Beautifying Your Financial Picture

  • How Much Do You Really Know About Off-Shore Trusts?

    23 December 2018

    When you hear the term "off-shore trust," what comes to mind? If you've watched a lot of movies, your mind might jump to tax evasion and fraud. It's true that some unscrupulous individuals use off-shore trusts to evade the IRS and hide "dirty" money. However, off-shore trusts are not the scary, all-bad boogeyman you might think they are. Below, you will discover three myths about off-shore trusts -- and the real truth about these valuable money tools.

  • 3 Reasons to Use the FHA 203K Home Loan When Buying a Foreclosure

    14 October 2018

    When the inventory of available homes is low, as it currently is, it can be very difficult for prospective buyers to locate and purchase a home that is considered ready for immediate occupancy. A good way to expand the selection and help these buyers succeed in finding a suitable home to purchase is to make it easier for them to finance and repair homes that need work before they can be occupied.

  • Staying Above Water: Ways To Make Your Mortgage More Manageable

    24 July 2018

    After the past couple of decades—can you believe it's been over 10 years since the Great Recession already?—the mortgage scene has changed considerably. From the shaky subprime loans of the '00s to the tighter qualifications during the recession to the resurgence of adjustable-rate loans now, home buyers have experienced a seesaw of requirements. Life has been pretty good lately for a lot of people, and mortgage requirements are once again being relaxed.

  • In Your 30s? 3 Ways To Take Care Of Your Finances

    19 April 2018

    For many individuals, their 30s are when they start to hit their stride with their career, bringing home real paychecks. This is also the time period of one's life when big expenses, outside of college, such as children and homes start to come up. Your earning potential combined with life changes mean that you need to be smart with your money in your 30s. 1. Start Living Below Your Means