By

Paul Barranco
Certain pillars of adulthood feel more achievable than others: finally learning how to hang a gallery wall, say, or flossing. Homeownership, on the other hand, remains a pipe dream so bewildering that the mere idea is as unrealistic as joining the ranks of people who know where to find the “portico.” (In the bathroom, right?...
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Shopping for a house is stressful. You’re trying to find the best home, in the best area, for the best price. Making your budget match your wish list is overwhelming, but take heart. It’s not about finding the perfect house; it’s about finding a house you can make into a safe, comfortable home that isn’t...
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If you can’t move, renovate. Fast-rising home prices and a record-low number of homes for sale have a lot of homeowners choosing to stay put — and put in a new bathroom or update the kitchen. Higher home values also mean they have more cash to take out of their homes. With mortgage rates so...
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Student loans are a stumbling block for many young Americans interested in homeownership. In many cases, these loans increase their debt-to-income ratio to a point where they can’t qualify for a mortgage. Others may simply be unwilling to take on a mortgage while paying back student loans. But some people have taken the plunge into...
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One of the rights US citizens have is to bequeath their property to others. The right of inheritance applies to all property, including even properties with mortgages attached to them. For those inheriting a mortgaged property, though, a number of questions and concerns invariably pop up, including whether the mortgage can be assumed. Additionally, people...
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Maybe you’re thinking of remodeling your kitchen. Or maybe you’re planning to put your house on the market in the spring. You want to spruce up your place but need to be wise with your cash. How do you determine which home updates will maximize the return on your investment? According to a recent Cost...
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Make Sure You’re Pre-Approved Before Looking at Homes If you are a first time home buyer or have been renting for quite a while, one of the most important first steps in your quest for home ownership is getting pre-approved for a mortgage. The pre-approval indicates to the person you will be buying the home...
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When applying for a mortgage, you shouldn’t do anything that will cause a bank to question your ability to repay the loan. You don’t need perfect finances to get a mortgage, but it’s in your best interest to have a basic understanding of loan requirements. The more you know, the less likely you are to...
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Sarah Rae Smith We’ve learned the hard way that there are some very important things that should be checked before signing the papers to buy a new home. Of course, you’ll have a professional do an inspection and look over the place to make sure the home is termite and flood damage free, but these...
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Kelsey Ramirez 2017 is now officially over and 2018 has begun. As the year comes into full swing, many experts continue to give their predictions for the housing market during the new year. American Enterprise Institute’s Center on Housing Markets and Finance Co-director Edward Pinto gave four points he expects to see from the housing...
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