Alene Laney

About the Author

Alene Laney has been writing about credit, mortgages, and personal finance for SoFi since 2021. Her work has also been featured in national publications, such as The Wall Street Journal, Time, Fox, Credible, and others. She’s a travel enthusiast and money nerd who's real talent is making her budget stretch for her family of seven.

The latest articles from Alene Laney

Home Ownership

How Does Airbnb Work for Homeowners?

Alene Laney | September 17, 2026

Credit

Average Car Loan Interest Rate by Credit Score

Alene Laney | September 01, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

How to Plan a Dream Wedding on a Budget

Alene Laney | September 01, 2026

Credit

What Is the Average Credit Score in America?

Alene Laney | September 01, 2026

Financial Independence

Can You Buy a Second Home Without a Down Payment?

Alene Laney | August 28, 2026

Credit

Differences Between VantageScore and FICO Credit Scores

Alene Laney | August 28, 2026

Credit

Average Credit Score by Age 30

Alene Laney | August 24, 2026

Building Your Career

27 Fulfilling Jobs for Extroverts That Pay Well

Alene Laney | August 13, 2026

Family Finances

How to Qualify for a Jumbo Loan

Alene Laney | August 11, 2026

Home Ownership

Home Equity Line of Credit (HELOC) vs. Home Equity Loan

Alene Laney | August 05, 2026

Financial Independence

What Is a Mortgage Banker? | SoFi

Alene Laney | July 10, 2026

Credit

Which Credit Score Do Mortgage Lenders Use? All You Need to Know

Alene Laney | July 07, 2026

Family Finances

What is the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation?

Alene Laney | July 07, 2026

Family Finances

When Do I Get My Escrow Refund?

Alene Laney | July 07, 2026

Credit

Guide to a Commercial Letter of Credit

Alene Laney | June 23, 2026

Debt Payoff

Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early? And How to Do It

Alene Laney | June 12, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Guide to Transaction Deposits

Alene Laney | June 10, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

10 Tips for Spending Your Money Wisely

Alene Laney | May 29, 2026

Family Finances

Family Opportunity Mortgage: What It Is and How It Works

Alene Laney | May 27, 2026

Home Ownership

6-Step Guide to Buying a Manufactured Home

Alene Laney | May 27, 2026

Family Finances

Home Loans for People With Disabilities: What You Should Know

Alene Laney | May 27, 2026

Home Ownership

Duplex vs Townhouse: Deciding Which Is Best for You

Alene Laney | May 27, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

25 Items That Are Worth Saving For

Alene Laney | May 27, 2026

Family Finances

How Long Does It Take to Build a Manufactured Home?

Alene Laney | May 27, 2026

Family Finances

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Manufactured Home?

Alene Laney | May 27, 2026

Family Finances

20-Year vs 30-Year Mortgages

Alene Laney | May 26, 2026

Family Finances

How Does an Escrow Analysis Work?

Alene Laney | May 26, 2026

Growing Wealth

How Is HELOC Interest Calculated?

Alene Laney | May 22, 2026

Family Finances

Can Home Loans Cover Renovations? What You Should Know

Alene Laney | May 22, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is the Average Mortgage Term in the US?

Alene Laney | May 18, 2026

Family Finances

Should You Buy an Investment Property While Still Renting?

Alene Laney | May 18, 2026

Family Finances

How to Get an Appraisal Waiver

Alene Laney | May 18, 2026

Financial Independence

How Do You Write a Check to Yourself?

Alene Laney | May 14, 2026

Budgeting & Goals

Checklist for Taking Over Parents’ Finances

Alene Laney | May 14, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is a Mortgage Note and How Does It Work?

Alene Laney | May 12, 2026

Financial Independence

Owner-Financed Homes: What You Need to Know

Alene Laney | May 08, 2026

Financial Independence

18 Mortgage Questions for Your Lender

Alene Laney | May 06, 2026

Financial Independence

Applying for a Loan Online vs In Person: Comparing the Differences & Similarities

Alene Laney | May 05, 2026

Family Finances

How Much Income Is Needed for a $100,000 Mortgage?

