It’s easy to focus on the large goals we want to achieve in life. Buying a home, building financial stability, or reaching personal milestones often feel like major achievements that sit somewhere far in the future. But what many people discover is that those big milestones are actually built from a series of small wins…
With the year nearly halfway complete, June provides a natural opportunity to pause and evaluate financial goals. Whether someone is focused on saving, reducing debt, or planning for future investments, a mid-year review can help keep everything moving in the right direction. For homeowners, reviewing household expenses and budgeting habits can be especially valuable. Energy…
As summer arrives and temperatures begin to rise, homeowners often notice an increase in energy usage as cooling systems work harder to keep homes comfortable. June is a great time to take a few simple steps that can help improve energy efficiency while keeping utility bills under control. One of the easiest improvements is checking…
As the country marks the anniversary of D-Day, we remember one of history’s great acts of mobilization and sacrifice. But what we often forget is that when World War II ended, America faced another test of mobilization—this time at home. Millions of veterans returned expecting to begin the lives they had fought to protect. Instead,…
A bubbling legal battle over a federal anti-fraud law has sparked worries from homeowners association advocates that they could be newly buried in bureaucratic red tape—and face increased costs. Originally designed to deter fraud and abuse in businesses entities, the Corporate Transparency Act imposes new reporting requirements on many business entities, including condo associations and…
First-time homeowners are constantly reminded that having an emergency fund is essential. But the reality is that these days, it’s easier said than done to put money aside. In fact, routine house problems like a broken dishwasher or a leaking pipe are pushing some people into debt. By the end of 2025, 2 in 3…
Foreclosure filings continued to rise nationwide in the first quarter of 2026, with total activity up 26% from a year ago. There were a total of 118,727 U.S. properties with foreclosure filings during the three months of the year—with Indiana, South Carolina, and Florida recording the highest foreclosure rates for the period. The total includes default notices, scheduled…
America is minting millionaires at a remarkable pace—but for many households, that wealth exists more on paper than in the bank. As home prices surged, many homeowners were pushed closer to seven-figure net worth through rising equity. But the same market that helped create those millionaire balance sheets has also made it harder, slower, and…
When Amanda and Vincent DeRise went to view a 140-year-old Victorian home for sale in Atlantic Highlands, NJ, their real estate agent didn’t mince words: It was a “money pit.” But the DeRises saw a way into the wealth engine that has defined middle-class America for generations. While it’s no secret that homeownership builds wealth…