A balloon payment on a mortgage is a large, one-time payment that is due at the end of the loan term. Mortgages with balloon payments are also referred to as balloon mortgages or balloon loans. This type of mortgage usually has a shorter term than a conventional mortgage, with lower monthly payments. However, the borrower … Read more
Credit reporting companies may charge you a fee for your credit scores, but you may be able to get a free score from your credit card issuer, another lender, or from a non-profit credit or housing counselor. You actually have more than one credit score. Credit scores are calculated based on the information in your … Read more
Taking out a million dollar loan is a major financial commitment that requires careful planning. With home prices skyrocketing in many markets, jumbo loans of this size are becoming more common for luxury real estate purchases. But before signing on the dotted line, it’s important to understand how much it will cost you each month. … Read more
When it comes to applying for American Express cards, the issuer’s five card limit is a restriction to be aware of. In this post I wanted to discuss that in more detail, and also share a data point about how perhaps this isn’t quite so strict anymore? American Express credit cards are incredibly popular among … Read more
If youre looking for a credit card that is most likely to be accepted wherever you are in the world, your best choice is a credit card that carries the Visa or MasterCard logo. We compared the merchant acceptance of the four major global card payment networks — American Express, Discover, MasterCard, and Visa — … Read more
Most cards establish your initial spending limit when you apply, determining the maximum amount you can spend (or carry) at a given time. However, several American Express cards forego a traditional preset spending limit*—potentially allowing you to spend more on a case-by-case basis. This flexibility can be a major convenience for cardholders and is less … Read more
While paying off your debts often helps improve your credit scores, this isn’t always the case. It’s possible that you could see your credit scores drop after fulfilling your payment obligations on a loan or credit card debt. However, that doesn’t mean you should ignore what you owe. The benefits of paying your debts are … Read more
As of the third quarter of 2023, 1.54% of U.S. consumers had a FICO Score of 850, according to Experian data. Some notable traits of consumers with a perfect credit score include an above average number of credit cards, lower credit utilization rate and lower than average total debt. In many sports, its possible to … Read more
You may want to cancel a credit card to cut back on your spending or to stop paying the associated fees. Before you cancel, consider how ditching that credit card could impact your credit score and finances. Closing a credit card and opening a new one is a common practice for many credit card users. … Read more
Not all credit inquiries impact your credit score, but some do. The difference depends on whether it’s a soft or hard credit check, which is determined by who’s making it and why. Read on to learn more about soft vs. hard credit checks, along with examples of when each type is run. Then get LifeLock … Read more