Category Archive for "Real Estate"
Understanding foreclosure rates and their impact on the housing market
Well, this is certainly something we weren’t expecting. Major economists promised us that the economic downturn would be nothing like what we experienced in 2008. Yet, a recent headline at Realtor.com warns us that “The number of homeowners receiving a…
Struggling to buy a home? Consider multi-gen living
In the 19th century, three generations living in the same home was a practice that dominated the American lifestyle. “Victorian society believed in the importance of family … Lifespans were lengthening, and couples also married earlier and had children sooner,…
What’s happening there between the curb and your home’s front door?
What happens — or doesn’t — in that area is known in real estate circles as “curb appeal,” and it makes or breaks your home’s first impression. The focal point of this area is the entryway to the home –…
House or Condo: How to decide
Apples and oranges — that’s what condos and houses are. Sure, they both provide a roof over your head, and they’re both financial investments, but that’s where the similarities end. Just as when we compare apples and oranges, houses and…
What to do if your mortgage application is denied
One in 16. That’s the mortgage application denial rate here in the U.S., according to Consumer Reports’ Lisa L. Gill, citing Urban Institute’s data. “And a too-low credit score is among the top reasons folks can’t get a mortgage, according…
What is PMI (or MIP) and how do I get rid of it?
PMI (short for ‘private mortgage insurance’) is one of those things in life that is both a curse and a blessing. If you put down less than 20 percent of the loan amount when you take out a conventional loan,…
3 Real estate deal killers and how to avoid them
Want to hear something a bit surprising that you won’t hear from the media? Last year, the folks at Cinch Home Services, a home warranty company, surveyed 1,000 real estate consumers and just a smidge more than half of the…
Mortgage loans for medical professionals
There has been a lot of debate of late over student loan forgiveness. When it comes to these loans, it’s hard to imagine what the debt wracked up by each of 28,337 students who graduated from medical school. Let’s face…
Things to consider when you want to buy a house with a pool
Some homebuyers wouldn’t think of buying a home that didn’t offer a swimming pool. You’ll typically find these folks in the warmer parts of the country. Then, there are those who didn’t have a pool on their wish list but…
How to find the right real estate agent for your needs
“Are the online real estate agent reviews, such as those at the big real estate portals, reliable?” It’s a question we often hear. A representative of one of these companies once said “We do have published rules and guidelines around…
