Is buying cheaper than renting? You’ve probably heard that buying a home is cheaper than renting an apartment. And since the housing crisis, when mortgage interest rates dropped to historic lows while rental rates were rising, that was mostly true. Now that mortgage interest rates are rising, that's no longer a slam dunk. And, there [...]
A credit score at the lower end of the range can make it difficult to get a mortgage at today’s competitive interest rates—or to qualify for a mortgage at all. But there are several ways you can help improve your chances of qualifying for a mortgage at the best rates, including building a stronger credit [...]
If you’re relocating to a new city and are unable to travel for showings, you may need to consider buying a home without first seeing it in person. Online images provided by real estate agents can sometimes hide crucial details, so this is a base where caveat emptor, or “buyer beware,” applies. As with any [...]
This article was updated on 3/27/17. Buying a home in a competitive market is difficult. Inventory is low in hot sellers’ markets, attracting numerous buyers to the same handful of homes, and some buyers will pull out all the stops to get their offers accepted. Popular homes can launch bidding wars between buyers. In addition, [...]
This article was written by guest blogger Tali Wee. Most homebuyers know that when buying a home, getting a professional home inspection is considered to be almost standard operating procedure. A home inspection study conducted by the American Society of Home Inspectors (ASHI) found that at least 88 percent of home buyers felt more confident in [...]
Ready for a positive sign about how home buyers are financing their homes? And does it make sense to liquidate a stock market investment in order to make a down payment on a home? Get answers to these questions by listening to this week’s episode of the Ilyce Glink Show. You can click the audio [...]
Want to find out where you can get money to put toward buying a home? And since it’s Halloween, have you ever wondered what the house from the movie, “Paranormal Activity” is worth? Get answers to these questions by listening to this week’s episode of the Ilyce Glink Show. You can click the audio link [...]
Are you doing everything you can to minimize the risk of a fire in your home? And just how much can landscaping affect your property appraisal? Get answers to these questions by listening to this week’s episode of the Ilyce Glink Show. You can click the audio link below to listen to the full show, [...]
By the time you have saved for your down payment, put funds in escrow for your dream home, and paid for a home inspection or survey, you may be in the mood to conserve some cash. But if skipping the purchase of title insurance seems like a good idea, you might want to think twice. [...]
Is homeownership still a part of the American Dream? Can we trust that the secondary mortgage market won’t collapse again like it did in 2008? Get answers to these questions by listening to this week’s episode of the Ilyce Glink Show. You can click the audio link below to listen to the full show, or [...]
