Real Estate

How to Buy a Home in This Very Competitive Seller’s Market
Real Estate

How to Buy a Home in This Very Competitive Seller’s Market

Martin Eiden | September 1, 2021

The residential real estate market is in a frenzy. A historically low supply of homes for sale combined with buyers…

How to Negotiate Real Estate Commissions
Buying & Selling

How to Negotiate Real Estate Commissions

Stephen Brobeck, PhD | July 15, 2021

With a few minutes of effort and these tactics, you could save thousands of dollars on the sale of your home to buy a new car.

Looking to Buy a House? Beware These Signs of Serious Problems
Buying & Selling

Looking to Buy a House? Beware These Signs of Serious Problems

Wally Conway | June 1, 2021

Spot important warning signs that there may be problems with a house before you buy—what to check on doors, windows, cabinets, electrical, roof, more.

Mortgage Lenders More Generous With Points
Mortgages

Mortgage Lenders More Generous With Points

Keith ­Gumbinger | April 15, 2021

If you're in the market for a “jumbo” mortgage, paying discount points upfront could be a great deal.

Mortgage Loans Harder to Obtain
Mortgages

Mortgage Loans Harder to Obtain

Keith ­Gumbinger | March 4, 2021

Mortgage rates are at record lows, but borrowers are increasingly likely to have mortgage applications denied as lenders fear defaults.

How to Decide Whether to Pay Off Your Mortgage Despite Low Rates
Mortgages

How to Decide Whether to Pay Off Your Mortgage Despite Low Rates

Allan S. Roth, CFP, CPA | March 4, 2021

Mortgage rates are so low that home loans seem like bargains, but paying off your mortgage early often remains a savvy money move.

As the World Turns Topsy Turvy, Is This a Good Time to Buy a House?
Buying & Selling

As the World Turns Topsy Turvy, Is This a Good Time to Buy a House?

Jeff Tucker | February 18, 2021

Would-be buyers have been tempted by historically low mortgage rates…only to discover that the inventory of homes for sale is extremely low.

How to Get the Best Rates Now on Mortgages and Other Loans: Coronavirus Fallout Pushes Down Borrowing Costs
Mortgages

How to Get the Best Rates Now on Mortgages and Other Loans: Coronavirus Fallout Pushes Down Borrowing Costs

April 21, 2020

Amid the extreme turbulence in financial markets and in people’s everyday lives, the plunge in interest rates that has accompanied the coronavirus pandemic is providing some relief to borrowers.

Navigating Life Under a Homeowners Association Is Tricky in So Many Ways
Real Estate

Navigating Life Under a Homeowners Association Is Tricky in So Many Ways

Kelly ­Richardson | March 30, 2020

To avoid unexpected problems when living under a homeowners association, you have to know what the rules are and how to make them work for you.

Quick Home Sales Are Offered by More Online Firms
Buying & Selling

Quick Home Sales Are Offered by More Online Firms

Stefan Peterson | November 18, 2019

A growing number of companies known as iBuyers are offering to quickly buy homes themselves. But you typically end up with a much lower sale price.

Help Your Adult Child Become a Home Owner
Buying & Selling

Help Your Adult Child Become a Home Owner

October 4, 2019

If your adult child is dreaming of buying a home, here are some steps to take and how you can help him or her.

Have Mortgage Rates Dropped Enough for You to Refinance?
Mortgages

Have Mortgage Rates Dropped Enough for You to Refinance?

Keith ­Gumbinger | September 9, 2019

Here’s how to decide whether sunken mortgage rates make it worthwhile to refinance your home loan.

No-Fee Mortgages May Cost Extra
Mortgages

No-Fee Mortgages May Cost Extra

July 22, 2019

Some mortgage lenders offer $0 origination fees or speedy process, but the loan terms may not be the most attractive.

How to Sell Your Home in a Changing Market
Buying & Selling

How to Sell Your Home in a Changing Market

July 18, 2019

These fix-up, pricing and sales strategies help homeowners appeal to more potential buyers…and make more when they sell.

The Real Estate Market Shifts to Buyers
Buying & Selling

The Real Estate Market Shifts to Buyers

May 17, 2019

Houses are starting to sell for less, so now might be time to buy the home you’ve always dreamed of.