Jennifer Vogel

Retirement is a time for relaxation, adventure, and enjoying the things you love. As you imagine this exciting new chapter in your life, it's important to think about whether your current home still fits your needs. If it's too big, too costly, or just not convenient anymore, downsizing might help you make the most of your retirement years. To find out if a smaller, more manageable home might be Continue Reading about Why Moving to a Smaller Home After Retirement Makes Life Easier

In life, patience is a virtue – but in the world of homebuying, waiting too long in hopes of finding the perfect home actually isn't wise. That’s because the pursuit of perfection comes at a cost. And in this case, that cost may be delaying your dream of homeownership. As Bankrate explains:“One of the most common first-time homebuyer mistakes is looking for a home that checks each of your boxes. Continue Reading about The Price of Perfection: Don’t Wait for the Perfect Home

If you’re thinking about selling your house, here’s something you really need to know. Even though it’s still a seller’s market today, you can’t pick just any price for your listing.While home prices are still appreciating in most areas, they’re climbing at a slower pace because higher mortgage rates are putting a squeeze on buyer demand. At the same time, the supply of homes for sale is growing. Continue Reading about Why Your Asking Price Matters Even More Right Now

Even if you didn't own a home at the time, you probably remember the housing crisis in 2008. That crash impacted the lives of countless people, and many now live with the worry that something like that could happen again. But rest easy, because things are different than they were back then. As Business Insider says:“Though many Americans believe the housing market is at risk of crashing, the Continue Reading about Not a Crash: 3 Graphs That Show How Today’s Inventory Differs from 2008

Some HighlightsThere are a few key things you’ll want to avoid after applying for a mortgage to make sure you’re in the best position when you get to the closing table.Don’t change bank accounts, apply for new credit, make any large purchases or transfers, and don’t co-sign loans for anyone. Here’s a good rule of thumb. Always connect with your loan officer before making any financial decisions Continue Reading about Things To Avoid After Applying for a Mortgage [INFOGRAPHIC]

Everyone’s vision for the future is personal and unique. But for many, common goals include success, freedom, and prosperity — values closely tied to having your own home and the iconic feeling of achieving the American Dream.A recent survey by Bankrate reveals exactly that: homeownership is still a part of the American Dream. The results show, at 78%, that owning a home tops the list, surpassing Continue Reading about Homeownership: The Heart of the American Dream

If you own a home, your net worth has probably gone up a lot over the past year. Home prices have been rising, which means you're building equity much faster than you might think. Here’s how it works.Equity is the current value of your home minus what you owe on the loan.Over the past year, there have still been more people wanting to buy than there are homes available for sale, and that’s pushed Continue Reading about Homeowners Gained $28K in Equity over the Past Year

With all the headlines circulating about home prices and mortgage rates, you may be asking yourself if it still makes sense to buy a home right now, or if it’s better to keep renting. Here’s some information that could help put your mind at ease by showing that investing in a home is still a powerful decision.According to the experts at Gallup, real estate has been crowned the top long-term Continue Reading about Real Estate Still Holds the Title of Best Long-Term Investment