When you are in the process of purchasing a home, a survey is often conducted. A survey determines precise property lines, and discovers any possible neighbor encroachments on the property, enabling the buyer to understand the exact property being purchased. Land surveys are conducted by surveyors who consult the property’s deed, and then walk the land, taking measurements and creating a “map” of...

Is your backyard dull and uninspired? Could it use a little pizzazz, not to mention a place to put a barbecue grill and some stylish lounge chairs? Consider adding a patio that you create yourself! Not only will you have a gorgeous outdoor space; you’ll also have the glorious satisfaction of knowing you created something useful and fantastic with your own hands. Home improvement stores have all...

Many home inspectors are generalists. They’re very good at what they inspect, but they typically have a predetermined list of areas they’ll inspect and they try not to deviate from that list. But each home, of course, is unique and may have particular features that deserve special attention. Or your primary inspector may raise a red flag and suggest you get an expert to take a closer look. With...

It’s a painful subject but one that can’t be ignored: recession. When the economy slows down, for whatever reason, including a global pandemic, millions suffer. Many people lose their jobs and many may be forced to make difficult decisions. One of those decisions may be whether it’s the right time to sell your home. If you’re experiencing financial difficulty due to an economic contraction,...

Mortgage rates — the amount of money a lending agency charges you to borrow their money to finance the purchase of a home — can fluctuate wildly. The higher your mortgage or interest rate, the more money you’re paying to the bank to loan you money. The interest you pay on your loan, of course, is money that is not going toward paying down the principal balance of your loan. It’s just going to...

With unemployment at near-record levels, many Americans are struggling to keep up with their mortgage payments. What many may not know, however, is that homeowners have options when it comes to keeping their home even during tough times. Banks and lenders may not be as forthcoming as they should be when it comes to helping their customers understand the solutions that are available to homeowners going...

Though we’re living in uncertain times, some things are more concrete and actually quite certain. The need to buy or sell a home falls into that category. Even in a pandemic, life goes on, and situations that require an urgent real estate transaction — a job change or a sudden need for multi-generational living, for example — may arise. Or it could be that a move was long planned, and with the...

Do You Know About Forbearance? It Might Just Save Your Home As the global economy is strained by the COVID-19 pandemic, many Americans find themselves out of work or having to get by on reduced incomes. This means lots of people are struggling to pay their mortgages — a position no one wants to be in. Banks, however, have systems and programs in place to address these situations. “Forbearance”...

Selling your home is likely one of the biggest transactions you’ll ever be involved with, both in terms of dollars and significance. It’s a momentous occasion that should be handled with the utmost care and attention. And while you might be tempted to utilize an online discount broker or perhaps even handle the transaction yourself, there are many reasons you’ll be better off enlisting the...

Some real estate shoppers might find the condo vs. freestanding house dilemma a tricky one. Condominiums, in most cases, are apartment-like housing units — with shared walls — that are independently owned. Condo owners share common areas — lobby, pool, etc. — with other residents of the building, but from a real estate perspective, they own their own units. Each type of home has its advantages,...