If you’re renting out your home, finding a reliable property manager to manage day-to-day rental tasks can save you time as well as protect your investment. After all, you’ll trust this person to make critical decisions about tenants, maintenance and rent collection. Here are are six tips for choosing the right property… read more →
While a number of experts, animal welfare societies and local governments have concluded that no breed of dog is inherently dangerous, your insurance company may beg to differ. Most insurance companies keep an unofficial list of “dangerous dogs.” If your pup is either a full or mixed breed on their list, you… read more →
The prime home-buying season is upon us, and with it, mounds of paperwork. And, let’s be honest—a chunk of that paperwork will be devoted to the real estate purchase contract. Here’s how you can sign on the dotted line without losing your mind. What It Is A real estate purchase contract… read more →
There are about 80,000 real estate appraisers in the U.S., and they play a key role in most home sales: Until they weigh in with a determination of a property’s value, the buyer typically can’t finalize a mortgage. The profession got a reputational black eye, however, during the housing boom… read more →
Buying a home is a very big expense—and once you’ve kicked off all that spending, it’s easy to find yourself caught up in rampant lifestyle inflation. After all, you’ve got an enormous, shiny new house just waiting to be filled with all sorts of nice stuff, right? Well, take some quick advice: Don’t… read more →
Most renters sign a standard 12-month lease when renting an apartment, but there is another option available: the month-to-month lease. This type of lease certainly isn’t right for everyone, but given the right circumstances, it may be exactly what you need. Pros of a month-to-month lease Some renters prefer shorter-term… read more →
As you are looking for a place to rent, the differences between how places are managed—either by a property manager or landlord—may not seem to make much difference. But not all property bosses are created equal. Whom you choose to rent from can make a big difference in your whole rental… read more →
VA appraisals are a critical part of the 70-year-old VA loans benefit program. It’s also one of the most misunderstood. VA appraisals help ensure veterans purchase homes that are safe, structurally sound and salable. There are two elements: a valuation of the property and an assessment of property conditions. We’ll take a… read more →
Summer may be real estate’s busy season, but winter offers great opportunities for buying a house, especially for renters looking to become homeowners, growing families trading up to larger houses and baby boomers seeking homes to fit their evolving lifestyles. Generally speaking, your housing choices during the late fall are still healthy. October and… read more →
Sharing a home or apartment with one or more roommates can be a great way to split expenses. But it is not without hazards. In fact, there are three ways a roommate can ruin your credit. ‘Our’ Lease Becomes ‘Your’ Lease Signing a lease with someone else is just like… read more →