Home improvement projects can cost a ton of money—but if you pick the right one, you could make your money back, the latest edition of an annual survey found. The cost of labor and materials can vary, as can the perceived return on investment, but these five remodeling projects with a midrange… read more →
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 →
Despite your best efforts at cleanliness, your carpet will eventually become the victim of drops, spills, accidents and whatever’s on the bottom of your shoes. To learn how professionals handle problem areas and keep carpets looking new, read these 10 tips. Blot Stains, Don’t Rub Dab stains with a cleaning… 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 →
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 →
