Maybe it was an investment project that you now have neither the time nor inclination to see through to the end. Or maybe it’s a less-then-pristine house you inherited and don’t want to pay taxes and insurance on. Whatever the case, you now have a fixer-upper on your hands that you need to sell fast. … Continued
Selling your house to a friend or family member can be a pleasant, smooth transaction . . . or it can be a painful, enemy-making disaster. Keep in mind that you will be transferring ownership of your most valuable asset, one that you may have strong emotional ties to from living there for years. And … Continued
Since as far back as Aristotle, we’ve known the importance of asking the right questions to get the answers we need. And that applies to real estate just as much as it does to philosophy. The answer most of us need, whether we’re buying or selling, is the answer to this one question: Which agent … Continued
Home sellers often need to hire contractors for repairs, renovations, or even major remodels, especially in the wake of a major natural disaster like a hurricane or tornado. It’s in these situations especially that homeowners are susceptible to a contractor scam. For example, contractor scammers bilked people in New Jersey out of millions after the … Continued
Whether you’re hiring a mechanic, a barber, or a brain surgeon, you want the best you can get, one who will do the job well. And it’s no different when you need a real estate agent, whether you are buying or selling a home. Not only do you need an agent who knows real estate … Continued
In a perfect world, consumers – especially those engaging in very large transactions like buying or selling real estate – would never have to worry about being scammed. But we don’t live in a perfect world, far from it. The sad fact is that criminals are getting savvier by the day with respect to targeting … Continued
Being in the real estate investment business involves more than knowing when, where, and how to buy investment properties that will yield a good ROI. Another important part of it is having a good exit strategy, that is, knowing when and how to liquidate your assets in [market city]. Personal circumstances, business strategies, and market … Continued
Many recent college graduates today have given up on the American dream of homeownership because they are saddled with student loan payments and are just starting out in their careers. In fact, one survey found that 43% of college graduates with student loan debt say they have postponed buying a house because of that debt. Even … Continued
Your body, your home, your car, your pets, your fishing gear, everything you own really – these all need and deserve regular checkups and routine maintenance. After your body, your home is the most important thing on this list because it is the most expensive and the place where you live. Neglect the maintenance, and … Continued
A cloudy title (or cloud on a title) can stop a real estate sale dead in its tracks. Typically, a cloud on the title is discovered during the title search and is any document, claim, unreleased lien, or other encumbrance that could make the title doubtful or invalidate/impair the title to the property. Basically, if … Continued