Real Estate & Mortgages Articles

Here are some of the key figures on the current housing market and how you might interpret them.

Spending a little time and money to maintain your home today could save you a lot of time and money in the future.

Take these steps seriously, and you'll have your first "sold" sign up with your savings account still intact.

The cost of buying a home extends beyond the down payment, closing costs and your mortgage. Watch out for these costs.

It's never too early to plan your last will and testament. Find out what steps need to be taken.

These common errors could end in foreclosure.

Find out what you need to prepare to avoid serious estate planning mistakes.

Here's a rundown of how building your own home compares to buying one already built.

If you can't afford property close to home, consider taking the real estate plunge elsewhere in the country.

Here are the cities in the U.S. that offer the best home prices.

You may think it's better to own than rent, but there are many overlooked costs that could change your mind.

Being a "condo person" is just one of the issues you'll have to examine when deciding if a condo is right for you.

History suggests that real estate can provide diversification and a hedge against inflation.

Do you think making two payments a month for your mortgage is a good idea? Think twice about that. We tell you why.

We help you figure out the terminology and types of deeds, and how to make it legal.

Remember to research thoroughly and look for a contingency plan before buying your first home.

We provide top tips on how to help sell your home in a rough market.

Create a valuation system to forecast the profitability of an income-producing property.

This step is important when purchasing a property because it may save you thousands.

If you're unhappy with your home appraisal, here are some steps you can take.

If you're in a pinch for money, you're the prime target for con artists and thieves.

Here are some tips to help you make sure you don't fall victim to these real estate pitfalls.

There are many home ownership tax deductions you can take advantage of. Here are some of the ones you need to know about.

Converted schoolhouses, box bungalows and cohousing are just three places you can reside other than a typical house, condo or apartment.

Renting out a portion of your home to help pay the mortgage sounds like a great idea, but it doesn't always work out the way you planned.

Look for factors that influence supply and demand and you might be able to predict which way housing prices will trend.

Couples have certain advantages over individuals when it comes this purchase. Be sure to look at your future home as an investment.

Discvover how many months of taxes you need in an escrow account, and how you'll need to fund the account at closing.

Find out how a reverse mortgage can work in your favor during retirement.

This costly coverage protects your mortgage lender - not you.

While there are less risky places from which to borrow, there are also predatory lenders who can make your financial situation worse than it was to begin with.

Check out the details of the recent mortgage settlement and see who the agreement will affect.

Home sales continue to struggle. Now more than ever, you need a good agent to help you sell your home. Here's why.

There's a pilot program in the works to have more rental properties. Read on to see how you can get in on it.

Using these strategies will help you get more cash when selling your house.

These tips can help you reduce taxes on your estate and ensure that your last wishes are closely met.

If you're fortunate enough to receive an inheritance at all, it might not be nearly as large as you expect.

If you have an interest in real estate, read on to find out which type of property you have.

The unique tax advantages offered by these investments can translate into superior yields.

Your credit score will play a large role in the type of mortgage you are able to get.

Remember these signs of unscrupulous lending when shopping for your mortgage.

Here are the factors you need to look at to determine whether moving to a new area will leave you with more money on a regular basis.

While losing a home can be a traumatic event for you and your family, it's best to find ethical means of delaying or avoiding foreclosure, even if it takes more time.

Learn the key features of three subcategories of equity REITs: industrial, multifamily and hotel REITs.

Empty homes in your neighborhood aren't just eyesores - they can affect the value of your property.

Discover if banks and real estate will pay investors back for their pain this year.

Learn about nonpossessory interests and the various forms of encumbrances.

Many homeowners and investors dream of owning vacation property. Here are some tips to make it happen.

A cat received $13 million dollars when her owner died, but she isn't the richest pet in the world.

Investing in income-generating real estate involves market data and a degree of subjectivity.

Real estate bargains abound, but is buying a distressed property more trouble than it's worth?

The FHA says it's operating in the black, but reports say otherwise. If it goes bankrupt, what will the repercussions be?

