Why is aging in place important? Seniors are staying in their homes longer than prior generations and it's contributing to the national housing shortage. Today’s seniors have better health and higher levels of education than prior generations and that means they’re living longer and working longer. Seniors born after 1931 are staying in their homes [...]
With the surge of residential real estate development in Chicago, is now the perfect time to buy? There are a few things you have to understand about the market before making the decision. Q: With all the residential development going on in Chicago for the near future, and the many high rises downtown going up, [...]
What happens to real estate when the government is shut down? Fannie Mae released temporary guidelines for loan processors to assist federal workers and contractors during the government shutdown. Homebuyers, lenders and real estate agents might experience closing delays as the U.S. partial government shutdown continues. And, there’s nothing that increases personal and financial stress [...]
Where is the safest city in America? On the east coast, in a smaller metropolitan area with lower home prices, a boon for home buyers and investors. After comparing more than 180 cities across 39 key indicators of safety (like assaults per capita and road quality), WalletHub determined that Columbia, MD is the safest city [...]
What can you do when the seller won’t leave the new home that you’ve already closed on? First, take a look at the closing documents, then call your lawyer. Q: We just closed on a house but the sellers have not vacated the property on our agreed terms. They were supposed to be completely out [...]
You may wonder why you need to get a land survey when buying property. The answer is simple: You should always get what you pay for. A few weeks ago, a reader asked if he was entitled to extra compensation from the seller because he found out that the seller had sold a piece of [...]
Is renting or home buying right for you in retirement? The answer depends on both your financial situation and your health. We recently received a couple of questions dealing with couples who are in their sixties, seventies and eighties that are planning to move and wonder whether they should buy or rent their next home. [...]
Who pays for title insurance when selling a home: the buyer or the seller? The answer depends on the customs and practices of each individual state. Q: Is it mandatory for a seller to pay for title insurance in Oregon especially if they were sole owner of home from the day it was constructed? A: [...]
Is it better to rent or buy in retirement? This retired reader isn't sure whether she should buy or rent. Q: My wife and I are wondering if it is better to rent or buy in our retirement? We are retired and renting an apartment for $1,600 a month. I am 64 and she is [...]
What documents do you need to apply for a mortgage? Here’s a list of the documents you need to apply for a mortgage. Make sure to have them handy in order to keep the mortgage loan process on track. Q: I’ve been watching Ilyce’s videos on her YouTube.com/ExpertRealEstateTips channel. Here’s my question: I am applying [...]
