Closing Delays Are Common
Once a sales contract is signed, it takes more than four weeks, on average, for the deal to finally close. But a lot can go wrong during that time period – and often does. Here’s what new agents should know.
Hidden Referral Fees Could Be Costly
Because buying a referral cuts deeply into agents’ earnings those who pay them are far less likely to bargain over their commissions with consumers, a new report argues.
Landlords Need Extra Insurance
If you’re an owner-occupier landlord, remember: a traditional homeowner’s insurance policy won’t cut it, alone.
Delisted Homes Are Coming Back, with a New Mindset
There’s been a jump in the number of houses hitting the market in recent weeks. A number are homes that had been listed without selling because they were overpriced.
How to Spot Moving Troubles
America used to be a nation of nomads. What hasn’t changed, however, is that people who do choose to move still need help with the heavy stuff.
Down Payment Assistance Available for Middle-Income Borrowers
Need help coming up with a down payment? It’s there for the asking. And it’s not just for low-income buyers, anymore.
Rental Scams Targeting Renters on the Rise, Too
More than half the people who told federal watchdogs they were ripped off by a rental scam said it had originated on Facebook or Craigslist.
Smaller, Better New Houses Coming
Bigger isn’t always better. Going into the spring shopping season, buyers looking for newly built houses will find places that are smaller, but just as functional.
The Latest Scam for Homeowners: Fake Utility Billing Websites
It’s the latest scam levied against unaware homeowners. And what makes it so dangerous is that criminals aren’t just blasting out random emails.
There’s a Trick to Shopping for the Best Mortgage Rate
Shopping for mortgage rates can save borrowers a lot of money – $222 a month on average, according to a June report from LendingTree. But there’s a trick to browsing the field for the best rate.
Expect Your Tax Escrow to Rise
Most homebuyers figure that their property taxes will be the same as those paid by the house’s previous owner. That’s a common mistake.
Pregnant Buyers Face Additional Pressures
Buying a house is always a taxing experience. But when you are expecting a child, it turns into a “high-stakes, emotionally charged and biologically timed sprint.”
Late with Payments? Call Your Lender Now
The typical indicators of homeowner financial stress – mortgage delinquencies and foreclosure filings – are rising across the land.
Credit Scores Help Insurance Premiums, Not Just Mortgage Rates
The key to obtaining a lower mortgage rate is a good credit score. But new research has also found a direct link between credit scores and insurance premiums.
Many Homebuilders Are Overextended
Signs suggest many large homebuilders, and even their smaller brethren, have gotten too far out over their skis.
Real Estate Agents Balk at Negotiating Fees
Homebuyers looking to pay their agents directly have found little success, according to a new consumer group study. That’s not what was supposed to happen.
Few Changes in Real Estate Agent Fees
The supposedly “earthshaking” legal settlement that was supposed to drive down real estate commissions wasn’t so tumultuous after all.
An Untimely Death Changes Everything
What happens when the person buying your house dies before the closing date? Or when your tenant passes away mid-lease?
How to Save on Selling Expenses
If you think it costs a bundle to buy a house – what with a down payment and all – wait till you learn what it costs to sell one: more than $67,000, on average.
Don’t Dismiss Lowball Offers
You’ve finally gotten an offer on your house. But it’s ridiculously low – tens of thousands under your asking price. So, what do you do?
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