For many, renting is a necessary stepping stone on the path to homeownership. Embark on the journey wisely with these rent-smart tips, courtesy of NeighborWorks America. 1. Be on alert for rental scams. Scammers often advertise rentals that don’t exist or aren’t...
Tax season’s here, and like many taxpayers, you may be considering hiring a tax preparer, or a certified public accountant (CPA), for filing services. As with many professions, it pays to do your homework before hiring. “It’s important to thoroughly vet the person you...
A vast majority of Americans believe that buying a home is a solid financial decision, and most believe they could sell their home for at least its initial purchase price, according to a new survey from the National Association of Realtors®. The 2015 National Housing...
When selling a home, getting the price right — and getting it right from the start — is perhaps, the most important factor to success. And it’s typically the number one mistake homeowners make. Where many people get in the weeds is online home price estimation website...
Buying a home is very different from any other purchase one has made prior to that moment. You quickly find out that there’s a lot of paperwork, more expenses than you could have ever imagined, and for many first-time homebuyers, you find out just how naïve you really...
In an announcement that could save home buyers hundreds of dollars each year, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Julián Castro said last week that the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) would reduce insurance fees by thirty percent, from 1.35% of the loan...
In a move aimed to boost home sales, Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac announced a new mortgage program with down payments as low as three percent. The program targets first-time home buyers with good credit, but little cash. The announcement has drawn criticism in some...
Significant changes to Maryland’s Lead Risk Reduction in Housing Act were passed during the 2012 legislative session. Chief among these is that after January 1, 2015, residential rental properties built before 1978 will be required to be registered and renewed...
At some point in life, one is likely to face the question of renting versus buying a home. It’s often a question to which there is no straight-forward answer. There are many factors and variables at play and for many people, it is a decision that can have a major...
Any reasonable person wants to get the best price on a home, whether they are selling or buying. But pricing a home for sale can be tricky. There are many factors to consider, not to mention the sentimental value, which may blind a homeowner to the reality of the...
Most people would like to pay cash for a home purchase. But more often than not, buying a home requires financing. Most real estate professionals recommend getting an idea of what type of home you can afford before beginning your search. It can save a lot of time by...
