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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

Online Mortgage Deals: They’re Not Your Parents’ Home Loan

By Sabado Domingo

It's a pretty safe bet that when your parents were buying their first house, the only way to get a mortgage was to go directly to a bank -- or search around town for one of only a few mortgage brokers willing to help. Thankfully, times have ...

Continue reading Online Mortgage Deals: They’re Not Your Parents’ Home Loan

April 10, 2019

Why Many People Are Choosing to Buy a Villa for Their Next Home

By Enero Febrero

Villas are the ultimate homes to live in. Modern villas are made from high quality building materials and user-friendly appliances, which makes the living experience even sweeter. These homes are designed for maximum comfort and habitability via the ...

Continue reading Why Many People Are Choosing to Buy a Villa for Their Next Home

March 20, 2019

How Spending Money Can Help Your House Fetch a Higher Sale Price

By Tex Freitag

Putting a house up for sale is a lot more complicated than putting a 'For Sale' sign outside your house and phoning up a few real estate agents to manage the property. For one, there's the task of finding another place to stay while the house is ...

Continue reading How Spending Money Can Help Your House Fetch a Higher Sale Price

February 6, 2019

What Services Does a Mortgage Licensing Company Offer?

By Tex Freitag

Looking to become a loan officer? Want to work at a financial institution, or expand the services offered by your current company? Many people do not accomplish this all on their own; they may use the services provided by a mortgage licensing ...

Continue reading What Services Does a Mortgage Licensing Company Offer?

January 11, 2019

4 Home Financing Options for People with Poor Credit

By Sabado Domingo

We've all heard the countless horror stories from our friends with poor credit. A poor credit score can absolutely ruin your finances and any future plans you may have had; this includes your ability to buy a new home or car, and can even affect your ...

Continue reading 4 Home Financing Options for People with Poor Credit

December 21, 2018

When Is the Best Age to Buy Your First Home?

By Tex Freitag

While there really isn't a "best age" to buy your first home, according to a study by Bankrate.com, everyone except the oldest Americans said the best time to buy your first home is at the age of 28. As a point of reference, the median age for ...

Continue reading When Is the Best Age to Buy Your First Home?

November 22, 2018

5 Things Every Student Must Know Before Renting Their First Apartment

By Alkire Leanna

The excitement of leaving home and going to college is a feeling that most students experience when they're making that big change in their lives. Many students rejoice over the fact that they'll be away from home where there are no house ...

Continue reading 5 Things Every Student Must Know Before Renting Their First Apartment

August 16, 2018

Grandfather Says: Here’s a Clever Way to Change Neighborhoods

By RD Blakeslee

Grandfather says he moved his house once. When the road in front of it was widened, he moved it out of the way, up to the top of a hill on his place. That was before the family moved where we have been for 40 years now. Grandfather learned a ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: Here’s a Clever Way to Change Neighborhoods

June 14, 2018

Here Are a Few Basic Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Home Loan

By Enero Febrero

Today, almost everyone understands that the last recession had its roots in domestic mortgage borrowing. Many home loans were effectively toxic and were almost completely dependent upon the increase in real estate values providing lenders with their ...

Continue reading Here Are a Few Basic Factors to Consider When Shopping for a Home Loan

May 8, 2018

5 Basic Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

By Sabado Domingo

Buying a house for the first time can be a thrilling and nerve-wracking experience. Although the learning curve is steep, doing a bit of financial homework will make the task a lot easier. With that in mind, here are a few tips that will help make ...

Continue reading 5 Basic Tips for First-Time Homebuyers

May 4, 2018

3 Essential Tips for Finding the Best Home Loan

By Sabado Domingo

Going through the mortgage process can be an intimidating, overwhelming experience, even for people who have done it before. For newcomers, it can be especially difficult. It's easy to understand why: you're facing the prospect of entering into an ...

Continue reading 3 Essential Tips for Finding the Best Home Loan

February 14, 2018

A Quick Overview of 4 Potential Loan Options for Homebuyers

By Sabado Domingo

When we think of financing for a home, we often assume that there are very few options. Sure, we know about first-time home buyer's options. We might also know that we can find loans with varying term periods. But there are other options out there ...

Continue reading A Quick Overview of 4 Potential Loan Options for Homebuyers

February 2, 2018

How to Know If It’s Better to Renovate Your Current Home or Move

By Tex Freitag

Home buying is an emotional decision, seldom dominated by the most rational part of the mind. That's not to say that there is nothing practical about buying a home. But practicality is only one part of the equation. There's always a mix of practical ...

Continue reading How to Know If It’s Better to Renovate Your Current Home or Move

November 24, 2017

Basic Tips for Buying Your First Home on a Budget

By Enero Febrero

Buying your first home can be both exciting and terrifying at the same time. The old standard of saving a 20% down payment seems like an insurmountable task at times -- but there are alternatives available that can make owning your home a dream come ...

Continue reading Basic Tips for Buying Your First Home on a Budget

May 3, 2017

Real Estate Agents: Why They’re Not Worth It

By Len Penzo

I've sold one house in my lifetime -- way back in 1997 -- and I did that without a real estate agent. Yep ... For sale by owner (or FSBO). It wasn't supposed to be that way.I actually started out with a realtor because I thought it would be crazy ...

Continue reading Real Estate Agents: Why They’re Not Worth It

March 20, 2017

Is It Better to Be Prequalified or Preapproved for a Mortgage?

By Len Penzo

Readers: This is article 23 of 25 from my no-nonsense "Mortgage Basics" quick-reference series. The difference between being prequalified or preapproved for a home loan can be a critical factor in determining whether or not you'll get the home of ...

Continue reading Is It Better to Be Prequalified or Preapproved for a Mortgage?

October 27, 2016

The Latest Home Buying Survey Shows Increased Optimism

By Len Penzo

Owning a home has always been a big part of the American Dream. In fact, with the wide variety of homes on the market and interest rates still near historic all-time lows, it's no wonder that so many people remain seriously interested in taking steps ...

Continue reading The Latest Home Buying Survey Shows Increased Optimism

May 20, 2015

Mailbag: Are US Savings Bonds Worth Buying Anymore?

By Len Penzo

So in light of the Federal deficit, devaluation of the dollar, lack of jobs, etc., what's your view of U.S. Savings Bonds these days? I have some, and can't find anyone talking about whether they're still a good investment. Yes, they earn relatively ...

Continue reading Mailbag: Are US Savings Bonds Worth Buying Anymore?

November 26, 2014

Comparing Tiger Woods’ Home Carrying Costs to Mine

By Len Penzo

When it comes to holes-in-one, I always tell anyone who will listen that Tiger Woods has got nothing on me. Did you know I recorded my first ace not long after reaching my 18th birthday, fully two months before Tiger got his first one? I ...

Continue reading Comparing Tiger Woods’ Home Carrying Costs to Mine

September 16, 2013

What Goes Around Comes Around: Rising Interest Rates Are Inevitable

By Len Penzo

Last summer my 12-year-old daughter, Nina, was extolling the fashion virtues of her hot pink Converse Chuck Taylor All-Star high-top sneakers, better known to many as simply, "Chucks." What I found amusing was while Nina really thought she was on ...

Continue reading What Goes Around Comes Around: Rising Interest Rates Are Inevitable

March 26, 2012

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