Homeowners Articles and Videos - Page 7

Why should I purchase title insurance when my house is paid for? Title insurance companies provide the service of searching the public records and furnishing a report called a title insurance commitment. The cost of title insurance varies greatly from state to state. Title insurance should not be…

When you pay off a refinanced mortgage you may be hit with several fees. There are a number of fees the mortgage lender charges when a homeowner pays off the mortgage, such as processing and faxing fees. Learn what the fees associated are with paying off a refinanced mortgage.

A woman canceled her wedding but is still on the mortgage loan for the home she bought with her fiance. Until the fiance refinances the mortgage, the woman will be responsible for 50 percent of the mortgage. Keeping her name on the deed to the home will give the ex-fiance a reason to refinance the…

At first blush, multi-family housing makes a lot of sense. Move in with your friends and split your mortgage in half. Lenders even offer special multi-family financing. But it's not something to jump into too quickly. Make sure you're on the same page when it comes to the mortgage and maintenance…

Tax time is here again. For homeowners, there are many tax breaks just waiting to be picked. In "J.K. Lasser's Homeowner's Tax Breaks," Gerald Robinsion walks through scenarios that could result in a lower tax bill. As a tax attorney who used to work with the IRS, Robinson provides many real-life…

Condominiums - What can you do if a neighbor violates condominium rules and regulations and your condo association won't do anything about it? You can try talking to your neighbor to see if you can resolve it. If that doesn't work, you may have to consider moving. If the neighbor's actions don't…

When a property line is incorrectly recorded it results in title problems, which can delay or prevent a home sale. To resolve this kind of title problem, you have to correct the documents filed with the homeowners association and possibly create an easement so that the property line becomes…

Homeowners will get a tax break in the form of capital gains if they sell real estate 2 years after its purchase date. The capital gains tax law allows homeowners to take the first $250,000 for a single homeowner or $500,000 for a married couple tax free, if they've lived there for 24 months before…

A homeowner finds mold in her attic, but her insurance company refuses to honor the claim. It's important to read your homeowners insurance policy carefully -- most insurers are not covering mold claims except due to specific circumstances, like a burst pipe, and often not at all. Mold is often…

If you're a homeowner looking for information on Homeowners Association or Condominium Associations, contact the following places:

www.caionline.org www.cai-georgia.org (For Georgia residents)

Did you know that children of homeowners are likely to perform better in school? As if super-low interest rates weren't enough of a reason to start looking for a new house, now a new study commissioned by the homeownership alliance says children of homeowners are likely to perform higher on academic…

Being a homeowner can boost your child's performance in school. Children of homeowners score higher on achievement tests and are more likely to finish high school. In other money news, an Illinois Appeals Court upheld the lemon law rights of consumers who lease their vehicles, and the house of…

Most homeowners who choose to put their homes up for sale by owner do so in order to eliminate their real estate agent's commission and make more profit on their home sale. But homeowners who put their homes up for sale by owner should make sure they understand everything they are getting into…

By the 1950s, homes were being built with bathrooms and kitchens, closets and a huge unfinished second floor for "someday" expansion. By the year 2000, newly-constructed homes had three or four bedrooms, two and a half baths, built-in washing machines and dryers, master suites, attached two or three…

With the Federal Reserve holding interest rates low, mortgage loan rates are also low. As a result more home buyers are buying homes and demand for homes is increasing. Home values are rising but by how much depends on what region of the country you're in. Economists expect interest rates to stay…

For those with poor credit, or renters just out of college, homeownership can seem like a far-off dream. And while it's good to be focused, it's helpful to have a few simple steps get you on the path to achieving that dream. Get your financing in order before you look for a home. Make sure your…

A reverse mortgage can be a good option for seniors on a fixed income. A reverse mortgage allows a home owner over age 62 to use his home's value to get a loan in a lump sum or monthly payments. The home owner doesn't pay anything back on the reverse mortgage until he moves out or sells it. Several…

What starts out as a home renovation or home improvement project can become an ongoing home repair. Not long after you complete your home improvement project, your home may again begin to show signs of wear and tear. Should you keep making home improvements or home repairs?

Although it may seem that lenders are quick to foreclose on a home, mortgage experts say foreclosure is an expensive, time-consuming process for lenders. If you are in danger of not making a payment to your lender, or if you are struggling to pay all of your bills, there are some ways you can avoid…

Does your home have masonite siding? Or is it sheathed in synthetic stucco? Or do you own stock in a company that has been sued by shareholders? Hundreds of class action lawsuits are filed and settled each year. You might qualify - and get some benefit - if you know where to look.

In the aftermath of the terrorist attacks a year ago, the nation's insurance companies took a look at their books -- and realized they were taking a big hit on many homeowner's insurance policies. As a result, premiums have gone up and coverage has been denied more often. Here are the best ways to…

If buying a home seems scary, selling has the potential to really turn your world upside down. If you're going to sell, you'll have to separate from your home - and the sooner the better. Until you do, you'll remain a homeowner rather than a home seller.

Learn about some web sites you can consult if you're designing a playground for your home backyard or at your child's school. Playground design should incorporate safety features.

Before you list your home for sale, or shortly thereafter, you should enlist your neighbors' help in finding a buyer for your property. They can be the best source of marketing for your for sale property because they already like living in the neighborhood. Even though you've hired an agent, plan on…

Playground injuries account for many childhood visits to the emergency room. How can you design a playground that's safer for children? And what can you do with the landscaping to keep your children safe when designing a playground?