Owning a home can be a very rewarding experience, but it can also come with headaches involving taxes, permits, upkeep and repair, fees, insurance and more. Look for more information here in our articles, blog posts, videos and radio shows about what it means to be a homeowner.
What Kind of Mortgage Can You Afford?
During the housing boom, many homeowners found themselves living beyond their means as easy money skewed expectations of what they could afford. Today, being honest with the realities of the real estate market and mortgage landscape can feel like taking a step backward. So how can homeowners and renters stay within their means and aspire [...]
Real Estate Market: Are We Becoming a Renter Nation?
Is the U.S. shifting from a nation of homeowners (and aspiring homeowners) to a nation of long-term renters? It may depend on your perspective of homeownership. Homeownership has been trending down, while renters are snapping up vacant properties. In fact, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, homeownership may be at its lowest rate since the [...]
Adding a Name to a Mortgage
It's not that simple to just add a name to a mortgage. To add your name to a mortgage, you would have to be one of the owners of the home. Depending on the reasons, it might not be necessary or beneficial to add a name to a mortgage loan.
IRS Announces Help For Homeowners In Financial Trouble
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service just announced that it will allow homeowners to apply to make their mortgage loan the primary lien against their hom...
New BBQ Accessories From Kingsford
BBQ lover alert: new Kingsford BBQ accessories make grilling fun and easy. Kingsford has new silicone sop mops, magnetic grilling light for your spatula or tongs and grill sauce pots! Grill at night with the magnetic light and make the clean up easy with new BBQ accessories by Kingsford. Watch this Expert Real Estate Tips segment for more information.
Condo Owner Shares Building With Renters
More and more condo owners find themselves in a situation where they're sharing a building with renters. In some cases, developers convert apartments into condos and in years past they could sell the units. Selling condos has become more difficult during the credit crisis. What can a condo owner do when he can no longer afford to make payments and the lender won't work with him? His options include recourse against the lender or seller and working with a new lender to stay in the condo.
Consider Renting If You Can’t Sell Home
If you're trying to sell your old home to buy a new one but can't, you may want to rent a second home until the real estate market improves. Instead of struggling to pay two mortgages on a primary residence and second home, consider renting the second home. Save up money for a new home purchase while keeping your credit score intact and avoiding foreclosure or a short sale.
PMI Claims After Foreclosure
A homeowner who went into foreclosure a few years ago is paying a private mortgage insurance (PMI) claim as part of a forbearance agreement with a new lender. Homeowners who purchase property and obtain a loan that exceeds 80 percent of the purchase value must pay for PMI, which protects the lender, not the buyer. The original lender will file a claim with a PMI company and a new lender has the right to collect the full loan amount under a forbearance agreement.
Love Salads? The Oxo Salad Chopper & Bowl
Love Salads? Check out the new Oxo Salad Chopper & Bowl! Learn how to make restaurant quality chopped salad at home with the Oxo Salad Chopper and Bowl. For more information from the International Housewares Show watch this Expert Real Estate Tips segment.