What mortgage can I get approved for? Fannie Mae found most Americans overestimate the credit score and down payment necessary to qualify for a mortgage. Credit scores and lending requirements are confusing - even to those of us who work in the credit industry or those that are tangentially related, like mortgage origination or banking. [...]
Natural disaster: what to do before you make home repairs. Consider these three things before repairing damage from Hurricane Dorian. The First Major Hurricane of the Season is Here with Hurricane Dorian UPDATED SEPTEMBER 5, 2019: The National Hurricane Center reports Hurricane Dorian is bringing life-threatening storm surge, winds, heavy rainfall and tornadoes to the [...]
What makes a good homeowner’s association board? With most boards being made up of volunteers, getting the right group of people together can be difficult. Q: I read your column each Sunday in our local paper. It is always informative, but unfortunately often too legally sterile to provide useful real-world solutions. Your recent answer to [...]
Two expenses that often surprise new homeowners. Most buyers don’t consider these big costs when calculating expenses for their home. Q: I have a suggestion that I would like you to share with your readers. I live in a community in which at least two newcomers bought the biggest house they could afford. Being inexperienced, [...]
Three remodel ideas for your next home renovation. Home design insights from Houzz will help you plan your home improvement project. The eighth annual Houzz & Home report is finally here to give homeowners insights into remodeling costs, the most popular home renovation projects and ideas for how you can make sure your next home [...]
Is property sold in a trust taxable? Inheriting a home through a trust usually simplifies the selling process, until you consider capital gains taxes. Q: I need some advice about selling a home held jointly in a trust in my name and my brother’s name. This was my mother’s house originally and she has since [...]
When the homeowner’s association doesn’t uphold rules. A loyal reader offers their insight into how much power the HOA risks losing. Q: You were right on the money with your recent answer to a homeowner who complained that the homeowner’s association (HOA) was not enforcing its rules and regulations and was sometimes waiving some of [...]
Should I sign the seller disclosure if I have unanswered questions? Before you sign on the dotted line, consider the worst case scenario for each concern. Q: I purchased an older home in northern California earlier this year. We signed off on disclosures at the time of our purchase. We had a number of unanswered [...]
Can you change your mortgage loan servicer? The short answer is no, but a few calls can help you smooth out the problems you’re facing. Q: Is it possible to change my loan servicer? My refinance was done by a national mortgage lender. They immediately transferred it to a well-known loan servicer. However, my monthly [...]
How much can I afford to spend on a house? There are four factors home buyers should evaluate when setting a budget to buy a house and avoid this situation. How Much Can I Afford to Spend on a House? Taking a realistic look at finances and setting a firm budget is a crucial step [...]
