Ask the expert
We are taking our first mortgage and trying to decide between a 15-year and a 30-year. What are the advantages of each? The choice between a 15-year…
Category: Real Estate
An upgrade that says ‘welcome!’
Compared to other updates you can make on your house, a beautiful front door doesn’t cost that much, but it does give a cheerful welcome to guests and…
Ask the Expert: How do student loans affect the ability to get a mortgage?
How do student loans affect my ability to get a mortgage? How do student loans affect the ability to get a mortgage? Your student loans don’t necessarily…
Eight ideas to give your offer the edge
If you want yours to be the best-looking offer on the list, here are eight ideas to dress it up. 1. Make the right money offer. The best offer is, first…
The dizzy real estate market
If you are watching the real estate market lately and trying to decide whether to buy or sell, you may feel a little dizzy. Sales are up. Then down. The…
Ask the Expert
We’re talking to mortgage companies about financing a new home. What do all those letters stand for? It’s true that there are many abbreviated terms in a…
Ask the Expert: Are there any new home buying programs out there?
If you’ve never owned a house, or haven’t owned one in three years, a new Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) mortgage discount program, launched in…
Are sellers now courting buyers?
Home sellers have been in the real estate driver’s seat for some time, since there was more demand for homes than homes available to buy. However, as 2023…
Home warranties can be useful when selling
A home warranty can be a useful tool if you want to sweeten a deal for a potential buyer. Home warranties are not the same as homeowners insurance…
Ask the expert
What does Private Mortgage Insurance do for me when I buy a house? Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI) is required when a homebuyer makes a down payment…