Real Estate

Ways to add equity to your home

Ways to add equity to your home

Buying a home is a major life achievement. But it’s also an investment in your financial future. While regular mortgage payments build up equity in your home over time, there are upgrades and changes you can make to your home that increase its value quickly, resulting in a big return on your investment. Homeowners should look for easy, cost-effective ways to increase their home’s value over time,...

Buying a house as a couple

Buying a house as a couple

Are you ready to take the next step in your relationship and buy your first home as a couple? Homeownership is a wonderful adventure you and your better half will enjoy for years. Of course, you better not forget all the details that come along with homeownership. Whether you are married or living common-law, here are some things that you need to know about buying a house as a couple. Buying a house as a...

Common red flags for homebuyers

Common red flags for homebuyers

Sellers don't always disclose the whole truth to potential homebuyers, especially if they're eager to sell. But you can't afford to get a professional inspection of every house you tour. So before you spring for the professionals, narrow down your choices by doing your own pre-inspection to spot potential problems. Here is a list of some of the most common red flags for homebuyers. Common red flags for...

10 tips for buying a waterfront home

10 tips for buying a waterfront home

Looking for a home with lake or ocean views? While buying a waterfront home can be a great investment, it can also be challenging. Whether it’s a lake house or a beach house you want, we recommend learning the ins and outs of waterfront homeownership before you commit. Here are 10 tips for buying a waterfront home in today’s market. 10 tips for buying a waterfront home 1. Carefully Inspect the...

Pros and cons of Airbnb as an investment strategy

Pros and cons of Airbnb as an investment strategy

Despite the ongoing pandemic, investing in Airbnb still looks like a lucrative strategy. Whether you’ve stayed in an Airbnb rental or have just heard about the lucrative possibilities of owning a sought-after short-term property, owning a portfolio of Airbnb rentals may seem like a smart way to boost your passive income. Using the Airbnb platform—or a competitor such as VRBO or HomeAway - to rent...

Real estate investing tips for beginners

Real estate investing tips for beginners

The idea of real estate investing is to put your money to work today so that you can have more money later. Your investment profit, or return, must be sufficient to cover the risk you assume and the taxes you pay. Other expenses associated with real estate ownership include utilities, upkeep, and insurance. Real estate investing can be quite straightforward when you grasp the fundamentals of investment,...

First-time homebuyer questions

First-time homebuyer questions

You’re on the hunt for your dream home. You’ve established a successful relationship with a real estate agent and loan officer and now it’s time to tour some homes. What’s next? Here are some first-time homebuyer questions ​to ask when touring a home to make sure it meets your standards. First-time homebuyer questions Why did you choose this home for me? A good place to start is by asking the...

The phases of foreclosure

The phases of foreclosure

What is a foreclosure? Foreclosure is the process by which a mortgage lender takes back property after a borrower defaults on his or her mortgage payments. Once the bank forecloses on a property, the lender sells it to make back some of the money they’ve lost. While the process varies depending on where the property is located. Why do people default on their mortgages? Often, the borrower doesn’t...

Advantages and disadvantages of buying a house with cash

Advantages and disadvantages of buying a house with cash

Imagine how much easier life would be if you could just write a check for your next home. No mortgage application process, no monthly payments, the security of owning your home outright - sounds like a no-brainer, right? Not necessarily. Paying cash for a home isn’t always the right financial move, even if you happen to have a few hundred thousand dollars sitting around collecting dust. If you’re...

Why you need a real estate agent to buy a home

Why you need a real estate agent to buy a home

If you’re thinking about buying a home, you may wonder whether you need a real estate agent. There are plenty of resources for home buyers these days, from online search sites to how-to guides. Doing the work yourself can save you the significant commission rates many real estate agents command. But an agent has something no buyer – particularly a first-time buyer – does: a wealth of experience and...

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