When does re-financing a mortgage make sense?
I have a 3.99% mortgage, and have been in the house just more than 2 years. We expect to be here at least another 3 years, maybe longer? Given that we might be moving in the not-to-distant future, does it make sense to refinance? I understand rates are really good right now. Is the...
Is there anywhere to put a portion of a monthly pension (VA disability benefits) that is safer than cash?
My spouse and I both receive VA disability benefits, but I worry about changes in government and inflation. Some of our money goes to the our investment portfolio, real estate, money markets, etc, but is there anything that's actually safer than a good-ole savings account/envelope under the mattress...
Mortgage financing: Do banks really care if your driveway is paved?
I'm looking to take out a mortgage on my house and I've heard that paving my driveway will increase the value of my house. Should I do this before so I can take out a larger mortgage or will it not dramatically make a difference? It's a pretty substantial financial decision so any and all advice wou...
How long will a short sale stay on my credit report and what's the best way to deal with it after the fact?
I had a short sale in my past that really butchered my credit for a long time. It took about 10 years for the blow to soften and my credit score to return to the 750+ range. In the future, and for others who don't have the luxury of waiting 10 years, are there better ways to deal with this outside o...