Alene Laney | May 02, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is Mortgage Servicing? How Does It Work?

Alene Laney | April 29, 2026

Family Finances

Mortgage Servicer vs Lender: What’s the Difference?

Alene Laney | April 29, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is a Blue Tape Walkthrough?

Alene Laney | April 29, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is a Turnkey Property? A Comprehensive Guide for Investors

Alene Laney | April 21, 2026

Home Ownership

How Much Income Is Needed for a $275,000 Mortgage

Alene Laney | April 21, 2026

Home Ownership

What Is a Home Equity Loan and How Does It Work?

Alene Laney | April 15, 2026

Financial Topics

40-Year Mortgage: What You Need to Know

Alene Laney | April 14, 2026

Family Finances

What Is a Chattel Mortgage & When Should You Use One?

Alene Laney | April 14, 2026

Home Ownership

FHA Streamline Refinance: Pros, Cons, and Rates

Alene Laney | March 17, 2026

Home Ownership

When Is Your First Mortgage Payment Due?

Alene Laney | March 16, 2026

Real Estate

Assessed Value vs Appraised Value

Alene Laney | March 16, 2026

Financial Topics

FHA Flipping Rules and Guidelines

Alene Laney | March 16, 2026

Building Your Career

Is $120K a Good Salary for a Single Person?

Alene Laney | March 13, 2026

Family Finances

Mortgage Loan Originators: What Do They Do?

Alene Laney | March 01, 2026

Family Finances

How to Buy a House With No Money Down

Alene Laney | February 10, 2026

Growing Wealth

How to Buy a Multifamily Property and What to Look For

Alene Laney | February 05, 2026

Home Ownership

How Much Income Is Needed for a $1,000,000 Mortgage?

Alene Laney | February 04, 2026

Home Ownership

How Much Income Is Needed for a $550,000 Mortgage?

Alene Laney | February 02, 2026

Home Ownership

20 Mortgage Refinance Questions to Ask Before Taking the Plunge

Alene Laney | February 02, 2026

Home Ownership

5 Ways to Pull Equity Out of Your Home

Alene Laney | February 02, 2026

Financial Independence

Is It Possible to Use Personal Loans for Rent Payments?

Alene Laney | January 28, 2026

Family Finances

How Long Does It Take Taxes to Come Back?

Alene Laney | January 07, 2026

Family Finances

How to Fill Out Gift Tax Form 709

Alene Laney | January 07, 2026

Family Finances

Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) Tax Refund Schedule for Tax Years 2025 and 2026

Alene Laney | December 31, 2025

Home Ownership

How Much Will a $600K Mortgage Cost per Month?

Alene Laney | December 15, 2025

Home Ownership

How Does Buying a House Affect Taxes?

Alene Laney | December 15, 2025

Family Finances

How Much Will a $200K Mortgage Cost Per Month?

Alene Laney | December 15, 2025

Financial Independence

What Are the Conforming Loan Limits for 2026?

Alene Laney | December 09, 2025

Financial Independence

Counter Checks: What Are They & How Do They Work?

Alene Laney | December 04, 2025

Money & Life

The Most Rewarding Jobs in America

Alene Laney | December 01, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

Cost of Cloth Diapers vs Disposable Diapers

Alene Laney | December 01, 2025

Home Ownership

Selling a House With a Mortgage: Can You Do It?

Alene Laney | November 28, 2025

Family Finances

I Make $65,000 a Year, How Much House Can I Afford?

Alene Laney | November 21, 2025

Family Finances

I Make $50,000 a Year, How Much House Can I Afford?

Alene Laney | November 07, 2025

Family Finances

I Make $36,000 a Year, How Much House Can I Afford?

