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photo credit: ryanrumsey

To refinance or not to refinance, that is the question. If you have a fixed rate mortgage then it’s easy to tell if the current purchase rates are better than they where when you locked in to your loan. If you have an adjustable rate mortgage or ARM, then you’re rate is changing and probably on the rise, but it’s a good idea to check with a financial planner to see what their take on the future trends is. (more…)

photo credit: blakespot

If you’re renting a home and you don’t have renter’s insurance then you’ll want to pick up the phone right now and make a call to your local insurance agent. Renter’s insurance is an incredible bargain and can save you thousands of dollars and is actually pretty cheap. (more…)

photo credit: mjmonty

With all the devastating weather that’s been hitting the Midwest it’s hard to believe so many people have lost everything and don’t have any flood insurance. But many people don’t carry a flood policy and feel quite justified in this decision, and many of them are actually right not to carry the policy. If you live in a high risk area then you definitely should pick up a policy. If you live in a very low risk area, then you might want to weigh the cost of the added insurance policy against your risks and calculate your possible damages in the equation. But whatever you decide, make sure you consider both your primary residence and any additional properties you may own, even undeveloped land purchases. (more…)

photo credit: roarofthefour

One of the greatest benefits of owning a home is that you can use the home as collateral when you need to get a loan for expenses in your life. Most commonly this is done to cover large expenses such as repairs to the home or payment of college tuition for the kids although the funds can be used for anything. There are pros and cons to getting a home equity loan and there are different types of home equity loans to get so it’s important to understand the loans carefully before applying for them. Following you’ll find some basic information about these loans to assist you in gaining that understanding. (more…)

photo credit: the_toe_stubber

Any savvy consumer knows that it’s important to get a free copy of his credit report each year in order to make sure that the credit information is up to date and that there have been no problems related to identity theft. Even those people who fail to follow this basic common-sense rule about monitoring credit will come up against times that require them to get a copy of their credit report, such as when they apply for a home mortgage. These papers that reveal your financial status are important - and they can also be really confusing for the average person to understand. (more…)

photo credit: desi.italy

Most home purchases are not entirely straight forward with a dollar amount being the end all of the negotiations. Most people add some contingencies to secure they are getting exactly what they bargained for. Some home sale contracts require inspections or repairs within a set number of days or the deal will not be finalized. (more…)

photo credit: Chad Jones - Gold Coast Real Tours

So you’ve found the house that you love and now its time to make an offer. In some states you simply have to set your price, in other states you need to complete a pretty thorough form. You’ll have to find out what your state requires, if you have a Realtor or a real estate attorney helping you out they will know all the ins and outs of your local requirements. If they don’t then, its time to give them the boot. (more…)

credit: salendron

The people who work in the casinos in Las Vegas were beginning to think that they could finally invest in real estate property. After all, housing prices in Vegas have dropped considerably but the tourist flow continues to bring money to the employees who work in the city. However, the dream of home ownership for those Vegas Strip employees was dealt a crushing blow as the result of a recent decision by the State Assembly. (more…)

credit: Burning Image

An interesting article over at Bigger Pockets recently drew a connection between the increasing cost of gas and the faltering housing economy. In short, it pointed out that as more and more of your money goes to the gas tank, you have less money to invest in real estate property (and to pay the mortgages on already-purchased homes). The author also noted that the cost of housing construction is on the rise as a direct result of the fact that building companies have to spend more money on gas when transporting materials and laborers to job sites.

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credit: VisitMyLuxuryHome.com

If you’re going to make the sometimes-risky investment in real estate, you should make sure that you protect your purchase and your new property with the right type of insurance. The type of insurance that you’ll get depends on what your involvement is with the home (whether it’s your primary residence or a rental property) and whether you desire any additional or extended insurance.

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