Articles by Valencia Patrice Higuera

Valencia Higuera is based in Virginia and she covers budgeting, credit cards, and student loan debt, with expertise in frugal living, general banking, and mortgages. She is a self-proclaimed personal finance junkie. Valencia has contributed to publications and outlets including MSN, The Huffington Post, CBS News, Investopedia, and more. Education: B.A. in English from Old Dominion University.

Condo Insurance: How to Shop for an H0-6 Insurance Policy Find out what factors to consider when you're shopping for H0-6 insurance to cover your condo, especially when your HOA master policy lacks adequate coverage. Guide to Using a Backdoor Roth IRA Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Guide to Using a Backdoor Roth IRA The more cash you sock away during your working years, the more money you’ll have... Should You Pay Off Student Loans or Credit Cards First? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Should You Pay Off Student Loans or Credit Cards First? Few people can say that they’re debt-free. Many rely on student loans to get an... Georgia Homeowners Insurance: What are the Average Rates? See the average homeowners insurance rates for Georgia homes and the coverages and riders that you might consider as part of your policy. Is a Four-Year College Degree Overvalued? Job Loss Before Closing: How Your Mortgage is Affected? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Job Loss Before Closing: How Your Mortgage is Affected? A mortgage loan approval gives you the go-ahead to start shopping for a... Private Mortgage Insurance: How PMI Works and When It Makes Sense Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Private Mortgage Insurance: How PMI Works and When It Makes Sense For some people, buying a home is the ultimate financial goal. Homeownership is an... 4 Options to Avoid Foreclosure if You Can't Make Mortgage Payments Learn what you can do when you're struggling to make your mortgage payments, including options to tweak your home loan and monthly payments. When Does a No-Cost Mortgage or Refinance Make Sense? Learn how no-cost mortgages or refinancing works to help avoid the costs and fees of closing on a home loan. Also, find out if it is actually worth considering. Balloon Loan Payments: How Do They Work? Photo of Valencia Patrice Higuera Valencia Patrice Higuera Balloon Loan Payments: How Do They Work? Some mortgage loans allow applicants to choose between a 15-year, 20-year, and...