The Federal Reserve is expected to keep its key rate steady on Wednesday, after a series of cuts that lowered rates by a full percentage point last year. And with inflation ticking slightly higher, economists do not expect another cut for a while, which has implications for rates on credit … Read more
Wishing you could buy a home? It can be challenging to save enough for a down payment, given how much houses now cost. But many people don’t realize there are myriad programs that offer grants or loans to help home buyers come up with the necessary funds. “There are tons … Read more
When you’re shopping for a mortgage, credit card or other form of debt, your credit score has a significant impact on everything from your approval odds to the interest rate. While the best way to build credit is to pay your bills on time and maintain low amounts of debt, … Read more
The Federal Reserve Building in Washington, D.C. Joshua Roberts | Reuters The Federal Reserve announced Thursday that it will lower its benchmark rate by a quarter point, or 25 basis points, less than two days after President-elect Donald Trump won the 2024 election. Economic uncertainty was a prevailing mood heading into … Read more
Last week, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell all but confirmed that an interest rate cut is coming soon. “The time has come for policy to adjust,” the central bank leader said in his keynote address at the Fed’s annual retreat in Jackson Hole, Wyoming. For Americans struggling to keep up … Read more
Installment loans give you something even more valuable than money — time. These loans give you a lump sum of cash and let you pay down your debt in regular, scheduled installments. But if you have bad credit, the peace of mind that comes with installment loans may seem out … Read more
An “Open House” sign is displayed in the front yard of a home for sale in Columbus, Ohio, U.S. Bloomberg | Bloomberg | Getty Images Thinking of buying a home with the help of a real estate agent? You can no longer take it for granted that a seller will … Read more
A reverse mortgage can help retirees access cash while living on a fixed income. Reverse mortgages allow you to borrow against your home’s value without the monthly payments that traditional mortgages or home equity loans require. The loan must only be repaid when you no longer use that home as … Read more
SoFi has low interest rates and approves borrowers with scores as low as 600, making it an excellent option if your credit score is lower than the 620 required by most lenders. We also love that this online lender allows first-time homebuyers to put as little as 3% down and … Read more
Anyone out shopping for a home today knows there is still precious little for sale. The housing market is just beginning to come out of its leanest few years in history. Inventory of both new and existing homes is finally rising, but there is something suddenly strange in the numbers: … Read more
