Real Estate and Mortgages Articles

Owning a home is much more expensive than renting. Here are the places where the costs differ greatly.

From REITs to owning your own home, find out how diversify your portfolio with real estate assets.

These instruments provide exposure to the real estate market without having to buy and sell property.

Some modern real estate purchases may seem overly expensive, but they are nowhere close to the priciest land deals in history.

Larry Ellison and Richard Branson are just two of the people who bought their own private islands.

Here are three simple questions you should consider when weighing this decision.

Short-term renting is not for everyone. Significant risks to opening up your home to strangers may outweigh the inflow of cash.

When renting an apartment, a security or damage deposit is almost always required. Here are some tips to help you avoid unforeseen circumstances and get your money back in its entirety when you move out.

When a young adult moves back home it can be beneficial for their finances and their parents'.

You're nearing retirement age and you don't have the nest egg you need. Here's how an income property can help you make up the shortfall.

Consider the many expenses and possible advantages associated with Greek life before joining a sorority or fraternity.

Learn some simple, yet effective tips for saving money in your college years.

Downsizing your home can be a great step towards less financial stress, and leave you more time for family and travel

Here's a rundown of the specific tax rules that apply to homeowners renting out a vacation property.

Here's a rundown of how much investors need to get started in real estate investing.

Here are the best spots in America to buy a summer home, based on price, exclusivity and other enticing features.

Discover the risks and rewards of investing in real estate funds, as well as some of the best and worst performers.

This arrangement allows beneficiaries to access your account without having to go to court.

Here are some useful tips to help you find an apartment that's affordable and livable.

Investing in rental property can generate serious income, but there's more to it than collecting rent.

Is this an investing option you should consider? Find out here.

For savvy real estate investors, times of lower prices reveal investment opportunity.

Find out why this job more closely resembles the role of a CEO than an asset manager.

Many countries can help you establish a path towards residency. Before you move, read this article first.

This property market is easy to access and provides profitable opportunities.

Even in a down market, local real estate properties have inefficiencies that investors can exploit.

Anyone involved in a real transaction can benefit from gaining a basic understanding of the different methods of real estate valuation.

We look at some people who own private islands, and give you tips for making a massive purchase like this.

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.

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

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

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

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.

Discover five areas of the travel and tourism market that could prove lucrative from an investing standpoint.

Four major players slice and dice your mortgage in the secondary market.

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

Before you make the leap into post-secondary, remember these important factors and handle them accordingly.

College tuition is getting more expensive, textbooks are increasing in price and for-profit schools are popping up.

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

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.

Find out how you can build wealth and reduce your taxes.

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?

Renters insurance is vital to your well-being. Here are some reasons why you can't go without it.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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

Find out about a safe investing alternative that could have prevented the subprime meltdown.

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

The S&P is generally respected, but several missteps have damaged the company's reputation.

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

Here are some instances where staycations or other options may end up costing you more. How can you avoid these money-blowing blunders?

If you have extra space in your house, why not rent it out, especially during the school term, to help pay the mortgage?

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

These areas make for very poor investment choices right now.

Test your money management skills as you work your way through university.

Businesses often prefer to lease rather than purchase properties, in order to avoid tying up cash.

With New York City not even making the top 10, you'll be surprised to learn what cities have the most expensive rent.

Major cracks are beginning to surface within the Chinese real estate market.

Avoid being left behind as REITs expand beyond U.S. borders.

This real estate investment provides unique advantages - and challenges.

Learning these concepts is the first step in getting into the real estate investment game.

Find out how to get the life you want on the paycheck you have now.

Saving enough to buy a vacation home involves some unique considerations including a big down payment and more lending hurdles.

Find out if the house you're eyeing is really a good deal.

These futures are intended for institutional use, but retail investors looking to speculate on prices can benefit as well.

From carrying costs to investment risk, there's a lot to consider before you invest in real estate.

A bad landlord can ruin the best rental property. Find out how to find an honest landlord that you can rely on.

These calculations can help you figure out if a particular property will be a valuable investment.

Find out what factors you should weigh when searching for income-producing real estate.

Securitized assets are customizable and have a wide range of yields, making them an attractive asset class.

Find out about the adverse trade-offs that come with getting a bargain on a vacation home.

Learn tips for making your retirement travels affordable and enjoyable.

REITs are much like dividend-paying companies, but analyzing them requires consideration of the accounting treatment of property.

Countries outside of the U.S. are showing definite signs of housing bubbles - but which will be the first to pop?

Make sure you know what your real estate investment is worth before you sign the ownership papers.

Condo fees and special assessments scare many owners away from condo ownership, but is this fear justified?

Landlords are looking for specific factors that are perceived to make up good tenants - do you fit the profile?

There are many factors to consider when comparing buying to renting. Learn more here.

Even a 1% reduction in real estate commissions can save you thousands of dollars.

Sometimes a "bad" market can be the best thing for you.

When these indicators align, it is a good bet that a real estate recovery is on the way.

Your new car may not hold its value as well as that old collectible toy you kept in perfect condition. Find out which purchases will still be worth something in the years to come.