The first steps to take toward homeownership are paying down debt, determining how much money you need, and saving for a down payment. Working toward these goals will help you prepare for purchasing your first home.

With spring right around the corner, it’s a good time to begin your house search if you’re in the market. But, there are many factors to consider when looking for a home. Here are some tips to help get you started on your search.

Have a new idea you would like to put into action? You may need some help to get your idea off the ground. Once you create a functional plan, applying for a business loan could be your next step.

Spring tends to be the optimal time for people to not only sell, but buy houses. This is due to improving weather, inspecting homes after winter, and transitioning kids to new schools. Before spring comes though, it is critical that you begin getting ready before you start your new home search. Here is how you can prepare now to buy a home in the spring.

If you’re planning on selling your home, spring is the time to do it. According to Zillow, early May is the best time to list your home. Start thinking about the process right now so everything goes smoothly.

If you just received your college diploma, you are most likely among the many graduates with tens of thousands of dollars in federal student loan debt. That means in about six short months, whether you have a job or not, you’ll have to start making repayments. As the average 2016 graduate with debt has about $37,000 in student loan debt, it is understandable that you’re stressed—that much debt is hard to fathom! Before you have a breakdown, or even if you already did, know that there are many options to give you flexibility when repaying your loans. Let’s take a look at a few of your possibilities.

Your credit score and credit report is your borrowing reputation. If you have a high score and positive credit report, lenders are more likely to lend you more money at lower rates. But how do you establish good credit?

Have you looked at your credit report lately? Your credit report lists your personal information and your loans and is the basis for your credit score. You know having a high credit score is important, but part of positive credit is making sure your credit report is accurate.

Did you know you could save money on the loans and credit cards you have by refinancing? Refinancing these loans can lower your rates and you could save hundreds (or even thousands) of dollars over the term of your loan! If you have higher-rate loans, it’s always worth asking your lender to see if refinancing might be a good option for you.

It’s time for part two of talking about money resolutions for 2016. This week I’ll be talking about making a plan to pay off debt. While some debt can actually improve your credit score (like having a mortgage with a good payment history), debt like credit card debt can lower your credit score and it costs you money every month!

I’m sure you’ve been asked to open a store credit card when shopping. It can seem like a good deal: you can often save 15% on your first purchase with the card. But how do store cards measure up? What happens to your credit when you open a store card?

When it’s time to pay for a big purchase or trip, you might want to finance instead of paying in cash. Maybe you don't have all the cash on hand or you don't want to deplete your savings. After you've decided to finance your purchase, how do you know if it’s better to use a personal loan or a credit card? Make your decision based on your financial habits and be sure to consider the interest rate!