Calculate Capital Gains When you sell a stock, you owe taxes on the difference between what you paid for the stock and how much you got for the sale. The same holds true in home sales, but there are other considerations. How to Calculate Gain Your home’s original sales price when you bought it (not […]

Questions to Ask When Considering Selling These questions will help you decide whether you’re ready for a home that’s larger or in a more desirable location. If you answer yes to most of the questions, you may be ready to move. Have you built substantial equity in your current home? Check your annual mortgage statement […]

New Owners Checklist Before the property changes hands, consult this list to make sure these items are transferred with the house. Owner’s manuals and warranties for any appliances left in the house. Garage door opener(s). Extra set of house keys. Other keys. Think beyond the front doors; do you have any cabinets or lockers built […]

How to Move with Pets Update your pet’s tag with your new address. Make sure your pet’s collar is sturdy and correctly sized. The tag should also include your mobile number and e-mail address so that you can be reached during the move. Request veterinary records. Ask your current vet to send your pet’s medical […]

Prepare for Your Move Checklist Update your mailing address at usps.com or fill out a change-of-address form at your local post office. Change your address with important service providers, such as your bank(s), credit companies, magazine subscriptions, and others. Create a list of people who will need your new address. Whether you plan on sending […]

How to Pack Like a Pro Plan ahead. Develop a master to-do list so you won’t forget something critical heading into moving day. This will also help you create an estimate of moving time and costs. Discard items you no longer want or need. Ask yourself how frequently you use an item and how you’d […]

Track Your Budget The first step in getting yourself in financial shape to buy a home is to know exactly how much money comes in and how much goes out. Use this worksheet to list your income and expenses below. Income                Expenses             […]

Loans & Lending Terms Term. Mortgages are generally available at 15-, 20-, or 30-year terms. In general, the longer the term, the lower the monthly payment. However, shorter terms mean you pay less interest over the life of the loan. Fixed vs. adjustable interest rates. A fixed rate allows you to lock in a low […]

How to Improve Your Credit Credit scores play a big role in determining whether you’ll qualify for a loan and what your loan terms will be. So, keep your credit score high by doing the following: Check for errors in your credit report. Thanks to an act of Congress, you can download one free credit […]

How to Creatively Finance a Home Investigate local, state, and national down payment assistance programs. These programs give qualified applicants loans or grants to cover all or part of your required down payment. National programs include the Nehemiah program, Getdownpayment.com, and the American Dream Down Payment Fund from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. […]