilege

I’ve long said that if they are advertising something, you don’t need it. This was one of my very first blog posts from years ago, and I stick by it. Now “need” is different from “want”, of course. You may … Read MoreRead More