MoneyWatch

Is it smart to use home equity to buy a second home?

Homeowners have multiple ways to grow their wealth, from investing in the right assets to saving in the best accounts to refinancing when rates are advantageous. Those who have enjoyed the financial security of homeownership may also consider extending that support with a second home. Buying a second home can provide multiple financial advantages for homeowners if done smartly and …

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When will mortgage refinancing be worth it again? Heres what experts say

The currentmortgage rates of 6% to 7% are understandably not very appealing to the majorityof U.S. homeowners who have rates below 6%. “Even though rates in the 7% range are normal today, they don’t feel normal to the consumer,” says Christopher M. Naghibi, Esq., executive vice president and chief operating officer of First Foundation Bank. “It’s more than double the …

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Can you use your home equity to finance an ADU or in-law unit?

With housing costs still high and a growing need for multi-generational living solutions, accessory dwelling units (ADUs) are becoming an increasingly popular option for homeowners. An ADU is a separate living space on your property with its own kitchen, bathroom and entrance — essentially a small apartment that can be used for a wide range of purposes, from housing elderly …

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3 ways every investor can benefit from gold

Not every investment is right for every investor. Multiple factors affect the value of a particular asset, including the personal financial situation of the investor, their age and their goals, both short and long-term. The timing is key and what may be beneficial for investors at one point in their life may not be as advantageous at another and vice …

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JetBlue is cutting unprofitable routes and leaving 5 cities

JetBlue Airways is eliminating a number of unprofitable routes to destinations in the U.S. and overseas as it moves to cut costs after ajudge blocked its $3.8 billion bidfor Spirit Airlines earlier this year. The airline will also completely exit Kansas City, Missouri, and Newburgh, New York. In a statement to CBS News, the JetBlue said its removal of certain …

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Debt relief vs. bankruptcy: Which option is right for you?

If you’re trying to pay off high-interest credit card debt, the process can feel like an endless cycle of stress and mounting interest charges. And, that’s especially true right now. The Fed rate hikes that occurred over the last couple of years have caused credit card interest rates to climb, so if you’re carrying a balance from month to month, …

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Should you use home equity to buy a second home? Experts weigh in

American homeowners are sitting on a significant sum of equity. In fact, the average homeowner has about $298,000 in equity, according to the data firm CoreLogic. That equity can be turned into cash using tools like home equity loans or HELOCs and used to renovate your home, pay off debts, or achieve other financial goals. Some homeowners even use these …

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Why you should invest in gold this spring

When it comes to financial investments, the timing needs to be right. If you get started too late with a certain stock, for example, you may miss out on big returns. But if you get started too early, the return on your investment may be negligible. The timing needs to be right to earn substantial returns without sacrificing capital that …

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5 gold investments to consider with inflation rising

Inflation is no longer hovering near 40-year highs like it was in mid-2022, but we’re not back to normal just yet. The latest inflation report, released this week, shows that the inflation rate was 3.2% in February, up from 3.1% in January. Given the negative impact that stubborn inflation has on traditional currency, many investors are now looking for ways …

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7 Alaska Airlines passengers sue over mid-air blowout, claiming serious emotional distress

A passenger on the Alaska Airlines flight that had to make an emergency landing after a door plug blew off mid-flight claims he was only saved from being sucked out of the hole by his seatbelt. The passenger, Cuong Tran, was sitting in row 27 of Alaska Airlines flight 1242, immediately behind the door plug that gave way minutes after …

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