There’s no doubt that a strong credit score makes it easier to secure a mortgage with favorable terms when buying a house. The higher your credit score, the lower you can expect your interest rates to be, which can translate to significant savings over the life of your loan. A damaged credit score, on the […]
A Better Credit Score Leads to a Better Interest Rate Read More »
Spot these common trouble spots and repair them. Getting ready for a home inspection is one of the more nerve-wracking things about selling your home. The good news is that you don’t have to wait until after the inspection to fix some of the most common trouble spots. There are certain spots in a home
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Finding a buyer for your home is just the first step on the homeselling path. Tread carefully in the weeks ahead because if you make one of these common seller mistakes, your deal may not close. Mistake #1: Ignore Contingencies If your contract requires you to do something before the sale, do it. If the
Top 5 Tips to Keep Your Home Sale from Falling Apart Read More »
So, what do you do when it’s time to sell your current green home and find a new one? The good news is that green homes are popular, and all of those energy efficient upgrades can add real value when it’s time to sell. You’ll find environmentally conscious shoppers in every market, especially if you
Listing and Selling Your Green Home Read More »
Here are the tax tips you need to get a jump on your returns. Owning a home can pay off at tax time. Take advantage of these home ownership-related tax deductions and strategies to lower your tax bill: Mortgage Interest Deduction One of the neatest deductions itemizing homeowners can take advantage of is the mortgage
Are You Getting the Home Tax Deductions You’re Entitled To? Read More »
Home buyers get a host of tax benefits that renters don’t — critical deductions that can lower your overall tax bill. But how much do homeowners really save on their taxes? Using 2012 IRS data, the most recent available, we calculated that a homeowner who took the average for each of four tax benefits would
Tax Advantages Homeowners Get That Renters Don’t Read More »
Side gigs or roomies can help shave years off your debt. Lenders like that. This article was contributed by financial expert and blogger Lauren Bowling, a recognized thought leader in the millennial finance space. A full-time online business owner, Bowling teaches others how to master their finances and create their own economy via her body
Student Loan Debt Can Delay Home Ownership 7 Years Read More »
Umbrella insurance offers added homeowner liability protection that kicks in after homeowners insurance reaches its coverage limits. Accidents happen at home: A visitor trips on your front steps, or a neighbor cleaning your gutters falls off a ladder. As the property owner, you can be held legally liable. Standard homeowners insurance typically offers some liability
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Wintry weather is great at turning up problems you didn’t even know you had. Like that first snowy night in front of your fireplace that you thought was pure bliss — until you noticed a leak in the ceiling corner, which apparently was caused by a lack of insulation. How were you supposed to know
7 Mistakes That Cost Homeowners BIG Money During Cold Weather Read More »
Whether you’re a real estate pro or not, it’s a good idea to hire an attorney for an additional set of eyes when purchasing your property. When things go smoothly — and they usually do — the amount of time the attorney works is generally minimal. When things go wrong, having a lawyer familiar enough to handle any legal
Do You Really Need a Real Estate Lawyer? Read More »
