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Financial Windfall: Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage?
If you have a financial windfall headed your way, whether via luck or hard work … Congratulations! Now that you’ve caught your breath, you’re likely looking for the best way to manage your newfound...
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What Should I Expect When Selling a Townhouse?
Q. I’ve owned my townhouse for 15 years, but now I’d rather live in a single-family home. I’ve never sold a home before, and I don’t know where to start. Are there issues I need to be aware of when...
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What Is a Recourse Loan?
If you’ve taken out a mortgage and are paying it back on time and in full, you probably will never pay attention to whether your home loan is a “non-recourse” or a “recourse” loan. However, these...
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How Do I Find a Home Sale Price in My Neighborhood?
Q. I’m unsure if I want to sell my house or keep it and renovate it. In part, this depends on what I can get for it if I sell it. There have been a couple of home sales in my neighborhood recently....
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Why Title Insurance Shouldn’t Be Boring for Home Buyers
You’re forgiven for thinking that insurance is the least exciting topic related to buying a home. Of course, all home buyers are interested in exploring new neighborhoods and deciding how to decorate...
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Should I Use a Lender or a Mortgage Broker?
Q. I’m getting ready to buy a home next year and I know I should start by consulting someone about financing options. My co-worker says she worked with a mortgage broker when she bought her home....
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Buyer’s Dilemma: Should I Hire My Own Home Inspector?
Q. I’m about to make an offer on a home, and I know I need to have a home inspection. My friend told me to find my own inspector rather than the home inspector recommended by my real estate agent....
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Does an ARM Make Sense for You?
While fixed-rate home loans are the preferred choice for most home buyers and homeowners refinancing an existing loan, some borrowers opt for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). ARMs were popular prior...
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Purchase Your Own Lot: How Do I Buy Land?
Q. I’m interested in building a custom home someday, and I have an architectural plan that almost matches what I want. I can even complete some of the work myself. Now I just have to find the right...
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Is Replacing Carpet With Hardwood Always Worth It?
DigiStu/iStock Thinking about replacing your floors? Especially if you have carpet, the choice seems clear: Hardwood floors are preferred by home buyers and renters across the United States. But...
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Should a First-Time Home Buyer Reach for a Bigger Home?
Q. I’m a first-time home buyer on a budget, like I guess all first-time home buyers are. I know I want to live in a house with a yard, four bedrooms, an open kitchen, a great room and a nice...
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Resolve to Buy a Home With These 10 Must-Do Steps
If you think the new year is going to be the year to put your rental days in your rear-view mirror and move into a home of your own, it’s time to start preparing. Even if you won’t be ready to buy for...
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Should I Sue Sellers Over False Information?
Q. I bought a house six months ago and now that we’ve had a spell of severe cold weather I’ve discovered that my pipes freeze really easily. Winter is just beginning and the pipe leading to my kitchen...
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How to Sell a House Near a Busy Road
Q. My wife and I bought a house we loved eight years ago even though it was on a busy road. That one flaw made the home a little more affordable and we were willing to live with it. Now we can afford...
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Buyers Beware of Private Transfer Fees
As a home buyer, you’re aware that you’ll have to pay closing costs and taxes, but you should also be aware of a cost that might come back to bite you when you’re ready to sell your property: a...
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How to Sell a Home With Two Mortgages
Q. My wife and I bought our home eight years ago and financed it with a 10% down payment, a first loan of 80%, and a second mortgage for the other 10% to avoid paying private mortgage insurance. Now...
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Make Your Home Equity Work for You
While home is where the heart is, it’s also where your money is. Even if you’ve diversified your portfolio, your home is still a major asset and should be treated like any other investment. Think back...
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How Should I Arrange My Rent-Back Agreement?
Q. I found a house that I really love and made an offer that was acceptable, but the sellers say they need to stay in it for at least a month after settlement. I’m living with my parents right now so...
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Do I Have to Disclose a Previous Repair?
Q. I’m about to put my home on the market and don’t know what I have to disclose about the property. A few years ago my bathtub leaked and I had to replace the tub, fix the bathroom floor, and repair...
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5 Remodeling Projects That Will Boost Your Home’s Value
Home improvement projects can cost a ton of money—but if you pick the right one, you could make your money back, the latest edition of an annual survey found. The cost of labor and materials can...
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