Cheryl Nightingale - Monarch Realty Group, LLC

When you binge-watch a little too much HGTV, it's easy to come to some crazy conclusions. Conclusions like, "House flipping looks easy! I should try it!" Well, maybe you should -- we sure won't stop you! -- but before you jump into your very first home flip, make sure you know what common mistakes first-time flippers are in danger of making so that you can avoid the same fate. Not having the finances Before you flip a house, you have to buy it. Depending on whether you're paying all-cash or getting a mortgage loan (and whether you already own a primary residence or not), you will have to secure a down payment for the home, plan on paying mortgage interest for the months that you carry the mortgage, pay for utilities, and pay for the expenses of actually fixing up the home. You might be tempted to assume that this will be a quick and easy project, but similar assumptions have taken down more experienced house-flippers than you. It's much better to overest

As a parent, it's hard to watch your kids struggle with anything, but watching them struggle to buy a house can be especially tough. We all want the best for our offspring, and owning a home is one of the best ways to build wealth -- so if kids are having trouble taking that step, it's normal to worry about how they'll manage when you're gone. The good news is this: There's a lot you can do as a parent to help your kids get their feet on the property ladder. Follow this advice and you'll be able to both assist your children and ensure that your own financial future is secure. Understand your 'why' "Because I want to help my child" is a great reason to do just about anything -- but a house is a huge financial investment and responsibility, so you need to dig a little bit deeper. Ask yourself these questions about your child and their life circumstances, as well as your own financial circumstances: How does my kid handle finances?

If you're a veteran or on active military duty, you’ve likely heard of a Veterans Affairs (VA) mortgage loan and are wondering if it’s a good choice for you. You could also be eligible for a VA loan if you’re the spouse of a military member who passed away while on active duty.  A fundamental difference with VA loans is that the VA guarantees the loans made by lenders, but doesn’t lend money. The VA’s backing for private financial institutions serves as insurance against losses if a borrower defaults on a loan.  Is a VA mortgage loan right for you? Here are some pros and cons to help you evaluate: Pros: There's no need to be a first-time buyer, and if you've used this benefit in the past, you can use it again on a future home purchase.  You could qualify for a Bourne VA loan with 100% financing, and no Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI); which is required on conventional loans if your down payment is less than 20%. With a conventional or an FHA loan, you'

...even while you’re still renting. If you’re renting your current home and have your eye on making a home purchase in the near or distant future you might be worried that it can’t be done. The good news is that there are some effortless ways to grow your home savings with a little bit of set up and a touch of discipline. 1) Know your goal. The best place to start is knowing how much cash you’ll need and by when. Typically, you should aim to save 5-20 percent of your planned Bourne home purchase price to qualify for a traditional 30-year mortgage. This amount might seem overwhelming at first but, when you break it down into annual, monthly, then weekly goals, it'll start to feel much more manageable. Defining your timeframe goals will help to better understand what would be required of your saving habits on a regular basis. Once you've figured out how much you'd need to save each week, you may wish to re-evaluate your time goals to reflect a more relaxed savin

Not too long ago in our country's history, talking about making your house "greener" might get you labeled a hippie tree-hugger. But times change, and as gas, electricity, and water prices creep up, more and more homeowners are seeing the (strong) advantages that come with considering the environment when you make decisions about your household. Are you interested in making your home more energy-efficient -- and saving money in the bargain? You have a lot of options, from cheap to expensive, so read on to discover whether there are some big (or small) energy-saving opportunities that you're missing. Get an energy audit Most utility companies offer an energy audit, oftentimes for free: They'll send an expert out to your house to take a look at all your appliances, your lights, your windows, your doors, and more -- then make recommendations for changes you can make that will save energy (and money) every month. If you want a personalized rundown of everything

Nothing lasts forever -- including a home where you raised a family or lived most of your working life. And it's a fact of life that suddenly, a place that was perfect for you a decade or two ago might start to feel cavernous and empty (or just contain more square footage than you really want to clean regularly). If you're starting to dream about trading in your rambling old house for a smaller cottage or new condo, then it's probably time to seriously consider downsizing from your current home. Before you start shopping and put your home on the market, though, there are a few things you need to think about and discuss with any family members who'll be making the journey with you. Consider your finances It's tempting to look up your home on a website like Zillow or Redfin and revel in how much money it's worth today. So finances might not be top-of-mind when you're thinking about downsizing -- you may believe that you're guaranteed to save money