Have real estate questions? Here, you’ll find helpful articles and other resources that cover issues related to real estate, buying, selling, financing, refinancing, credit and debt, insurance, second homes, vacation homes, real estate investment, new construction, and renovation.
She Inherited Her Dad’s House But His Ex-Wife Just Moved In
She inherited her Dad’s house but his ex-wife just moved in. How do you remove your dad’s ex-wife from a house you inherited? Q: My wife just found out her father died. His home, which is in South Carolina, was left in a living trust. She was also told she is the last living and [...]
Real Estate Development Inheritance Costs Heirs Money
Real estate development inheritance costs heirs money. This reader expected a windfall and is wondering how to turn a money-losing situation into something that's at least breakeven. Q: My husband inherited a private development in West Virginia that his father owned. How does one go about starting a homeowners' association (HOA) for something like that? [...]
Will Tax Reform Kill The Housing Market and Tank Home Prices?
Is the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act going to kill the housing market and tank home prices? With the passage of Tax Reform in the House of Representatives, real estate industry groups have gone on the warpath to prevent legislation they believe is ultimately damaging to real estate. Is tax reform going to kill the [...]
4 Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid in a Sellers’ Market
Looking for a home? In this sellers’ market, it’s critical to avoid common homebuyer mistakes. There are a lot of challenges to finding your dream home if you’re house hunting this summer. For one, there are fewer homes on the market. Current homeowners who took advantage of record low mortgage rates during the recession don’t [...]
Seller Disclosure Issues Cause Headache For Buyer
Seller disclosure issues often cause headaches for buyers. In this case, a homeowner (who purchased a home with a sunroom addition three years ago) feels that the seller of the property didn't disclose problems with the addition. The lack of seller disclosure means the homeowner could be facing a huge bill to fix the problem. Q: [...]
The Best and Worst States for First-Time Homebuyers
There are better and worse states to buy a home, much of which has to do with price. First-time homebuyers have a hard time competing in the real estate market, but looking in the right state can make buying your first home much easier. According to a recent study from Bankrate, first-time homebuyers looking for [...]
Renting an Apartment on a Budget
Finding the right apartment to rent is tough enough. Renting an apartment on a budget is even tougher. Between the application fees, moving fees and stress of finding the right apartment (in the right neighborhood and at the right price), the best thing you can do is carefully figure out how much you can afford [...]
Rising Home Prices Might Be Unsustainable In 2017
Home prices are rising fairly dramatically, but those eye-popping increases could be unsustainable in 2017. According to the S&P/Case-Shiller index, home prices rose 5.8 percent annualized gain in December, a pretty dramatic increase, even as mortgage interest rates rose. Housing experts say that as the cost of buying a home accelerates, you shouldn't be seeing [...]
Mortgage Rates Trends 2017: Are Interest Rates Rising or Falling?
Are mortgage interest rates rising or falling in 2017? Home buyers and borrowers are wondering what the mortgage interest rates trend will be in 2017, so they can time their purchase or refinance. While trying to time mortgage market moves is dicey, the consensus from leading economists is that the outlook for interest rates won't [...]
A Valentine’s Day Surprise for Home Buyers, Owners and Sellers
According to data compiled by ATTOM Data Solutions, February is a great month for home buyers, sellers and owners, which translates into it being a better time for home bargains than the so-called “traditional” homebuying seasons of spring and fall. A combination of fewer buyers competing for homes (and the resulting lower home prices) often [...]