Is the housing market going to crash in 2021? After a whirlwind year in 2020, real estate experts expect another record breaking year in 2021. Is the Housing Market Going to Crash in 2021? The housing market has shown some signs of slowing down after a record-shattering year in 2020, prompting headline writers to start [...]
Do I really need a home inspection before buying a home? This building inspector explains why it’s so important to hire a professional, qualified home inspector. Last October, we answered a question from a reader asking when it is okay to buy a house that was updated without pulling necessary permits. (In some areas of [...]
Real estate market 2021: where homes are selling fast. Housing market predictions highlight the metros that’ll have the greatest sales growth in 2021. New housing market predictions from Realtor.com anticipate a strong year for buyers and sellers in 2021. This goes hand-in-hand with the strong mortgage market expected in 2021 due to continuing, historically-low interest [...]
Do I need a real estate attorney to buy a house? This reader can’t find a residential real estate attorney and wants to know how to proceed without one. Q: I have a goal of becoming a first-time homebuyer soon. I picked up Ilyce’s 100 Questions Every First-Time Homebuyer Should Ask book and found it [...]
Do you need a real estate agent to buy or sell a house? These readers bought their home and sold a vacant lot without the help of any real estate agents. Q: My husband and I sold a vacant lot in Texas this past year without any agents being involved. We have followed the market [...]
Is title insurance a waste of money? The title company handling the purchase offered it and the homebuyer wants to know if it’s really necessary. Q: Have you ever heard of an "enhanced title?" A friend of mine is buying a home and the title company handling her purchase is offering that to her. I [...]
How to approach neighbors to buy their house. This reader thinks neighbors might move out in the next decade and wants to indicate interest in buying the home. Q: I live in a suburb of Chicago and have two neighbors across the street who I have met a couple of times at block parties. Both [...]
What happens when a will and a quitclaim deed conflict? She quitclaimed her interest in the home when they split, but he never changed his will. Q: My friend prepared his will and specified that his house would go to his girlfriend. She had contributed money to the upkeep while they were together. At the [...]
Buying a house in another state: How to view the property without visiting. This homebuyer doesn’t want to make the trip if it’s not for an active listing. Q: Can you give me any advice on how to make it easier to look for a house when you live in a different state? I live [...]
Buying a house that had work done without a permit: What you need to know. This owner wants to know how they should proceed when sellers had work done on the home without a permit. Q: I've always been told that when buying a house I should ask to see any building permits to make [...]
