Ask the Expert: How should I finance home renovations?
Inevitably, all homeowners need to make home improvements — a roof or flooring, for example, or even a big project such as adding a bedroom. So, as you…
Category: Real Estate
How long do Christmas decorations stay up?
You put so much time into decorating that tree and hanging garlands — seems a shame to take it all down in a month. But most people do. According to a…
Ask the Expert
We’ve been looking at investment properties. What are the pros and cons of a duplex, triplex or fourplex? You are wise to consider all investments…
How to make your home purchase go smoothly
Real estate deals falling through can be a frustrating experience for home buyers. In fact, statistics show that approximately 10 percent of real estate…
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We are shopping for our first house — what is the difference between pre-qualified and pre-approved for a mortgage? When it comes to shopping for a…
Home styles are changing and rooms are on the chopping block
Formal living rooms — those special places from which kids and pets were barred — have been on the decline for years and have largely gone the way of a…
Ask the Expert: How does the closing process work on a mortgage?
Closing is that fine day on which the ownership of a house (the title) transfers from seller to buyer. Before that, a number of things have to happen: 1….
The baby boomer dilemma: Should you sell and rent?
A lot of baby boomers — people born between 1946 and 1964 — have made up their minds. About 85 percent tell researchers they are holding on to their…
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I am self-employed and my lender tells me I will require a non-qualified mortgage. How is that different than a qualified mortgage? Qualified mortgages…
If it’s your first castle, don’t go for that soaring turret
It’s easy to get excited buying your first home. You’ve been busy cutting debt, building your credit score, and finally you have enough cash for a down…