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A house with a front porch in the summer

The Cost of a Mortgage

A mortgage is likely going to be one of the largest loans you’ll take out in your life. It’s essential to understand all that goes into the cost and your responsibility in paying it back. Since monthly payments spread the cost of a mortgage loan over an extended period, it’s easy to forget the total […]

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A family outside their home with a for sale sign.

Selling Your House

Whether you need some more space, are ready to downsize into something a bit more manageable, or are relocating to a new place, you should prepare for the emotional and financial impacts of selling your home. The Costs of Selling In most cases, there are substantial costs in selling real estate that reduce the amount […]

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A couple holding out hands receiving a set of keys

To Buy or Not to Buy?

They say there’s no place like home, but does that mean you have to purchase one to get the benefits? Just like everything else, buying a home has its pros and cons. Pros of Buying a Home Fulfilling a Dream There’s a reason buying a home is considered a major part of the American Dream. […]

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Woman going through a checklist on a clipboard.

Mortgage Application Checklist

One of the most tedious parts of home buying is gathering the right documentation, but prepping beforehand makes it that much easier. The documents required for a mortgage application can be categorized by type: Proof of Income/Employment, Proof of Assets, Credit History, and Residential History. These give potential lenders a glimpse into your situation so […]

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a couple getting help creating a tax plan

Tax Planning

You can legitimately reduce the tax you owe by planning ahead. Retirement Account Contributions By keeping an eye on the tax consequences for your every day financial decisions, you can lower your tax bill. For example, lower taxable income means you pay lower income taxes. You can lower your taxable income by contributing to a […]

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a woman filing her tax return

Completing an Income Tax Return

Filing a tax return is a matter of following the line-by-line instructions that come with your tax form. Each form has its own set of instructions and includes a number of charts and worksheets to help you figure out if you’re eligible for credits, deductions, and exemptions. But before you begin to deal with a […]

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