Beware Pre-Closing Pitfalls
It takes about 43 days, on average, to go from signing a contract on a house to reaching the settlement table. And between those dates, bunches of things can go haywire and scuttle the deal.
EV Sales Just Hit a Record. So How Do You Add a Charger to a House?
Sales of electronic vehicles continue to increase every year. And with that comes greater demand for at-home EV charging stations.
Need Listings? Look for Homes that Were Taken Off the Market
Would-be sellers who have taken their houses off the market should be ready for an all-out blitz this spring from agents looking to relist their places
What Real Estate Agents Shouldn’t Do
Collectively, real estate agents don’t always have the greatest reputation, even if it’s undeserved in many cases. But some agents really cross the line. Here’s a listing of some of the biggest red flags.
Finding Money to Rebuild After Disasters
Hurricanes, fires, floods: If you’re struck by one of these disasters, you’re going to need money. The good news is that there are numerous financial resources available.
Homebuyers’ Student Debt Issues Can Be Solved. Here’s Where to Start
Massive, often insurmountable amounts of student debt have prevented millions of otherwise qualified borrowers from obtaining financing to buy a house.
After Death or Divorce, What Happens to the House?
When a family member passes away, their loved ones sometimes become homeowners unexpectedly. In these situations, servicers are supposed to help, but some just steer borrowers into costly refinances.
Should Sellers Sign Long-Duration Listing Agreements?
The Department of Justice has warned buyers not to sign contracts binding them to the agent showing them houses. And maybe they shouldn’t. But what about sellers?
Flood Insurance Is Getting More Affordable
The National Flood Insurance Program is working on allowing policyholders to pay their premiums on a monthly basis. Previously, premiums could only be paid annually.
A Homebuyer’s Glossary of Key Terms to Know
Real estate has its differences – like the difference between spec houses and custom-built homes, or between a pending sale and a completed one.
One Mortgage Banker’s Plan to Fix the Housing Crisis
To Mark Milam, a mortgage banker and loan originator in Atlanta, many current proposals are like “swallowing an aspirin next year for a headache you have now.”
Are People Losing Interest in Second Homes?
Are people losing interest in second homes? It appears so, according to an analysis of the latest Census Bureau data.
Early Returns Show Commissions Are Falling
A survey of some 1,300 agents and brokers suggests that the class-action settlement that rocked the real estate world is pushing real estate agent commissions down.
Dropping Homeowners Coverage Could Prove Costly
If you’re a homeowner who’s considering canceling your insurance coverage due to the high cost, think twice. You could be up the creek even without a natural disaster.
Many Vacant Houses Need to Be Registered – Even Vacation Homes
Many local governments started requiring vacant units to be registered following the Great Financial Crisis. Ignoring these rules can prove costly.
Some Houses Are Movie Stars
‘Beetlejuice Beetlejuice,’ the sequel to the 1988 Tim Burton horror comedy, raked in $110 million during its opening weekend in September. But how much would it cost to buy the Connecticut house where most of the movies’ action takes place?
Sellers, It’s Time to Think About Concessions
Sometimes, homebuyers are hesitant to pull the trigger. They might love the house they found – it’s priced right and mortgage rates are coming down – but they just can’t decide whether to move forward.
Seller Deed Fraud Seems Hard to Stop
Scammers succeeded in stealing one Massachusetts property and almost got their hands on another this summer using a type of fraud called “seller impersonation.”
Don’t Miss the Chance to Refi
If the past is prologue, millions of homeowners with high-rate mortgages won’t refinance their loans, even as mortgage rates tumble.
Cash Buyers Can Get Their Money Back
Cash is king when it comes to buying a house. Always has been, and always will be. And these days, individual cash buyers – as opposed to cash-laden investors – have an even better shot of scoring the house of their dreams.
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