When you buy a home, you don't only buy the land, the house, and any other physical structures that come with it. The most important thing is that you are also buying the legal rights of ownership to the property, which is referred to as “title.” This title is indicated in the “deed” — an offici

Is this your first year filing your taxes as a homeowner? If yes, then you're in for some sweet treats. There are certain deductions you are entitled to and can take advantage of to lower your tax bill. Some of these tax breaks can be a one-time deduction or recurring on the life of your mortgag

Whether you're planning to buy a home or sell your current one with the help of a real estate agent, it is important for you to understand what commissions are and who pays for them. A real estate commission is a fee typically paid by the seller for the services of bo

While there are certain home improvements you can add to your home to boost its resale value, there are also many external factors that can devalue your greatest investment. This is why the real estate cliché saying “location, location, location” will never be debunked or even grow old. Many of

There are all sorts of questions that arise when you need to start seeking the help of a real estate professional, and one of the most common is: Who does what? The real estate industry is a complex system comprised of different key players, and the role of each person can sometimes be a little

One of the most important documents in purchasing property is the purchase contract, also known as a purchase and sale agreement. It stipulates the agreement between the parties, and prepares the transaction for closing. What is a real estate purchase contract? A real estate pur

Raising the money for a down payment on a home could be the most challenging step towards homeownership. One way to get the amount you need is to borrow against your 401(k)--although there are numerous options you can consider depending on what's wise for you at the moment. But first, what’s the

There's not an ounce of doubt that today’s home buyers know how to prepare for the house hunting process—especially in a market where competition is tight. Very seldom will you find a home buyer who isn’t pre-approved, and most savvy buyers are sure to have everything else sorted out financially

Before landing your dream home, the first order of business would be the initial process of finding it. Buyers should expect a lot of tours before finding “the one”--but although sellers are often the ones who have to “impress,” buyers should not be too lax about their behavior. If competition e

Congratulations, you just purchased a new house and are now ready to move. The hassle of the home buying process is over, but the settling-in process is not quite done yet. While the hassle of moving your things can sometimes be unnoticeable because of all the excitement, it wouldn't hurt to do

  First things first: you need to have a clear idea of what a lien is. A property lien, in simplest terms, is a legal claim a creditor can put against your property as a consequence of an unpaid debt. It is the creditor's way of collecting debts you owe to them by intending to f

The VA Loan is a powerful mortgage option that has helped more than 22 million veterans, active duty military members and their families, purchase homes and achieve their American dream of homeownership. The program was created in 1944 and is guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs

Want to know what lenders look at when they evaluate your loan application? It's a combination of things. Banks evaluate your attitude towards debt, predict your future income based on past and current employment, and measure your seriousness to purchase a home by asking how much down payment yo

What drives up my home insurance costs? Why is my insurance premiums so high? If you're a new homeowner, this must be one of the many questions that have crossed your mind since you embarked on this new journey. Well, the location, construction, condition, and certain features of your home all p

Congratulations, you're about to purchase your first home! We’re guessing you’ve already gone through the mortgage pre-approval phase, and now it’s time to do the exciting part: house hunting! While you can shop with confidence because of the pre-approval letter provided by your lender, you shou

  Once you finally decide to place an offer on a house, you have to be ready for what comes next. In a slow market, your offer has a high chance of getting accepted given that there is little to no competition. But in a hot market where bidding wars are won by people offering to p

Another complicated thing about selling a home is the issue of what you and your real estate agent need to disclose. You really want to sell your house and at the best possible price. But on the other hand, you don't want to be a sneaky seller and feel like you are deceiving anyone. It can be qu

When is the right time to buy your first home? It's a common thing to be pressured by family and peers in considering the right age to buy your own property. Some people are eager and ready enough to fulfill this American dream early while in their 20s. But others may want to take their time—nic

When looking for homes online, home buyers might chance upon a property with a “contingent offer” status. This means that an offer has been made and accepted, but the sale is still conditional while both parties work on meeting certain criteria. These criteria, or contingencies, are actions that

  Opportunities 1. Lower monthly payments The main and obvious advantage of an interest-only mortgage is its low monthly payments. This benefits buyers who are looking to buy a relatively expensive property, since an interest only loan allows you to buy a pric