You finally saved enough money for the down payment on a house. And you finally qualified for a mortgage.  You researched and home shopped to find the right first home. You made an offer. And finally, you closed on your first big investment …  a new home! Congratulations!

Now you are starting a 3 to 7 year cycle of owning and managing your first home. Where do you start?  How do you maximize the value and minimize the ongoing expenses? What do you need to do to maintain this asset? How do you manage the improvements you make to the house? How do you avoid falling into the “money pit” trap where your house financially consumes you?  Read More