Despite the tragic massacre in Las Vegas where 59 people died during a concert this fall, big money is continuing to flow into the housing market there.... more
Parents who want to help their offspring buy their first houses should make sure the kids fully understand what Mom and Dad expect in return. According to a poll this spring, parents and kids don’t al... more
Folks who are moving often hold garage sales to get rid of their unwanted stuff. But after that, they’re usually in a quandary: What do we do with the rest of the things we no longer want or need?... more
A good number of buyers have been robbing their piggy banks lately, hoping that paying cash will help them beat out the competition for any decent houses still left on the market.... more
Building sites for single-family houses hit a record high last year, even as lots were the smallest ever, according to data from the Census Bureau’s Survey of Construction.... more
If your house is damaged in a fire, hurricane, flood or other disaster, you should call your insurance company first thing. But after that, call your local appraiser’s office.... more
More than 1 million senior homeowners have now taken out reverse mortgages. There’s a good chance you might, too, once you reach age 62. But the question of how to use the money from the loan is just ... more
Natural disasters rarely come with a warning. With the exception of hurricanes, most disasters sneak up on you. But there is plenty you can do to protect yourself and your family should a flood, fire,... more
Federal mortgage agencies Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac have long been tasked by Congress with serving areas that don’t get much attention from the private sector. And that could help you get a home loan... more
There’s no doubt that buying a house is an expensive proposition. Anybody who goes into the process thinking otherwise is in for a rude awakening.... more
Finding and evaluating a home improvement contractor is a difficult process. Do it right, and you will be happy with the work. But do it wrong, and your project could be a nightmare.... more
It’s always best to come in first when it comes to buying a house. But if the seller accepts another buyer’s offer on the house you want, there’s nothing wrong with coming in second.... more
The farm-to-table movement, first popularized by restaurants and grocery stores wishing to showcase the freshness of their local ingredients and produce, is slowly gaining credence in residential real... more
Lenders continue to work overtime in their efforts to reach more borrowers by introducing “new” mortgages. But these loans often have a tinge of the old subprime products that helped devastate the hou... more
Selling a house is complicated enough. But when the house is being rented and occupied by a tenant, the degree of difficulty is compounded exponentially.... more
Millennials, the population cohort whose members were practically born with electronic devices in their hands, are generally considered the most likely to finance a house through a totally automated p... more
Write a love letter about the house. Add favorable clauses to the contract. Forego any contingencies. These are often cited as tactics that can help you triumph in a bidding war. But there are other w... more
Nowadays, you can get a mortgage any way you want it: You can apply online or in person. You can apply online, then jump off the internet to talk to a real, live person anytime you want. Or you can st... more