Congratulations, you've decided to buy your first home! It's a huge step and arguably the biggest financial decision you'll ever make.

Spring has finally arrived – and as the weather starts to heat up, so does the homebuying market. Before things get too hot to handle, spring marks the perfect time to start preparing to buy a home if you're looking to make a purchase during the hectic summer season.

For many, buying a first home can seem like a far-away reality. With the constant stream of bills, debts to pay off, and other surprise expenses that most have to deal with regularly, it’s no wonder.

For many, obtaining and managing a loan can seem cumbersome, no matter how necessary. The application and approval process can take a significant amount of time. Paying off your loan can seem far away in the future. And taking out a loan sometimes means you’re adding to already existing debt.

For prospective homeowners, mortgages can seem like a complex and daunting part of buying a home, but when it comes down to it, a mortgage is essentially a loan. While it’s another form of debt, many view it as a positive form of debt, one that adds to your financial portfolio over time.

If you've ever been denied a loan, you know the unpleasant feelings that come along with it. And while some know from the onset that they'll likely be denied a loan due to poor credit, to others, the rejection may come as a complete surprise.

Save yourself the regret of buying too early with these basic steps.

Many college students start receiving credit card applications as early as freshman year – and as time goes on and graduation approaches, you might even start to ask yourself, “Should I get one?”

So you've graduated college, landed a job, and all is well – until you get a notice that your first student loan payment is due. Take a deep breath! With so many repayment options, it can feel overwhelming and hard to know which one is best for you.

If you’re the parent of a recent high school graduate and soon-to-be college student, you’re probably thinking of all of the ways you can prepare your child before they take flight from the nest. 

So, you’re a recent graduate? Congratulations! Now that the caps have been thrown and you’ve received that degree, you’re one step closer to real adulthood. Among the many new responsibilities you’ll have coming your way as an adult, is beginning to pay off your student loans.

If you have a student heading off to college, they’ve probably got visions of freedom and the good times to come, floating around in their head.