What are the pros and cons of paying cash for a home? What to consider when deciding if it’s better to take out a low-interest mortgage or pay in cash. Q: I know mortgage interest rates are hovering at an all-time low. But, is there anything wrong with paying cash for a home? A: There’s [...]
Understanding COVID-19 homeowner relief resources. How to find coronavirus relief for homeowners offered by mortgage lenders, banks and the government. There’s a lot of confusion about what types of coronavirus relief resources are available for homeowners and who’s eligible for them. Over 60 percent of homeowners have no knowledge of COVID-19 resources or are unsure [...]
Coronavirus homeowner relief resources 2020. How lenders are helping homeowners who can’t make their mortgage payments because of the coronavirus. Coronavirus Homeowner Relief Resources 2020 This week, the government took steps to try to ensure millions of Americans wouldn’t lose their homes, cars, and credit due to the Coronavirus pandemic. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, [...]
How do I prove I paid off my mortgage? What documents do I need to prove I paid off my mortgage loan and can I shred the rest of the paperwork? Q: I got your email from your Expert Real Estate Tips YouTube channel. I have a small condo which I just paid off. After [...]
Will mortgage rates continue to drop in 2020? Should you refinance your mortgage now or wait and see what happens with the real estate market next? The coronavirus is wreaking havoc on the global economy, but there is one bright spot here in America. Thirty-year mortgage rates in the U.S. dipped to 3.29 percent earlier [...]
Should I pay cash or get a mortgage? This home buyer wants to know if it’s better to pay in cash or get a mortgage to take advantage of low rates. Q: We are considering purchasing a new home in a national home builder’s development. We could go through their loan people or pay cash. [...]
Splitting mortgage payments with parents. This reader wants to know how to minimize tax implications and how to protect their later inheritance. Q: I have been discussing assisting my father with his mortgage now that he is retired. We have decided on a 60/40 split of the monthly payment, and I’ll pick up the larger [...]
What happens if you inherit a house with a mortgage? These readers want to know what to do if the mortgage exceeds the value of the property. Q: My husband's stepmother added him to the title to her home prior to death. She added him as a joint tenant with rights of survivorship. We understand [...]
How capital gains tax on the sale of a property held in a trust works. This reader wants to know if they can claim a capital loss on the sale. Q: I enjoyed your column in the Washington Post. I am trustee of my father's trust. Upon his death, his 50 percent interest in the [...]
How do I get rid of PMI on my mortgage? What can you do if you don’t want to pay private mortgage insurance on your mortgage loan? Q: I appreciate your articles and landed on your site after reading your article on prepaying your mortgage. I have a question for you about mortgage loans, private [...]
