Articles by Peter Warden - Page 39

If you're wondering when to refinance, consider your objectives and see if you'll pay less interest, reduce your payment, or lower your overall costs.

Fake landlord scams can cost you time, money and sanity. Here's how to rent safely, and find the deals that are actually good enough to be true.

Creating a budget is something every adult should do. Especially if they plan to buy a home. And today's online tools make that task easier than ever, so let's get started.

Buying a small house can make financing your first home easier. You may have less square footage, but you'll also have a smaller down payment and mortgage.

Not everyone likes hotels. Buying a second home might be a better option, so weigh the pros and cons before you decide.

What improvements should you make before selling a home? Start with smaller projects and those needed to correct health and safety issues.

If you have to move, should you sell your house or rent it out? It depends on the numbers and how you feel about becoming a landlord.

A first-time landlord tends to focus in the good stuff (money!) and gloss over the inconvenient truths (midnight complaints, late rent, vacancies). Here's how to tell if you've go the right stuff to be a first-time landlord.

How can you keep your second home repaired and maintained and repaired from a distance?

A home inspection can find a home's hidden defects before you buy it. Here's what to expect on your report, and how to read it.

You may need bad credit loans if your credit is poor or even fair. FICO credit score ranges divide consumers into four tiers: excellent, good, fair and poor.

How much rent can I afford? What will my next rent increase be? Predicting your next rent raise isn't a no-brainer, but if you understand local trends, you'll have a better idea. The good news is that in much of the country, rent increases have slowed down.

What's better for you? A condo or house? Find out how to compare them and make the right choice when you buy a home.

You could probably pain your home yourself, if you're willing and able. But many would rather leave it in the (hopefully) capable hands of painting contractors. Here's how to find a cood one, and what you should expect to pay.

Once you have mortgage approval, don't blow it before the home closing process. Avoid changes to your application and make sure your final documents are correct.

The time to find a licensed plumber in your area is before you need one. Here's how to choose one.

Electricians can take care of dangerous or annoying tasks in your home that you don't want to do. Here's what you need to know about hiring an electrican.

Unless you want to put up a roof yourself, you'll likely be talking to roofing contractors. Here's what you need to know about getting bids from and working with roofing contractors.