In January, 2014, new home mortgage lending rules aimed at strengthening protections for consumers went into effect in the United States. Created by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau — a federal agency responsible for regulating financial protection for consumers — the new rules come in the wake of the banking crisis that left millions of […]
Author: Benchmark
Credit Card Myths Uncovered
Advice can be helpful in many cases, but following misguided or erroneous advice, even when well-intended, can have a devastating impact. The same is true of advice on bolstering your credit score. Unfortunately, there is a variety of mistaken credit advice floating around that can actually make yours worse. Here are some common myths that […]
Fun Family Spring Break Activities
With cold weather lifting and warm weather on the horizon, families are preparing for an exciting spring break. Instead of being surprised with bored faces on the first vacation day, plan your entire week with fun ideas that explore your neighborhood or just entertain you at home. Any budget works with simple ideas that are […]
Make Your House a Home – Top 10 Feng Shui Tips
Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art designed to balance the energy in a space while making it more inviting and cohesive. Here are a few suggestions to enhance your home and inspire you as well. 1. Clean Up Your Clutter One of the most important Feng Shui principles is to clear away any unnecessary […]
Top 10 Tips When Building A New Home
Top 10 Tips When Building A New Home A lot of people don’t want to buy a house that’s on the market. They want their house to truly be their own. In some of these cases, these people will probably look into building their own home. This is an option that some people may not […]
How much cash do I need to buy a house?
One of the first questions potential home buyers ask is “how much cash do I need to buy a house?” Most of the time, some cash will be needed for a down payment and closing costs. The exact amount of cash will depend on several factors, including the type of loan. Conventional loans A conventional […]
Simple Tips to Winterize Your Home
When winter’s cold blast approaches and the warmth of summer is a distant memory, it’s time to winterize your home to ensure you keep heating and other costs at bay. Here are some simple tips on how to winterize your home this season. Seal up Windows and Doors Nothing acts more like a beacon to […]
Tax Tips for Homeowners Claiming a Home Office Deduction
A recent survey by the Small Business Administration indicates that nearly half of all businesses are based in American homes. These home-based businesses for the self-employed run the gamut from accounting services to providing medical care. American professionals surveyed by Telework Research Network indicate that the number is expected to grow in the next five […]
Get Your Closet Organized While It’s Cold Outside
Its winter time and thoughts of going outside in the cold just gives you the chills in most of the country. So, why not look for something productive to do inside like cleaning out and organizing your closet? Closets are usually taken for granted because you can just toss things inside them and forget about […]
Get Your Closet Organized While It’s Cold Outside
Its winter time and thoughts of going outside in the cold just gives you the chills in most of the country. So, why not look for something productive to do inside like cleaning out and organizing your closet? Closets are usually taken for granted because you can just toss things inside them and forget about […]