What Is a Good APR for a Home Loan?

A happy family of four enjoying breakfast together in a bright, cozy home

One of the most important parts of your mortgage loan estimate is the annual percentage rate, or APR. This number calculates the yearly cost to borrow while accounting for both your interest rate and lender fees. Find out how APR works and how to get a good one during your homebuying process. What’s considered a […]

How to Use Home Equity

Modern house with solar panels

Have home equity available? Explore all of the ways you could use this financial resource.

Is Remodeling an Old Fixer-Upper Worth It?

Example of potential result from remodel planning

Whether you’re taking a home you already love and making it better or taking a fixer-upper and restoring it to livability, the key to a successful remodel is planning. Remodel projects take a significant investment in time, money, and effort, and the details can become overwhelming without proper planning. Fortunately, by breaking it down step-by-step […]

Small Bathroom? Big Opportunity: Bathrooms and Home Equity

Bathroom renovation

One of the biggest reasons to remodel or add to your home is to improve its resale value. Many renovations and remodel projects show a solid average return on investment (ROI.) While opinions vary on whether adding a bathroom is a smart way to boost a home’s value, a bathroom addition can often have a […]

How Much Equity Do You Need for a HELOC?

How Much Equity Do You Need for a HELOC?

You probably already know that a home equity line of credit (HELOC) may be one of the smartest ways to fund significant home repairs, pay for education costs or consolidate outstanding high-interest debt into a single loan at a lower interest rate. But how much home equity do you need for a HELOC? In this […]