Monthly Archives: August 2016
Why Is There So Much Paperwork to Sign to Get a Mortgage?
We are often asked why there is so much paperwork mandated by the bank for a mortgage loan application when buying a home today. It seems that the bank needs to know everything about us and requires three separate sources to validate each and every entry on the application form. Many buyers are being told by friends and... Read More
Don’t Get Caught in the Rental Trap!
There are many benefits to homeownership. One of the top ones is being able to protect yourself from rising rents and lock in your housing cost for the life of your mortgage. Don’t Become Trapped Jonathan Smoke, Chief Economist at realtor.com, reported on what he calls a “Rental Affordability Crisis.” He warns that, “Low rental... Read More
10 THINGS YOU HAVEN’T THOUGHT OF THAT’LL MAKE YOUR MOVE EASIER
Moving is one of the most stressful activities there is. It’s true – experts put it right up there with getting married – and divorced – and remodeling a house. If you’re getting ready to move or are in the process of buying or selling a house, you may have been thinking about the unpacking... Read More
UNDERSTANDING ADVERSE POSSESSION
There is an ancient legal concept in the law known as “adverse possession.” If we go back to our history books, this is also known as “squatters rights.” The theory of the doctrine of adverse possession is that the person who holds or uses property adversely against the rightful owner should ultimately be entitled to... Read More
SHOULD YOU COSIGN ON YOUR KID’S MORTGAGE? THE CRUCIAL QUESTIONS TO ASK YOURSELF
If your child is looking to buy a house and can’t qualify on their own, you may have thought about consigning on a loan. “It can be a brutal world out there, and you want to help someone you care about. That’s a perfectly reasonable argument,” said US News. But have you examined the potential... Read More
Luxury Home Sales & the Impact of the Stock Market
In a recent post, CoreLogic looked at the correlation between stocks and the sales of upper-end properties ($1 Million+ sales price). The report revealed: “The powerful ‘wealth effects’ generated by the rapid rise in equities between 2009 and 2015 drove a large rise in the sales of homes that sold for $1 million or more.... Read More
A DANGER IN EVERY ROOM: COMMON HOUSEHOLD HAZARDS
Your home should be a sanctuary, the one place you and your family can take refuge in at the end of a long day or week. Cozy, comfortable, and safe, the house should be the oven in which fond memories are baked. Unfortunately, everyday objects can turn your precious, safe haven into a house of... Read More
Real Estate Values Today Compared to Pre-2008 Peak
This housing market has many people talking about home values; where they are and where they are headed. It’s also interesting to look back and see how home prices compare to values prior to the housing crisis. Every quarter, Freddie Mac releases their House Price Index. The index usually provides monthly home values for: the... Read More
HOW TO BEAT SELLERS’ STRESS
Three things are certain in life: death, taxes … and undue stress caused by moving. Whether or not you use the services of a Realtor to help you wade through the uncertain waters of the buy-and-sell process, moving is stressful, period. And there’s not much you can do to avoid it. And we’re not just... Read More
Buying Remains 36% Cheaper than Renting!
In the latest Rent vs. Buy Report from Trulia, they explained that homeownership remains cheaper than renting with a traditional 30-year fixed rate mortgage in the 100 largest metro areas in the United States. The updated numbers actually show that the range is an average of 5% less expensive in Orange County (CA) all the way up to... Read More
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