APM BLOG

Many people think of an existing single-family home when they think about homeownership or buying residential real estate. Purchases of this type of property are common, after all. But there are other residential real estate purchases that might be perfect for your lifestyle and/or financial situation. 

You’re drawn to condo living, and it’s easy to see why. Maybe you’re excited about living in that perfect downtown location, just steps from your favorite cafes and shops. Or perhaps you’re looking forward to saying goodbye to yard work and exterior maintenance. For many first-time buyers, condos offer an attractive path to homeownership, often at a lower price than single-family homes.

However, buying a condo is different from buying a house. You’re buying into a community with rules, financial obligations, and a management structure. 

February is the perfect time to check in on your financial goals and make sure you're staying on track for the year. Whether it's budgeting smarter, saving more, or planning ahead, building strong financial habits now can set you up for success all year long. In this edition, you'll find practical tips and tools to keep your financial fitness in peak condition. Let's get to it!

Single-family homes aren’t the only game in town when it comes to homeownership, building wealth, and fulfilling the American dream. In today’s housing market, where prices continue to challenge affordability, prospective buyers are exploring alternatives that offer value without sacrificing convenience or lifestyle.

REACH YOUR GOALS

How To Think Wealthy If You're Not Into Numbers

If you've been avoiding investing, you're not alone. Nearly half of America's adults report owning no investable assets, according to a 2024 survey. However, it isn't because they don't have the funds: it's their mindset that's holding them back. Investing seems too complicated to consider, which isn't surprising as math is not a popular subject for students.

There may be some positive things for potential homebuyers during 2025, especially more properties for sale. Shopping's always less stressful when you have more choices, and homes are no different. Lastly, when you're finished unwrapping gifts, you may want to spend an hour or two making a list and checking it twice...especially one for your 2024 taxes. If you need help, scroll down to check out our links to free tax guides and checklists.

Whether you’re looking to fund the minimum down payment or put down more than the traditional 20% when buying a home, saving for a down payment can be a challenge.

Budgets are like diets: Even when you know they’re a great idea, sticking to them is difficult! Much like diets, however, putting in the hard work and short-term sacrifices can yield amazing results. Every penny counts while working toward a home purchase—and creating a budget is just the beginning.

Here’s how to keep your budget on track to buy a home this year.

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New Year's Resolutions for Your Money

While some of us still resolve to hit the gym every New Year, most of us go for better money management. Research found that over 50% of us plan to set new money goals for 2025.

With the 2024 elections behind us, quite a few are reconsidering their plans for buying or selling a home. While rates are still higher than many of us would like, there are still plenty of rate-reducing strategies available for first-time and move-up buyers alike. Retirement savings options recently improved, and you can learn how to maximize both 401(k) and Social Security retirement income here.

Your credit score is an important factor when it comes to buying a home. That’s because it gives your mortgage lender a snapshot of how responsible you’ve been as a borrower through your payment history—which means they can gauge how responsible you’re likely to be as a borrower going forward. 

A higher credit score not only improves your chances of loan approval but also qualifies you for lower interest rates, which can save you thousands of dollars over the life of your mortgage. A good credit score also shows lenders that you’re capable of managing debt wisely, making you a more attractive candidate for financing. That’s why it’s essential to monitor and improve your credit score before you start the homebuying process.

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Can Financial Planning Really Be Life-Changing?

When you think about financial planning, chances are it's not an exciting proposition. However, it could be a truly life-changing event if you take a few minutes to envision the possible results.

Even though the 2024 holiday season is still a few weeks away, plenty of us have already begun our shopping. Since estimates suggest that we'll spend around 3% more than we did in 2023, you'll want to check out our story on planning a gift budget before you hit the stores or surf the Web. Gift shopping may be the only major economic activity many of us choose for the rest of the year, as interest rates seem to be stuck in place for the time being, and early voting has just begun for the November presential election.

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Mortgage Review: Take Advantage of Improving Interest Rates

The Federal Reserve is lowering interest rates, and now is the perfect time to take a fresh look at your mortgage. A quick review could yield lasting benefits, especially if you have purchased a home in the past few years or need to tap into your home equity. 

A couple of weeks ago, the Federal Reserve announced a hefty 50-point cut in the benchmark interest rate, which was bigger than the expected 25-point decrease. The Fed's decision to cut rates was mainly fueled by the decreasing levels of inflation, although shoppers are still faced with high grocery prices. It still remains to be seen if the rate cut will encourage more residential home sales, especially as other factors such as labor and economic data also affect real estate markets.

It’s no fun to have a lot of debt hanging over your head. It’s even less fun when that balance is large enough to keep you from doing the things you want to do and achieving the dreams you’ve always had.

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Using Your Equity to Pay Off High Interest Debt

High interest credit card debt can suck the life out of anyone. Paying off your credit card debt at today's high interest rates can also take major sacrifice—but it doesn't have to. Not if you're a homeowner, anyway.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is held each year from September 15 to October 15, celebrating the culture and significant contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.