Homeowners insurance isn’t a topic that most people like to think about. For first-time homebuyers, the prospect of adding home insurance to the other long list of costs can seem daunting. Yet homeowners’ insurance isn’t just required for your mortgage, it’s an important part of a plan to keep you… read more →
A real estate owned (REO) home is one that is owned by a lending institution as a result of forfeiture or failure to make mortgage payments. REO homes are popular with investors and home buyers looking for a deal. When a homeowner defaults on a mortgage loan, the property ends up at… read more →
Love is blind but mortgage companies surely are not. This fact of life is one many newlyweds encounter when hunting for their first home and discover their cumulative credit is far from lovable. So what happens to their “American Dream” when one spouse’s credit is terrific but the other’s isn’t?… read more →
Looking for a special way to spend Father’s Day this year? Here are some ideas of ways to spend some family time with Dad on Father’s Day in Washington, DC, Maryland and Northern Virginia. Father’s Day Brunch Take Dad out to brunch this Father’s Day. Here are some suggested restaurants… read more →
Northern Virginia Summer Brewfest June 20-21, 2015 Bull Run Regional Park, Centreville, VA. Enjoy a beer festival with food, live entertainment and children’s activities. Taste of Reston June 19-20, 2015 Reston Town Center. Enjoy a variety of food from the region’s finest eateries, live music, activities and games. Admission and… read more →
These days, the trend among cash-strapped home sellers seems to be to say less in hopes of getting more at closing. But in the long run, this less-than-full disclosure can prove costly. Sellers must disclose anything that could affect the property’s value or desirability, from big problems such as a… read more →
We all know about little hidden gems, whether in Virginia, Maryland or D.C., where our children aren’t the only ones having fun at the park. It’s safe to admit there is a child in all of us; no matter the age. My favorite is Burke Lake Park where there are bike… read more →
It takes a special person to see the potential in a home that’s in need of serious rehab. If you’ve got your heart set on buying a dream fixer-upper — but don’t have the savings to cover both a down payment and a renovation — there are loan products out… read more →
Finding an affordable and comfortable apartment can be an incredibly time-consuming process. Add a large dog to the mix, and it’s next to impossible. That’s what Jan Even, owner of a 90-pound Rottweiler mix, experienced during her Bay Area apartment search. She was planning to rent in San Francisco or… read more →
If you’re a recent college grad, you’ve likely heard speeches about pursuing your passions and believing in yourself, but you probably haven’t heard much about establishing a good credit history. Here’s what you need to know. Qualifying for mortgages, auto loans, apartments and even jobs has become dependent, to some… read more →