Real Estate Archives

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.

We have thousands of articles on Real Estate. Look below for our latest articles on Real Estate or the list of “Real Estate Articles” and our videos on multiple real estate topics; and search our articles by topic or by using the search box above. Thanks.

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What do Home Sellers Have to Disclose to Potential Buyers?

What do Home Sellers Have to Disclose to Potential Buyers?

By Ilyce Glink| 2019-06-26T12:36:52-05:00 June 26th, 2019|

What do home sellers have to disclose to potential buyers? Being as honest as possible about persistent problems in the home is the best way to go. Q: A large bank of windows in our home leak from time to time. We can have very heavy rain or storm systems move through our area and [...]

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Should You Hire a Family Member to be Your Listing Agent?

Should You Hire a Family Member to be Your Listing Agent?

By Ilyce Glink| 2019-06-26T12:35:36-05:00 June 26th, 2019|

Should you hire a family member to be your listing agent? A reader is concerned the house isn't being sold fast enough but is it her family member's fault? Q: The listing agent for my mom's beach house is my brother-in-law, so I'm stuck. He doesn't seem to either know how to market the property [...]

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Should I Get the Promissory Note After Paying Off My Mortgage?

Should I Get the Promissory Note After Paying Off My Mortgage?

By Ilyce Glink| 2019-06-21T10:44:22-05:00 June 21st, 2019|

Should I get the promissory note after paying off my mortgage? You may not need a note stamped "canceled" but you do need other forms of proof. Q: I saved an article you wrote from 2015 which says that I should "get back the promissory note” I signed when I pay off my loan. And, [...]

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Can I Back Out of a Home Contract for Medical Reasons?

Can I Back Out of a Home Contract for Medical Reasons?

By Ilyce Glink| 2019-06-21T10:43:16-05:00 June 21st, 2019|

Can I back out of a home contract for medical reasons? Despite signing all the paperwork, health issues have this homebuyer considering canceling the deal. Q: My wife and I have a contract to buy a home. All contingencies have been met. But, since late last year, my wife has had many operations leaving unhealed [...]

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What Mortgage Can I Get Approved For?

What Mortgage Can I Get Approved For?

By Liz Stevens| 2019-06-18T09:32:17-05:00 June 18th, 2019|

What mortgage can I get approved for? Fannie Mae found most Americans overestimate the credit score and down payment necessary to qualify for a mortgage. Credit scores and lending requirements are confusing - even to those of us who work in the credit industry or those that are tangentially related, like mortgage origination or banking. [...]

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Natural Disaster: What to Do Before You Make Home Repairs

Natural Disaster: What to Do Before You Make Home Repairs

By Liz Stevens| 2019-06-13T14:27:23-05:00 June 13th, 2019|

Natural disaster: what to do before you make home repairs. There are three things to consider before renovating to repair damage from a natural disaster. Welcome to hurricane season. And, an extraordinarily rainy/delayed planting season in the Midwest. And, wildfire season on the West Coast. Whew! Exhausted yet? As natural disasters become more frequent, more [...]

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What Makes a Good Homeowner’s Association Board?

What Makes a Good Homeowner’s Association Board?

By Ilyce Glink| 2019-06-13T10:26:23-05:00 June 13th, 2019|

What makes a good homeowner’s association board? With most boards being made up of volunteers, getting the right group of people together can be difficult. Q: I read your column each Sunday in our local paper. It is always informative, but unfortunately often too legally sterile to provide useful real-world solutions. Your recent answer to [...]

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Two Expenses That Often Surprise New Homeowners

Two Expenses That Often Surprise New Homeowners

By Ilyce Glink| 2019-06-13T10:24:37-05:00 June 13th, 2019|

Two expenses that often surprise new homeowners. Most buyers don’t consider these big costs when calculating expenses for their home. Q: I have a suggestion that I would like you to share with your readers. I live in a community in which at least two newcomers bought the biggest house they could afford. Being inexperienced, [...]

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When the Homeowner’s Association Doesn’t Uphold Rules

When the Homeowner’s Association Doesn’t Uphold Rules

By Ilyce Glink| 2019-06-06T10:37:30-05:00 June 6th, 2019|

When the homeowner’s association doesn’t uphold rules. A loyal reader offers their insight into how much power the HOA risks losing. Q: You were right on the money with your recent answer to a homeowner who complained that the homeowner’s association (HOA) was not enforcing its rules and regulations and was sometimes waiving some of [...]

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Should I Sign the Seller Disclosure if I Have Unanswered Questions?

Should I Sign the Seller Disclosure if I Have Unanswered Questions?

By Ilyce Glink| 2019-06-03T15:25:41-05:00 May 31st, 2019|

Should I sign the seller disclosure if I have unanswered questions? Before you sign on the dotted line, consider the worst case scenario for each concern. Q: I purchased an older home in northern California earlier this year. We signed off on disclosures at the time of our purchase. We had a number of unanswered [...]

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