Nina Semczuk
Mortgage, Home Buying, Savings and Retirement Expert
Nina Semczuk is a Certified Educator in Personal Finance® (CEPF®) and a member of the Society of American Business Editors and Writers. She helps makes personal finance accessible as a Writer/Editor and homebuying expert for SmartAsset. Nina started her path toward financial literacy at fourteen after filling out her first W-4 and earning her first paycheck. Since then, she's navigated the world of mortgages, VA loans, Roth IRAs and the tax consequences of changing states or countries at least once a year. Nina specializes in mortgage, savings and retirement education. Nina is a graduate of Boston University and served as an officer in the military for five years. Find her work on The Muse, Business Insider, Fast Company, Forbes and around the web.
Posts by Nina Semczuk:
Searching for the best rates and best mortgage terms can be hard on your own. That’s why some homebuyers opt to choose a mortgage broker, the middleman of the home loan market. Instead of going to each lender for a rate quote yourself, a mortgage broker does the legwork for you. Brokers generally receive compensation from the lender you end up working with or from fees charged to you. The amount is usually a percentage of the loan total. If you decide to go with a particular mortgage broker, always be sure to calculate your monthly mortgage payment to have a full understanding of what your costs will be. Read more
With shows like “Flip or Flop” and “Property Wars” attracting TV viewers, Americans have become more interested than ever in how to buy a foreclosure. If you can purchase an inexpensive home, your mortgage payments will be low for the life of the loan. Dealing with foreclosures can seem like a complicated and potentially expensive process. But it’s actually not so different from buying a regular home. We break it down for you in the guide below. Read more
When you’re counting down to retirement, it’s easy to get caught up in fantasies of your future work-free life. Maybe it’s RV trips to Florida, days on the golf course or quality time spent with family. Whatever your dream retirement looks like, you can be sure you’ll need money to fund it. Unfortunately, if you’re like most Americans, you don’t have nearly enough saved for retirement. But you can help change that with a few key fixes. Read on to find out how with these five easy tips. Read more
In late December, President Trump signed sweeping tax legislation into law. Under the new law, taxpayers can only deduct $10,000 in combined property taxes and other state and local taxes (SALT) from… Read more
Veterans who want to take out a mortgage backed by the Department of Veterans Affairs must prove that they qualify for the home loan program. There are certain requirements to meet as well as… Read more
Some of us like to maximize our tax return. That can mean filing taxes yourself to save on tax preparation fees, or, using an online option to save costs. While online filing is certainly more… Read more
Filing your taxes yourself has never been easier. As long as you have internet access, you can submit your tax return from the comfort of your couch. In fact, according to the IRS, 92% of tax returns… Read more
The holiday season is a time for celebration. And with most celebrations, you usually find yourself opening your wallet again and again. This can put a strain on your budget and put a damper on… Read more
Start with giving yourself a pat on the back. Whether you saved $50,000 by diligently setting aside a portion of your paycheck, or you came into money through an inheritance, you now have a tidy sum… Read more
Reaching retirement age can be exciting, but also nerve-wracking in regards to money matters. One of the first questions you may have, is what happens you start withdrawing from your 401(k)? You’ve… Read more
Money management is a tricky subject. For many, the topic’s accompanied with a feeling of apprehension. Maybe you’ve put off saving for retirement for a bit too long. Or, perhaps you’re worried about… Read more
Starting early with college savings is a smart choice. With the price of higher education rising each year, the sooner you start, the better chance you’ll have of helping make a dent in those costs.… Read more
Inheriting an IRA comes with certain responsibilities. The rules for an inherited IRA depend on the specifics of your situation as well as the deceased’s age and can get a little confusing.… Read more
Everyone has an opinion on how you should budget. From experts touting the latest app for online money management to bloggers giving personal perspectives on cash-only lifestyles, you won’t find a… Read more
If you’re in the process of buying a home, you may have heard the term “deed of trust.” Depending on what state you live in, this may have come up more frequently than it would in other places. But… Read more
Whether you’re buying a house for yourself or as an investment, one factor to consider is the long-term value of the home. Housing market growth is a way to determine if you’ll get a return for your… Read more
Summer memories wouldn’t be complete for many Americans without tractor pulls, fried dough and live music with friends and family. Each year millions of attendees celebrate the end of summer and the… Read more
Almost 10 years past America’s most recent financial crisis, you can still hear the term in the news. Whether it’s in regards to recovering from one, or the impending onset of another, it’s a phrase… Read more
