Real Estate

Refinancing a Rental Home

May 16, 2013
Rental Home

Last year, my husband and I looked into the possibility of purchasing a rental home. It seemed like a good time to buy real estate, and we could swing the down payment on a small home in our area. However, despite the fact that we were comfortable with the idea of being landlords and everything [...]

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Is The Housing Bubble Behind Us?

April 3, 2013
housing bubble

One of the leading causes of the great recession was the burst of the housing bubble.  From around 2001 until 2006 housing prices climbed rapidly.  Banks were not as tightly regulated and they were handing out loans to many people who really could not afford the payments.  These people were buying houses that had inflated [...]

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The Rise of the 15-Year Mortgage

February 25, 2013
15 Year Mortgage

The 30-year fixed rate mortgage has long been the standard loan term for homebuyers, and for many good reasons. A 30-year loan helps to keep monthly mortgage payments lower, keeping home ownership (and larger homes) within reach of the average homebuyer. And for years, the slight interest rate improvement offered by the 15-year mortgage was [...]

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Why Investing in Real Estate Makes Sense for Young Professionals

February 14, 2013
House for rent

My best friend, Josh, bought his first home in the summer of 2009. He got a great deal and a low interest rate… and a year after he bought it, he got a pink slip at work. Suddenly, Josh’s big, new house felt like a big, new burden. While the 2,500 square feet had felt [...]

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Beginner’s Guide to Investing in Real Estate

February 5, 2013
Real Estate Investment

From Donald Trump to the Donald Bren, some of the world’s richest people have made their fortunes from real estate investments. Land is one of the most scarce commodities on the planet. There are synthetic substitutes for many metals and alternatives to petrol and coal, but land resources are limited. In an over-crowded world, property [...]

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Does Downsizing Your Home Really Save You Money?

December 24, 2012

If the home you’re living in is harder to afford than when you bought it (either because of a job-loss, lower salary, greater expenses, etc.), you might be considering downsizing. Downsizing seems to be one of those common pieces of advice you hear when you’re trying to save money. It makes sense. Your house is [...]

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When Should You Refinance Your Mortgage?

December 11, 2012

You have seen the news and read it over and over.  Mortgage rates are at all time lows.  There are times when you should refinance, and if your loan meets the criteria, now may be the right time.  However, there are other times when it looks appealing but it is better to just keep making [...]

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5 Home Buying Tips That Matter

December 7, 2012

When it comes to shopping for a house, there are a lot of things to watch out for.  While many people are focused on making sure to get the best deal on their mortgage, or making sure there are no major problems with the house they are purchasing, they often overlook some of the finer [...]

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Should You Pay off Your Mortgage Early?

October 30, 2012

One of the goals of most financially savvy adults is to operate without any debt.  While it is easy to avoid certain types of debt, such as credit card debt; debts such as mortgages and student loans are somewhat necessary to get a boost.  While getting rid of your mortgage will cause you to lose [...]

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Common Home Buying Mistakes

October 4, 2012

Shopping for a new home is one of the most exciting projects you and your family can undertake. With every house you tour, you find yourself imagining what life would be like if that were your new home. Unfortunately, the excitement you feel while looking for your next home can lead you to make some [...]

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