Pushing paper may seem like the least fun thing about a remodel but, like eating your broccoli, you gotta do it. Here’s an overview of the basic paperwork you will need: Contractors’ Responsibilities Contractors, like any business owners, have to take responsibility for employees and for their work. They should have the following papers in order—signed, with… read more →
The American dream is all about homeownership, right? Actually, the real American dream seems to be about homeownership in a hugely impressive house with all the bells and whistles that’s all decked out and done to the nines and allows you to the keep up with the Joneses. But while… read more →
The property you’ve fallen in love with has everything you want: open floor plan, updated kitchen, beautifully landscaped lawn. But it’s located near high-voltage power lines, and that’s risky. Right? The belief that living near power lines is dangerous has been around for generations. In fact, many researchers have studied whether proximity to… read more →
The real estate market is once again in transition. Cash investors are beginning to fade, opening the door for more traditional home buyers, while fast-profit flippers are finding the deals harder to come by – but more profitable than ever. Home purchases made with all cash, representing mostly deals made… read more →
When renting, research a location and spend time in it before signing a lease. Of course affordability is at the top of most prospective renters’ list of must-haves when searching for an apartment. A bargain may seem like the ultimate win, but an apartment that fits into your lifestyle is essential… read more →
If the idea of buying a house both scares and excites you, that’s how it should be. If you’re only intimidated or only enthusiastic, you’re probably going into the mortgage-buying process ill-informed. After all, in the years before the Great Recession, homebuyers weren’t intimidated at all. For quite a few… read more →
You never know for sure what’s going to turn up at an open house. Don’t leave catastrophes to chance if you’ve got old wiring or bad plumbing. Get your house up to snuff well ahead of time. As for open house attendees, be prepared for anything and everyone — looky-loos, nosy… read more →
It’s natural for any owner to try and maximize profits when it comes to putting their home on the market. And one tactic many prospective sellers consider when trying to cash in is cutting the realtor commission by selling the house themselves! Well, here’s a reality check. Selling your home… read more →
These days, record-breaking foreclosure statistics are coming out with numbing frequency. But what happens to the thousands of families after their personal financial disaster is added to the mounting national count? Unfortunately, once a foreclosure is final, the financial and emotional upheaval is far from over. While there’s considerable pain, most foreclosure victims… read more →
Sure, you know that having bad credit can mean paying more for a car loan or a mortgage. You know that it means you can pay more to use your credit cards. But did you know that people with bad credit also pay more for their car insurance and sometimes… read more →