Believe in it or not, there are plenty of bad—and good—omens woven into our culture. Whether you’re facing seven years’ bad luck from that broken mirror or carrying around a rabbit’s foot in the hopes of turning your luck around, omens are all around us—even in real estate. If you’re… read more →
It can be hard to sell a house if it has a reputation for being haunted or if someone is known to have died in the house. If the death occurred within the last three years, then the homeowner is legally obliged to disclose this fact before he sells the house.… read more →
Your credit report is essentially your financial report card. It serves as a way for banks, insurance and lending companies to gauge your credit-worthiness and whether you’re likely to miss payments or default on a loan. It’s also common for landlords, employers and government agencies to check your credit before… read more →
One question you hear frequently through your 20s is, “When are you going to buy a house?” Some believe you are missing out on the benefits of homeownership, while others think that with careers constantly taking you to new cities, you are better off renting forever. Many people grapple with… read more →
Buying a flipped home is like negotiating a Cold War treaty: Trust, but verify. Flippers often make just a few cosmetic changes before they resell a house. With fresh paint and new appliances, what’s not to love? Frequently, flippers target projects the next buyer would have had to tackle anyway.… read more →
Your Glossary to Mortgage Lending Adjustable Rate Mortgage A mortgage loan were the interest rate adjusts periodically based on the changes of a specified index such as the one-year Treasury Bill or the LIBOR. Amortization The calculation of the amount of the installment payment it takes to pay off the… read more →
There’s more that goes into buying a home for the first time besides shopping online for mortgage rates. To find the perfect home, you have to log off of the computer, get in your car and see homes for yourself. One way to do that is visiting open houses. First-time… read more →
No for-sale house is ever perfect. But some houses are in better shape and consequently easier to sell than others. If yours isn’t one of the stars, but you still need to sell it for the highest possibly price, it’s going to take more than low mortgage rates to attract a… read more →
Location is a huge factor in successful homeownership. Just a mile—in some cases just a city block—can make a difference in home values, health risks, crime and the general quality of life for you and your family. Everyone has different priorities, but neighborhoods that are more likely to cause trouble for… read more →
You’ve checked out the schools and read neighborhood crime statistics. You’ve timed your commute and figured out where to buy groceries. But what are you missing when it comes to evaluating a new neighborhood? Don’t forget to check these seven neighborhood details before you sign a lease or buy a… read more →