Alene Laney | November 07, 2025

Family Finances

I Make $40,000 a Year, How Much House Can I Afford?

Alene Laney | November 05, 2025

Home Ownership

How Does an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage Work?

Alene Laney | October 16, 2025

Home Ownership

Is a Cash-Out Refinance for Home Improvements Right for You?

Alene Laney | August 13, 2025

Home Ownership

Purchase-Money Mortgage: Definition and Example

Alene Laney | August 11, 2025

Family Finances

What Is the Mortgage Principal and How Does Paying It Down Work?

Alene Laney | August 08, 2025

Family Finances

What Happens When You Pay Off Your Mortgage?

Alene Laney | August 07, 2025

Home Ownership

Is Property Tax Included in Mortgage Payments?

Alene Laney | July 31, 2025

Home Ownership

How to Pay Off a 30-Year Mortgage in 15 Years: Tips and Tricks

Alene Laney | July 30, 2025

Budgeting & Goals

9 Questions To Ask Yourself To Prevent Impulse Purchase

Alene Laney | July 24, 2025

Home Ownership

What Is a Land Contract and How Does It Work?

Alene Laney | July 24, 2025

Home Ownership

What Is Lease-to-Own and How Does It Work?

Alene Laney | July 24, 2025

Home Ownership

What Is a Homestead Exemption and How Does It Work?

Alene Laney | July 24, 2025

Home Ownership

Pros and Cons of Jumbo Loans

Alene Laney | July 24, 2025

Home Ownership

How Does Subleasing Work for an Apartment?

Alene Laney | July 22, 2025

Family Finances

What Is a Home Title Policy and How Does It Work?

Alene Laney | July 22, 2025

Debt Payoff

Should You Do a Cash-Out Refinance to Pay Off Debt?

Alene Laney | July 22, 2025

Home Ownership

Jumbo Loans vs Conventional Loans

Alene Laney | July 22, 2025

Home Ownership

How Does a Mortgage Loan Officer Get Paid?

Alene Laney | July 18, 2025

Family Finances

Subordinate Mortgages: Everything You Need to Know

Alene Laney | July 07, 2025

Home Ownership

How Much Is the Down Payment for a $100K House for First-time Homebuyers?

Alene Laney | June 22, 2025

Home Ownership

What Is the First-Time Homebuyer Tax Credit & How Much Is It?

Alene Laney | June 02, 2025

Family Finances

What Is Mortgage Foreclosure? Here’s What You Need to Know

Alene Laney | January 23, 2025

Family Finances

I Make $45,000 a Year, How Much House Can I Afford?

Alene Laney | January 22, 2025

Home Ownership

What Is a Home Inspection and How Does It Work?

Alene Laney | January 16, 2025

Home Ownership

What Is a Mortgage Contingency? How It Works Explained

Alene Laney | January 15, 2025

Family Finances

What Are Subprime Mortgages and What Are Their Risks?

Alene Laney | January 15, 2025

Family Finances

How Much Will a $100K Mortgage Cost per Month?

Alene Laney | January 14, 2025

Home Ownership

How to Write an Offer Letter for a House

Alene Laney | January 14, 2025

Family Finances

How to Lower Down Payment Requirements

Alene Laney | January 14, 2025

Home Ownership

A Guide to Gift Letters for Mortgages

Alene Laney | January 09, 2025

Home Ownership

Real Estate Purchase Contract Need-to-Knows

Alene Laney | January 09, 2025

Home Ownership

What Is Rent Control and How Does It Work?

Alene Laney | January 09, 2025

Family Finances

Work From Home Jobs With Flexible Hours for Moms

Alene Laney | October 31, 2024

Budgeting & Goals

Secrets to Not Paying Full Price

Alene Laney | September 26, 2024

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Top 10 Fun Things to Do When Visiting Salt Lake City

Alene Laney | May 05, 2023

credit card

Top 10 Fun Things to Do When Visiting Phoenix

Alene Laney | April 27, 2023

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