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.
Choose Cash Instead Of Real Estate In Contest
When you win a home in a contest you're still responsible for taxes on your winnings including property taxes. When you have a choice between cash and real estate it may be better to choose cash. If you choose the home and keep it then you'll have to pay property taxes and maintain the home. If you choose the home and sell it you'll have to spend money on a real estate commission and other expenses.
Financing A Mortgage On An Investment Property Without U.S. Citizenship
Financing a mortgage for an investment property where one of the owners is not a U.S. citizen can be tricky. Most mortgage lenders are reluctant to finance a mortgage on an investment property to an immigrant who does not have a long-term visa or has become a resident of the United States. Ilyce and Sam help this reader figure out the best way to finance a mortgage on an investment property where his potential co-owner does not have U.S. citizenship.
Housing Boom Taking New Territory
The latest housing boom is pushing housing developments into new territory. New home buyers are flocking to buy new homes in areas where a relatively small investment can still buy you a lot of house.
More Real Estate Books For Spring
"Trump Strategies for Real Estate: Billionaire Lessons for the Small Investor" by Donald Trump's "Apprentice" sidekick George Ross has some great tips and common sense advice for real estate investors. Ross says that there are five personal qualities you need to succeed in real estate.
Real Estate Books Help With Taxes And Building
When you're investing in real estate, it helps to be knowledgeable about the taxes you'll pay when your buying and selling real estate. Reading these two real estate books, Every Landlord's Tax Deduction Guide and The House That Jill Built: A Woman's Guide to Home Building, can help you learn about taxes and building a dream home.
Mortgage Loans For Financing Investment Property
There are several mortgage loans available for financing investment property. One of the best mortgage loans for financing investment property is the FHA 203(k) loan, but you must live in the house for at least one year. A construction loan is another type of mortgage loan for financing investment property, but you might be required to pay higher interest in order to waive some other fees.
Real Estate Investments: Successful Property Selling
Ilyce reflects on how some people are making a killing on real estate investments and are very successful at selling investment property. Those who are the most successful at selling investment property seem to understand something very basic about real estate. In order to sell real estate investment property quickly, you have to have something that people want to buy at a price that gives buyers an incentive to move quickly.
Tips For Selling Your Vacant Home
Selling a vacant home brings different challenges than a lived-in home. They will usually take longer to sell and sell for less. Keep the home in top condition even if you aren't living there, in order to sell faster. Price your vacant home competitively. Walking into a vacant home, a buyer will infer that the seller is motivated and may even be paying two mortgages.
New Construction Contract Omits Vacant Lot Definition
A home buyer buys new construction expecting the next door lot to remain vacant per a verbal agreement with the developer. Later on, the home buyer learns that a developer plans to build on the vacant lot next to the new construction. One option is for the home buyer to buy the vacant lot next to the new construction. The home buyer wants to know his options and they're limited since the promise about the vacant lot was not in writing.