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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…
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…