If you’re in the market for a mortgage, chances are you’ve been instructed to shop around for the best rates. But just because you’ve been told to shop around doesn’t mean you know how. After you organized your financial information and decide which loan is best for you, follow these… read more →
Local counties in Virginia and Maryland top a list of the happiest places in the United States. SmartAsset ranks Loudoun and Fairfax counties in Virginia, as well as Howard County, Maryland, in the top 10. #1: Loudoun County, Virginia Loudoun County has grown rapidly in recent years. The population has… read more →
With more than 1 million U.S. homes in some phase of foreclosure, great deals abound — if you know how to separate the wheat from the chaff. The No. 1 reason to buy a foreclosure is the potential for a good bargain.RealtyTrac figures show the average short sale fetched $192,129… read more →
Purchase agreements have been hammered out, inspections have been done and issues that were uncovered are being addressed, and the closing date has been set. There’s just one last hurdle to clear before certainty that you are moving: the appraisal. Over the past three months, real-estate appraisals have held back more… read more →
A growing segment of the housing industry is studying what in a home matters most to women. Real-estate agents, designers, marketers and researchers say some of women’s home preferences are purely functional: Moms like dining areas with easily wiped hardwood or tile floors, not carpeting, for example, and the location… read more →
The housing market is now in recovery, and foreclosures have been dropping. Since the housing bust, regulators have focused on preventing borrowers from taking out potentially toxic loans. To help accomplish this, the U.S. government established the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau in 2010. Many potential borrowers are still unsure about… read more →
As if the Target data breach wasn’t bad enough, experts say it’s almost inevitable this kind of thing will happen again. There’s already a lot of breaches related to the Target breach that aren’t being disclosed. There is roughly an 80 percent chance another big data breach like the Target mess will… read more →
Although any home loan might be the right choice for homeowners of any age, mortgage needs change over a lifetime. Here’s a look at which loans are best-suited to different life stages, including when you’re just starting out, hitting middle age and preparing to retire. Just Starting Out Many of… read more →
Housing is typically the biggest expense in a household budget. It would be nice to reduce that major expense when you’re retired. Once you are near retirement, you might want to consider downsizing or relocating to somewhere more affordable. There are many choices because you won’t be tied down to a location near your (former) employer.… read more →
For many couples, it makes sense to buy a home before tying the knot. It’s a decision more couples are now making. A recent survey found that 1 in 4 married couples between the ages of 18 and 34 purchased a first home together before marriage. The trend follows the increase in… read more →