Ilyce's Blog

While there is a lot of political debate regarding government regulation on health insurance, it’s important to understand the policy in effect. The Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, often called Obamacare, has been in effect since 2010. However, the individual mandate was on shaky grou...

A client’s credit score is a major factor that determines his creditworthiness when applying for a mortgage.  With the average U.S. household having nearly $8,000 in credit card debt according to the Federal Reserve, chances are many people could be committing a bad credit habit that is hurting t...

Getting divorced is a stressful process. Besides the emotional hardship, you have to worry about dividing up your and your partner’s possessions, money and real estate. In order to do this equally, it’s important to understand the underlying tax consequences of those assets.  Here are 3 assets th...

It’s important to teach your kids how to manage their money early, so that they will know how to save for large purchases later in life. College is a great place to start. It’s the first time they are out of the house, making decisions on their own.  If your kid learns how to put money aside now,...

A well-designed kitchen is a big help in attracting homebuyers. Unfortunately, that doesn’t come cheap: The average kitchen remodel costs $26,000, according to the National Kitchen and Bath Association.  Instead of a full-fledged professional remodel, you can spruce up a kitchen with a few simple...

Green home improvement techniques help the environment and have the possibility of saving you money.  Help reduce your carbon footprint with these 3 green ideas: 1. Begin with an audit: An energy audit, which costs around $400, will help you spot safety issues that will help you know which home i...

As mortgage rates continue to drop, it appears to be the perfect time to refinance. Even if you’ve already refinanced, it’s possible that you could qualify for an even lower mortgage rate.  If you qualify, you should look for a plan that hits certain key areas in order to get the best deal.  Here...

In this housing market, many sellers wonder if it is worth selling their property now, or if the return on their investment will be higher if they wait.   People are asking the same question in terms of college education.   In these economic times, with student loan debt topping $1 trillion dolla...

Negative equity – owing more on your mortgage than what your house is worth – has negatively affected homeowners over the past six years. Families have dug into their retirement savings in order to afford their properties and avoid foreclosure. For the first time in years, negative equity has sha...

Small costs can add up.  For example, when renovating your home, a quick paint touch-up or new curtains may not seem like much money, but as the projects start piling up, you could be spending thousands of dollars. You can find ways to save on seemingly cheap expenses that, in the long run, will ...