Black Mold and Twisted Beams in Their 1960s Virginia House Turned a...
David and Priya Menachery love modern architecture, natural light, music and their family, all of which drove the design when it was time to renovate their midcentury home in Alexandria, Virginia....
View ArticleWhat Is Home Equity? The Value That Matters When You Refinance
Whether you’re looking to lower your monthly mortgage payment, lock in a better interest rate, or tap into your home’s value for cash, there’s one number that matters most: your home equity. Home...
View ArticleClosing Costs Every Home Seller Should Expect—and How To Budget for Them
If you're monitoring the value of your home so you can sell it and reap a worthwhile profit, don't forget to factor in the closing costs for sellers into the sale price. You may estimate that your...
View ArticleNeed Help Finding an Apartment? Try Using a Real Estate Agent
Your lease is up, and it's time to move. A fresh start is exciting, but first, you have to navigate the gantlet of finding and securing a new rental. The rental market can be tough. High demand means...
View ArticleBuy a House for Less: 5 Tips To Win With a Lowball Offer
Everyone wants a deal in real estate—but there’s a fine line between savvy and insulting. While it’s rare to stumble on an underpriced gem, some buyers try to manufacture a bargain by making a lowball...
View ArticleWhat Is a Quitclaim Deed and How To Avoid Fraud Scams as a Homeowner,...
The Boston Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) issued a warning in April about an unprecedented increase in quitclaim deed fraud. A quitclaim deed is a legal document that transfers...
View ArticleHow Much Do Real Estate Agents Make? Commissions, Explained
Whether you are a homebuyer or seller, you will likely work with a real estate agent for your transaction. (Here’s how to find a real estate agent in your area.) Unlike other professionals who bill...
View ArticleBuyers Beware! Hidden Private Transfer Fees Revealed
As a homebuyer, you're aware that you'll eventually have to pay closing costs once you find a home and your offer is accepted. Indeed, real estate transactions typically come with a variety of fees,...
View ArticleTax Implications Following Foreclosure: What You Need to Know
Hitting a rough patch financially can happen to anyone. And sometimes that might mean you can no longer pay your mortgage and you default on your loan. If that happens, you will likely face...
View ArticleClosing on a House: Settlement Tips for Home Sellers
Before closing on a house, you need to get to the settlement table. You're near the end of the process of selling your home, but don't breathe a sigh of relief just yet. While it's certainly true that...
View ArticleCan You Put Offers on Multiple Houses?
You've likely seen the dearth of dramatic real estate articles lately. Mortgage rates are up! Home inventory is scarce! The days a home spends on the market keeps shrinking! And yet some news is good:...
View ArticleBuyers Beware of Private Transfer Fees
Andy Dean/iStock/Thinkstock As a home buyer, you’re aware that you’ll have to pay closing costs and taxes, but you should also be aware of a cost that might come back to bite you when you’re ready to...
View ArticlePrepare To Buy a House With These 10 Must-Do Steps
kali9Want to know how to prepare to buy a house? If you think this will be the year to put your rental days in your rear-view mirror and move into a home of your own, it’s time to start planning now....
View ArticleClosing on a House: Settlement Tips for Home Sellers
Getty ImagesBefore closing on a house, you need to get to the settlement table. You’re near the end of the process of selling your home, but don’t breathe a sigh of relief just yet. While it’s...
View ArticleHow Much Is Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI)? 3 Options to Pay the Cost
This is a question that often comes up when you’re purchasing a home with a down payment of less than 20%, or refinancing your home with less than 20% in home equity. That’s when lender will typically...
View ArticleFull Disclosure: What You Need To Tell Buyers About Your Home
Bill Oxford/iStockWhether you have owned your home for a few years or a few decades, you know its quirks, best features, and flaws. When you decide to sell your home you need to be aware that your...
View ArticleCan You Cancel a Real Estate Contract?
iStockWhile real estate contracts vary from one jurisdiction to another and each contract is individually negotiated, many have contingencies that allow either party to cancel under specific...
View ArticleDoes an ARM Make Sense for You?
AlexRaths/ istockWhile fixed-rate home loans are the preferred choice for most home buyers and homeowners refinancing an existing loan, some borrowers opt for an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM). ARMs...
View ArticleCan an LLC Buy a House? What to Know About Buying a House Under an LLC
UnsplashIf you own your own business, chances are you have a limited liability company (LLC) or, at the very least, you know what that is. Business owners may choose to buy a home using an LLC or under...
View ArticleCan You Put Offers on Multiple Houses?
Can you put offers on multiple houses? It’s a valid question to ask—especially if you’re in search of your dream home. Plus, if you’re a homebuyer living in an area where sellers have the upper hand,...
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