Do you need a closing attorney when buying a home? Closing attorneys facilitate real estate transactions but they can’t give legal advice on the deal. Q: I'm a little embarrassed to ask this question, but do I need to hire an attorney for closing? I'm a first-time homebuyer purchasing a new construction home and I [...]
Utility costs by state: what state has the highest average utility bills? How much electricity, natural gas, water, cable and internet costs in each state. If you’re thinking about moving to a different state to lower your cost of living, there are a lot of factors to consider. Typically, people look at the weather, school [...]
Does a quitclaim deed override a will? This reader wants to know which document is used to determine who inherits the property of a friend who passed. Q: My friend filled out a will before she married her last husband. She owned a house and when she married she did a quitclaim deed with her [...]
Housing market trends: top 10 hottest ZIP codes in 2020. Homes in these ZIP codes get the most page views and are off the market in less than 20 days. The housing market has been a bright spot amongst the chaos that has dominated 2020. And, there are some very valid reasons for that, including [...]
Affordable housing options in 2020: granny flats and garage apartments aren’t a thing of the past, they’re in high demand all over the U.S. Affordable housing options are scarce all over the country. Americans working full-time at minimum wage can’t afford a one-bedroom rental in 95 percent of U.S. counties, according to a report by [...]
What happens to the economy when the PPP runs out of money? This reader wants to know how another rise in unemployment will impact the economy. Q: I tried to call in to WGN radio when Ilyce was on a couple of weeks ago. Do you think unemployment will skyrocket when the Paycheck Protection Program [...]
COVID-19 housing impact: which homeowners are most vulnerable? New research spotlights housing markets that are most at-risk in the U.S. The COVID-19 pandemic is having an impact on many parts of the economy: Mortgage interest rates hit an all-time low last week (a 30-year fixed-rate loan can be had for an average of 2.98 percent) [...]
Do I have to pay a buyer’s agent commission? This home seller doesn’t feel like the buyer’s real estate agent has done anything to deserve commission. Q: I am a seller who has an agent that claims he has a buyer for my property. He wants to do a pocket listing. I am absolutely outraged [...]
What are the pros and cons of paying cash for a home? What to consider when deciding if it’s better to take out a low-interest mortgage or pay in cash. Q: I know mortgage interest rates are hovering at an all-time low. But, is there anything wrong with paying cash for a home? A: There’s [...]
How does a short sale work for a buyer? This reader wants to know if they need an attorney to bid on or buy a real estate in a short sale. Q: Do I need an attorney to bid on or purchase a short sale real estate condominium? A: In some parts of the country, [...]
