The last week of the month is always filled with a blizzard of housing data. But unlike the snow and ice that have been pelting many parts of the U.S., the housing data point to a hotter spring ahead. Last week, we saw a disappointing slowdown in completed home sales, with… read more →
Many homeowners can benefit from taking on a second mortgage. Some need the extra cash to fix up a second property or help their kid pay for college, while others just want to lower their payments. Applying for a second mortgage is similar to applying for a first mortgage. However, interest… read more →
Losing a home to foreclosure can be catastrophic. The mortgage lender claims the property. The homeowner is forced to move, and his or her credit and future ability to buy a home are affected. In some cases, foreclosure isn’t the end of a homeowner’s problems. Sometimes a foreclosure can also trigger capital… read more →
So you didn’t buy a house last year. That’s OK—you haven’t missed the boat yet on low mortgage rates or a healthy inventory of homes. In many ways, 2015 is a great time to buy a home, not the least of which is for certain tax breaks. Here’s how you could… read more →
While home is where the heart is, it’s also where your money is. Even if you’ve diversified your portfolio, your home is still a major asset and should be treated like any other investment. Think back to how much cash you poured into your home when you bought it. If… read more →
No one enjoys discussing life insurance, but if your family relies on your income to cover the bills, you need a life insurance policy to protect them if something should happen to you. If you’re a homeowner, life insurance is even more important. Many types of life insurance safeguard your home and protect… read more →
You can get a great deal on real estate owned property, but buying a home owned by a lender comes with some risk. Lenders sell REO properties “as is,” meaning you won’t receive any information about the history of the home. That could create some problems when you go to insure… read more →
Mixed Metals In London, designer Kelly Hoppen says mixing warm metals, such as copper and rose gold, with cool ones like silver is particularly hot right now. Los Angeles designer Jamie Bush agreed, saying he is no longer interested in matching every metal finish in a single room: “It’s too… read more →
When that certain lovable Muppet Kermit the Frog sang “It isn’t Easy Being Green” so long ago, chances are pretty good that he wasn’t referring to how easy it is to help the environment. Helping the world go greener can begin with you. Anything from purchasing the right appliances to… read more →
This was a big week for housing data, with more signs pointing toward demand building. The key question for the housing market will be whether new and existing home supply will follow suit. New construction starts in December were up 4.4%, inching closer to an annualized rate of 1.1 million,… read more →