By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Rent vs Buy Calculator and the Real Math Behind Your Housing Decision Whether you’re a young adult trying to decide if homeownership makes sense now or a parent helping your twenty-something navigate this choice, the rent versus buy decision isn’t as simple as most calculators suggest. The real question […]
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Side Hustles to Make Money and What Lenders Actually Count as Income Whether you’re a young adult accelerating your path to homeownership or a parent watching your twenty-something build toward their first house, side income can dramatically shorten the timeline. But here’s what most people miss: not all side
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Gift Money Rules and How Family Can Help With Your Down Payment Whether you’re a parent considering helping your young adult purchase their first home or you’re in your twenties wondering if family assistance is even allowed, gift funds can dramatically accelerate your path to homeownership. The good news?
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Balancing Education Savings and Down Payment Strategy for Young Families Whether you’re a parent planning for your child’s future or a young adult mapping your own path, one question keeps coming up: Should you prioritize college savings or a home down payment? The answer isn’t either/or—it’s both, with the
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Adding Authorized User to Credit Card for Early Credit Building Whether you’re a parent giving your teen a head start or a young adult establishing credit before buying your first home, understanding how authorized user credit cards work changes your financial trajectory. This strategy—when done right—can add years of
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn How to Improve Credit Score Fast for Home Loan Approval Whether you’re learning this at 18 or teaching your teenager, understanding how to improve your credit score for mortgage approval shapes your financial future. A strong score doesn’t just help you qualify—it determines whether you’ll pay tens of thousands
By Jim blackburn By Jim blackburn Understanding FHA Loan Requirements and Qualification Process Whether you’re a parent helping your teen understand homeownership or a young adult taking your first steps toward buying property, FHA loans offer one of the most accessible paths to building wealth through real estate. If you’re starting at 18 or 28,