Author: josh
Key Takeaways: Debt-to-income ratio helps lenders determine how much house you can afford. A lower DTI ratio is more appealing to lenders because it shows you have more financial flexibility and are less risky to lend to. Borrowers with high DTI ratios may have a harder time getting approved for a mortgage. When it comes to getting approved for a mortgage, lenders look at more than just your credit score and income. They also care about how much debt you have. Even with a strong credit score and other factors, having significant debt can make affording a home difficult, since…
In just around five years, these two investors went from zero rentals to financial freedom through real estate. In their own words, “I want as few doors as possible with as much money as possible.”That’s what we’re all after as real estate investors. How can we generate the most passive income with the fewest properties, headaches, and issues to deal with? A little over five years ago, Amelia McGee and Grace Gudenkauf were willing to buy any property with any problem, to get in the game. They wanted to quit their jobs, become their own bosses, own their time, and…
Buying your first home is exciting, but many buyers focus primarily on one number: how much they can get approved for. While mortgage pre-approval is an important step in the process, it does not always reflect what makes sense for your long-term finances or lifestyle. Two common mistakes first-time buyers make are overbuying and underbuying. Overbuying happens when buyers stretch their budget too far to purchase a home. Underbuying occurs when buyers purchase a home that no longer fits their needs within a few years. Whether you live in a condo in Denver or a house in Miami, understanding the…
McDonald’s is rolling out its cheapest value menu in years, a move that could speak more to the state of the American economy than it does fast food. Even as sales rose for the quarter, executives at the world’s largest burger chain acknowledged in its February earnings call the fast food environment, which has pulled back in recent quarters, would “remain challenging” in 2026. Despite the company’s own progress attracting lower-income customer in the company’s fourth quarter, this tier of consumers, who have been dealing with stubborn inflation for years, are broadly pulling back on spending. To address this issue,…
In This Article Does the idea of a never-ending stream of potential renters, many of them with guaranteed payments, lining up to apply for your vacant apartments sound appealing? Then you might want to consider renting to lower-income tenants. Before you rush to judgment, it’s worth taking a broad look at the current rental market. America’s affordable rental crunch means that the biggest segment of the population that needs housing is the one that can least afford it. For landlords willing to serve this growing demographic, a golden opportunity awaits—as long as it is approached correctly. A National Shortage That…
The AI capital expenditure boom has created a gusher of corporate debt, forcing the Treasury Department to make its bonds more attractive to investors as the U.S. war on Iran adds to the deficit. Last Tuesday saw the single busiest day on record for U.S. corporate bond sales as President Donald Trump’s hint that the war may end soon briefly calmed markets and sparked a mad dash for companies to issue fresh debt. By the end of the day, total investment-grade issuance topped $65 billion, exceeding the prior one-day record of $52 billion in 2013. The flood of debt was…
Key takeaways A preliminary title report shows whether a seller is legally allowed to sell the home. It can reveal issues, like liens or easements, that could cause problems with the sale. You should address any issues immediately with your agent and title company. Beginning the closing process on a home is an exciting time, but there are several steps you’ll need to clear before officially receiving the keys. One of those steps is to get and review a preliminary title report. If you aren’t familiar with why a preliminary title report is important, don’t worry, we’re here to help.…
Fear you’ll never invest in real estate because you’ve been dealt a bad hand? Today’s guest had a struggling business, a $70,000 tax lien, a pending divorce, and was on the brink of bankruptcy, but through hard work and persistence, she was able to completely flip her circumstances. Now, she owns a real estate portfolio of cash-flowing rentals, despite starting in her 50s!Welcome back to the Real Estate Rookie podcast! Beth Smart is the ultimate real estate success story. Despite juggling a recent divorce and a mountain of debt, all while taking care of two toddlers, she found a way…
Just two months ago, NATO was in the middle of an existential crisis over President Donald Trump’s insistence that the U.S. take control of Greenland. He threatened tariffs and refused to rule out military action, but eventually backed down. Then on Sunday, Trump demanded the alliance help him clear the Strait of Hormuz, which Iran has blocked since the U.S. and Israel launched their war on the Islamic republic two weeks ago. “It’s only appropriate that people who are the beneficiaries of the Strait will help to make sure that nothing bad happens there,” Trump told the Financial Times, while…
The S&P 500 is only down 3% so far this year and 5% off its all-time high, still far from reaching bear market territory or even a correction, suggesting investors aren’t panicking yet about the U.S.-Israel war on Iran. But that could change soon. To be sure, oil prices have soared more than 40% since the war began two weeks ago and are up nearly 70% year to date. But they remain below the peak seen after Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, despite one-fifth of the world’s oil supplies being bottled up by Iran’s de facto blockade of the Strait…