Foreclosed homes present an interesting opportunity for those struggling to buy. The selling season should be in full swing but our economic issues have caused a housing slowdown. There are not enough homes available and many are way above what people can afford. Buying a foreclosed home may help you take advantage of the historically [...]
You’ve saved for a down payment and worked hard to get approved for a mortgage. After months of looking, you find a great house that meets your needs and fits your budget. Your offer has been accepted. Then you receive a letter from your lender. Your dream home has appraised 10 percent lower than you [...]
It's that time of year again when Ilyce give you her home buying tips for the new year along with her personal financial resolutions for 2010.
If you are making the largest investment of your life, wouldn't you want to make sure you are protected by obtaining and buying title insurance? When you buy title insurance on a house, a title company gives you certain guarantees that you are the rightful owner of the home and certain other title protections. Title insurance does not protect you against future title problems that might develop nor does it protect you from fire or other casualties. But if you are paying cash to a seller are you certain the seller will give you good title to the home?
If homeowners don't pay your real estate taxes, the tax collector can seize your house and sell it for the back taxes that are owed. In most places, the taxes have to have been unpaid for at least a year or two and the homeowner has the right to catch up on the taxes by paying the interest that has accumulated plus any penalties or fees. The catch is, there is a period of time where the homeowner has the right to catch up with the back taxes payments and pay you back your investment plus interest.
In 2002, more than 6.5 million existing and newly constructed homes were sold, a new record. Although sales of new and existing homes are breaking records, sales of second homes are increasing faster than sales of primary residences. Sales of investment or vacation homes have increased by 25 percent over the last five years to $50 billion per year and are projected to grow to $150 billion by 2005.