Some things can get in the way of owning your dream home, but they don't have to.

If you're a homeowner, this is one item you want to understand and use on your return.

Here is a review of current economic factors and price trends that suggest the bottom has not yet been reached in the housing market.

If you've inherited an IRA or any other retirement account, we tell you what deadlines you need to be aware of.

Co-op investors can often be penalized for other people's actions. Read on to learn about the most common types of co-op default.

Here is a realistic look at the "American Dream," based on your potential instead of an impossible ideal.

A home equity line of credit is a convenient way to borrow money. But, there are things to be cautious about before you get into trouble.

Understanding what your insurance covers can be confusing. Learn what almost all insurance policies have in common.

With the economy still struggling, we look at homeowners, retirees and students to see who will be most affected by debt next year.

Real estate can be a highly effective wealth building tool. Learn how to increase your chances of success.

If you're thinking about purchasing a home with an FHA loan, here are some standards that must be met for the deal to go through.

This insurance has an edge over private mortgage insurance. Find out why.

Mortgage payments aren't the only expense. Find what else you'll be on the hook for.

Answering this means number-crunching as well as factoring in other considerations and expenses.

Calculating return on real estate investments can be difficult. We help you figure it out.

If you're looking to save some money when selling your home, negotiating your agent's commission is a good way to do it.

Mortgage lenders don't factor the extra costs into your loan amount. Make sure you save for the "little" things.

Even in today's real estate market, the benefits to owning over renting are huge. Here are some tax benefits that come with home ownership.

Buying a home may be the biggest debt you'll ever incur. Learn why you should retire it sooner, rather than later.

If your home won't sell, you have other options. We tell you about five of them.

Emerging Asian markets are on a building tear. Countries in the region have focused on providing the housing, infrastructure and commercial buildings needed for the millions of new urbanites that flock to the cities from the countryside each year.

Old age can make dealing with finances difficult. Find out how you can help aging parents manage their finances and estates.

There has been a lot of negativity over the real estate sector since 2008. Here are the reasons why you should be investing in it.

These tips can help you avoid financial risk, and are especially important during an economic slowdown.

As a first time buyer, there is much to consider. Here we have a look at some of the factors that may influence your decision, and suggest which factors are worth taking a second look at.

Renting seems like the perfect way to mitigate the costs of an extra home that won’t sell; the intended course of action when a property was purchased for an unbelievable price, or many of the other reasons that people become landlords. Although it seems like a fail-proof plan on the surface, becoming a landlord can be a financially and mentally rewarding experience, or it could be the source of a large-scale loss of time and money.

Find out how the government evaluates your land, what your options are and how to get the most from it.

Learn what you need to do to turn your property into a rental property.

Forming and managing a homeowners association is a huge task with significant responsibilities and major implications.

Affordable mortgages are still available, but the standards for qualifying have gotten higher.

If you want to cash out, make sure you’re doing it for the right reasons.

Assuming you have enough equity to qualify, taking out a HELOC might be a good financial move.

Don't let a slow real estate market drag you down - steer clear of these pitfalls.

Estate planning for same-sex couples requires extra effort and legal assistance.

Follow this step-by-step guide to make your homeownership dreams a reality.

If you go into default on your mortgage payments, don't worry, there are still ways to save your home.

Buying property in the U.S. can be a difficult process. Buying internationally can be even worse, especially in these four countries.

A certain number of errors is understandable given the volume of foreclosures and repossessions handled by lenders, but many were simply administrative errors.

Don't let buying a home bust your budget. Make sure the house you choose is worth the price you pay.

There is a legal way to get a house for free - if you're willing to spend the time and effort.

Don't put the sale of your home at risk by committing one of these dirty deeds.

Learn how to buy a foreclosed home at a discount.

Fall is an important transition season for home improvement projects. With the cold of winter coming, getting the house and yard prepared will save you money in the long run.

If you're trying to improve the value of your home, these home renovation projects are your best bets.

Real estate and infrastructure are important sectors for risk-averse investors.