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5
What Will Really Make You Happy?
The idea of a happy and meaningful life has become unnecessarily complicated in some circles, says author and certified positive psychology coach Lynda Wallace, author of "A Short Course in Happiness: Practical Steps to a Happier Life."
"Happiness has been appropriately cited as a goal in political debates on issues from taxation to the social safety net to marriage equality, but the debate is often confused," says Wallace, whose book topped Amazon's Self-Help Best Seller list.
"Some people claim that happiness is all in your DNA or bank account. The truth is that happiness is largely a matter of everyday choices and actions. There are straightforward, well-researched and effective things every one of us can do to create greater happiness in our lives and in the lives of those we care about."
The essential elements of a happy life are not mysterious, she says.
23
What is the Difference: Amortization and Negative Amortization
If you're applying for a mortgage for the first time, it may feel like you're learning a second language. All of the terms and regulations can seem daunting. One that doesn't need to be is "amortization," which is just the act of paying off debt in regular installments over a period of time.
"When you amortize a loan you basically pay off the principal by making regular installment payments," says Michael Litzner, Broker of Century 21 American Homes, who explains that this process typically takes place gradually over several years.
Another term you may be hearing is "negative amortization." What is the difference? When your monthly payment isn't enough to cover the loan interest, then your loan principal increases rather than decreases. This is called negative amortization, otherwise referred to as "deferred interest."
22
How-To: Be a Better Buyer
Spring is the hottest home buying season, and this year, we are beginning to see a market shift, says Michael Litzner, Broker of Century 21 American Homes. Once a buyer's dream, the market is now shifting back toward the seller's side. What does this mean for you, the buyer? If you are looking for a new home this spring and summer, you may be in for a little competition. Don't let this deter you. In order to get your dream home for your dream price, become the best possible buyer you can be-before you even begin looking. This way, when you are dealing with a seller, you will have all of your ducks in a row, and they will take your offer seriously. Below are Litzner's tips for becoming a better buyer. Be pre-approved. "Many sellers won't even consider buyers who aren't already pre-approved for a mortgage, so do yourself a favor and take care of this before you even begin hunting," says Litzner. Understand your credit score. It's not just enough to know your credit score. Thoroughly...
15
Home Flipping 101: What You Need to Know
If you've been thinking about buying a home, renovating, and selling-also known as house flipping-then you may have a lot buzzing through your brain right now. The market is ripe with investment opportunities, and if you do the research, you can still snag a real deal on a fixer upper. Below,Michael Litzner, Broker of Century 21 American Homes outlines what you need to know about house flipping before you sign any dotted lines.
Do Your Research
Don't just pick up the first property that catches your eye. "Compare houses, prices and markets just like you would if you were buying a primary property," says Litzner.
Crunch Numbers
Talk to someone with experience flipp...
7
Tips to Ease First-Time Home Buyer Jitters
Traditionally, spring marks a busy period of time for housing market activity. With the heat of summer seemingly only weeks away, first-time homebuyers should learn strategies for finding their ideal home while keeping financial priorities in check. Buying a home can be the largest and most important financial decision one can make, so it is important to be aware of all the factors that go into making a responsible purchasing decision. The first step is figuring out how much you can afford to spend on homeownership, which means an honest assessment of the household balance sheet. Once you have a clear idea of where you stand financially, you can then make a responsible decision of what you can afford, including your down payment, monthly mortgage costs and other expenses like utility costs, property insurance and taxes. Here are a few tips: Making an affordability assessment Housing costs, including mortgage payments, property insurance and taxes, should not take up...