Shawn Tihen: First Horizon Mortgage

08/28/2024

The number of Americans tapping into their home equity lines of credit (HELOC) has risen around 20% since bottoming out in the third quarter of 2021.

According to the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, the number of Americans tapping into their home equity lines of credit (HELOC) has risen around 20% since bottoming out in the third quarter of 2021. Bankrate Analyst Jeff Ostrowski joins Wealth! to break down some of the ways homeowners can tap int...

08/26/2024

Renovating a home is not for the faint of heart. You have to deal with an incredible amount of pressure to get things right while also having people work in your living space. But on top of all that, there are also financial factors to consider.

Renovating a home is not for the faint of heart. You have to deal with an incredible amount of pressure to get things right while also having people work in your living space. But on top of all that,...

08/23/2024

It's entirely possible to get a home loan while carrying student loan debt, so long as you still meet the lender’s criteria.

You can buy a home when you have student loan debt, but the debt can present some challenges.

08/21/2024

A cash-out refinance and HELOC are two ways to tap your home equity, each with pros and cons. Find out which is better for your situation.

08/12/2024

If you’ve been feeling the pinch of inflation, you’re not alone. A new study shows that 93% of U.S. adults are concerned about how rising prices will impact their budgets, and 95% have experienced sticker shock over how expensive items are now.

Prices are out of control, but your budget doesn't have to be. Keep your costs in line with these tricks.

08/07/2024

When your paychecks quit rolling in, will you be OK? Run through this pre-retirement checklist to see how ready you really are for life on a fixed income.

08/05/2024

You can lower your mortgage payment by refinancing for a lower interest rate, making a bigger down payment, or modifying the loan terms

Learn how to lower your mortgage payment by refinancing your loan to gain a lower interest rate, changing the loan’s term, cutting insurance costs, and other strategies.

07/29/2024

Home equity loans work like mortgages. They offer lump-sum financing and fixed interest and payments. On the other hand, a HELOC is a credit line that gives you flexible access to your equity. And, in exchange for that flexibility, you'll typically need to agree to variable interest and payments.

Do you need to access $100,000 worth of home equity? Here's how to determine the best way to do so.

07/25/2024

The good news for homeowners in 2024 is that home equity is at a record high in the US.

The good news for homeowners in 2024 is that home equity is at a record high in the US. The bad news? Due to high interest rates, it's harder for homeowners to tap it through refinancing because...

07/22/2024

Home equity borrowing is a smart way to access significant sums of money, especially now that the average homeowner has near-record-high amounts of funding to access.

Are you looking to borrow $80,000 of home equity but aren't sure which way to proceed? Here's what to consider now.

07/18/2024

Potential homebuyers may have their interest in the housing market re-ignited, with visits to homes that are for sale increasing.

A dip in mortgage rates may be encouraging Americans to come back to the housing market

07/17/2024

If your student debt is holding you back from your financial goals, that's a good sign you owe too much. Here are other signs you have too much debt.

07/15/2024

For senior homeowners, however, there may be a smart and cost-effective alternative to access large sums of cash – their home equity.

Seniors homeowners in need of funding may want to consider a HELOC. But is it a safe? Here's what to know now.

07/11/2024

Negotiating closing costs can save you thousands when buying a home. But not every fee associated is negotiable. Here's what you need to know to get the best deal.

07/10/2024

In the realm of personal finance, sensible retirement planning and the fear of missing out (FOMO) often stand at odds with each other.

Don't let hot stock trends and fear of missing out derail your financial plan. Succumbing to emotion could put your retirement lifestyle at risk.

07/05/2024

Renovating your house can feel more like emptying your wallet. But some renovations are worth extra money—and some aren’t.

07/03/2024

Not sure if it's quite safe to refinance your mortgage? Here are three signs that it may be time.

Mortgage rates are ticking downward again. Here are three signs it may be safe for you to pursue a refinance.

06/27/2024

To get a home improvement loan, you’ll need to take several steps. Here are some tips to get started.

A home improvement loan can provide the funds you need to renovate or remodel your home. Here’s how to get a loan that meets your needs.

06/27/2024

Before you take the retirement plunge, you might want to make sure each of these things is addressed so you can focus on enjoying your golden years.

06/24/2024

If you owe money on your credit cards, you may be looking for solutions to get rid of that high-interest debt. Here are some popular options to consolidate them!

A debt consolidation loan can be a great tool, but it's not the only option for paying off high-interest debt.

06/20/2024

Credit reports are notoriously prone to errors, but in the past few years the errors seem to be more ubiquitous and harder to fix. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the total number of consumer complaints regarding credit- report issues jumped more than 4x between 2019 and 2023, from 165,000 to 711,802.

Complaints about errors in credit reports have shot up. Here’s why — and how to fix them.

06/17/2024

A cash-out refinance can help you secure a loan with lower interest rates compared to credit cards and other unsecured loans, but it’s not a good fit for everyone. Check out this guide on cash-out refinances to learn more.

A cash-out refinance can help you secure a loan with lower interest rates compared to credit cards and other unsecured loans. But it’s not a good fit for everyone. Check out our guide on cash-out refinances to learn more.

06/10/2024

Here, we explore HELOC pros and cons you should know if you’re wondering if a home equity line of credit is right for you.

06/06/2024

If you're not exactly sure how much money you need, a HELOC may be your better option this June. If you choose a home equity loan and need more money in the future, you'll typically need to apply for a new loan.

HELOCs and home equity loans both let you tap your equity, but one option could make more sense this June.

06/05/2024

With the rising cost of tuition alongside increasing university enrollment rates, students nationwide cannot find affordable housing. In fact, one-fifth of U.S. students have faced housing insecurity — or find themselves without a permanent place of residence during their studies.

With the rising cost of tuition alongside increasing university enrollment rates, students nationwide cannot find affordable housing.

06/03/2024

As home values skyrocketed in the last few years, homeowners have enjoyed a major perk: more equity. But the question is - how much equity do you need to refinance?

Vault’s Viewpoint on Equity For A Mortgage Refinance Most loan programs require at least 20% equity to refinance.  Very few options exist to refi

05/29/2024

In a balanced housing market, there are typically five to six months of supply. Today, most markets are averaging half that amount, meaning there’s far more buyer demand than there are homes for sale.

Housing inventory is recovering slowly in some markets, but home prices are still high.

05/27/2024

It's certainly possible to use a HELOC to wipe your mortgage obligations, but it may not make sense for everyone.

05/22/2024

If you have a lot of existing high-interest debt, you might be better off taking care of that first, before making repairs or upgrades to your home. Rather, you might use home equity financing for debt consolidation instead, which could lower your monthly payments.

Home equity borrowing can help you afford important maintenance projects, but there could be some risks.

05/09/2024

Here’s everything you need to know about how divorce impacts your mortgage.

Bankrate helps with your divorce mortgage options, including how to split the house and take your name off the mortgage.