5/1 ARM vs. 10/1 ARM: How to Choose
If you’ve decided to get an adjustable-rate mortgage, the next step is to choose a term. The 5/1 ARM and 10/1 ARM are among the most common rate adjustment terms.…
Beth Buczynski
Beth Buczynski is a mortgages and homeownership editor whose work has been featured by The Associated Press, The Washington Post, USA Today and Money magazine, among others. She's also survived two home purchases, two mortgage refinances and one home sale. (Selling was the most stressful.) Email: [email protected]
Posts by Beth Buczynski:
Is an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Right for You?
If you’re confident you’ll relocate or pay off your mortgage in 10 years or less, an adjustable-rate mortgage, or ARM, may be the best home loan option for you. There…
Build Your Down Payment With a Sweat Equity Mortgage
Saving a down payment is challenging for many first-time home buyers, and even if they manage it, more obstacles lie ahead. After choosing a lender and getting approved, buyers still…
Answers to 9 of the Most Googled Mortgage Questions
Mortgages are a lot like cars: Even those who have one don’t always understand what’s going on under the hood. Whether you’re dreaming of your first house or living in…
Buying a Home by Age 35 Is Worth It Now — and Later
Nicole Christianson, a 26-year-old sales rep, was tired of writing big checks for tiny apartments. And she wanted to do more with her cash than stash it in a savings…
Answers for Your HELOC Questions in 10 Words or Less
Pop quiz: How much home equity do you have? If you haven’t done the math in a while, that number may be bigger than you think. “There’s a record amount…
5 Inconvenient Truths About Real Estate Agents
Buying or selling a home is likely the biggest financial transaction you’ll ever complete. Real estate agents can guide you through the process, but hire the wrong one, and you…
Is a Rent-to-Own Home Right for You?
Spend an afternoon poring over online apartment listings, and you’ll see them: flashy ads urging you to “rent to own” a home instead of just renting. The pictures look normal.…
What Rising DTI Limits Mean for Your Next Mortgage
Getting approved for a mortgage is like running an obstacle course: There are lots of hurdles to overcome and you’ll probably be tired and a bit bruised at the finish…
Use This ‘Hack’ to Stress Less About Your Mortgage
Houses aren’t cheap, and the money you plunk down on closing day is only the beginning. Nearly 30% of homeowners say their monthly housing costs, such as mortgage payments, homeowners…
