Real Estate – Money Crashers

How Homeownership Affects Your Credit Score

Brian Martucci — Mon, 28 Aug 2023 17:00:00 +0000

The impacts of a mortgage appear as soon as you apply and continue until you sell or make your final payment. That’s why it’s important to understand exactly how homeownership affects your credit score and what you can do to minimize the potential negatives.

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8 Ways to Improve Your Credit Score After a Foreclosure

Brian Martucci — Thu, 27 Jul 2023 15:45:00 +0000

The worst part about foreclosure is losing your house, but the indirect financial fallout is pretty bad too. A foreclosure can cause your credit score to drop by 100 to 200 points, with much of the damage coming in the first two or three months after you first fall behind on your mortgage. If that’s

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24 Most Affordable Cities to Live in for Renters – Find Cheap Housing

Brian Martucci — Mon, 24 Jul 2023 21:00:00 +0000

How much your apartment costs depends a great deal on where you live. Low-rent U.S. cities tend to be located in the Midwest, Mountain West, and South, where apartments remain affordable. Read on to learn the most affordable U.S. cities for renters to live in, and where you can find cheap housing.

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Renting vs. Buying a House – How to Make a Decision, Pros & Cons

Brian Martucci — Wed, 14 Jun 2023 19:20:00 +0000

Given the hefty upfront costs associated with purchasing a home, most young people begin their independent lives renting an apartment. As they build careers, save money, and start families, many choose to buy a home. On the other end of the age spectrum, homeowners nearing retirement may choose to sell their family homes, downsize, and become renters once

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16 Home Improvement Projects That Help Reduce Homeownership Costs

Brian Martucci — Tue, 06 Jun 2023 01:00:00 +0000

The age-old debate over the relative merits of renting or buying a home rages on. It’s doubtful that a definitive settlement is on the horizon. There are simply too many variables at play and too many unique factors affecting individual homeowners’ situations. But one thing is for sure: renting and homeownership both come with their fair share

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Buying an Old House? – Common Problems, Hidden Costs & Benefits

Brian Martucci — Sat, 27 May 2023 12:00:00 +0000

Older homes tend to feature a charm and character you just can’t find in new construction homes. But they also offer their share of problems. If you’re considering buying an older home, read on to learn the problems you might encounter, how to solve them, and why it might be worth doing so.

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10 Best Cities to Buy a Home – Buyer’s Markets in the United States

Brian Martucci — Tue, 23 May 2023 22:02:00 +0000

Buyer's markets have relatively affordable prices, selling price discounts, and a comparatively slow pace of home sales. This is a list of the top buyer's markets in the United States right now.

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Where Should I Live? – 14 Factors to Help You Decide the Best Place

Brian Martucci — Tue, 23 May 2023 21:25:00 +0000

Relocating is an overwhelming prospect, even when the move is entirely voluntary. It’s that much more intense when you’re up against a deadline, like your first day at a new job or the start of the school year. Few endeavors demand as many rapid-fire decisions — or invite as much second-guessing. One thing you definitely

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How to Calculate Debt-to-Income Ratio for a Mortgage or Loan

Brian Martucci — Thu, 20 Apr 2023 21:20:00 +0000

Your debt-to-income ratio is the percentage of your monthly income that goes toward debt payments. While the math is easy, knowing what to put in the formula isn’t as simple. Learn how to calculate your debt-to-income ratio to keep tabs on how attractive you are to lenders.

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15 Best Cities to Buy a Rental Property for Investment in 2024

G. Brian Davis — Wed, 04 Jan 2023 11:00:00 +0000

“I want to buy a rental property, but the numbers don’t work in the city where I live.” It’s a common conundrum for would-be rental investors. Affordability and returns on rentals in metropolitan coastal cities tend to be poor, yet that’s where many aspiring rental investors live. Fortunately, it’s easier than ever to buy rental

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How to Gift a House to a Family Member in a Tax-Efficient Manner

G. Brian Davis — Thu, 29 Dec 2022 18:00:00 +0000

Want to transfer your house or investment property to a family member? Expect the legal question of how to deed a property to your children to quickly become a tax question about how to minimize gift taxes, capital gains taxes, and estate taxes. Learn how to navigate these complex issues.

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What Is a VA Home Loan – Mortgage Eligibility, Benefits & Limits

Brian Martucci — Sat, 22 Oct 2022 03:00:42 +0000

It’s a big decision to join the military. Members of the Armed Forces face a slew of risks to their physical safety and psychological well-being. They make many trade-offs in their personal lives as well, from frequent moves to new towns around the United States to overseas deployments that challenge even the strongest families. To help offset

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15-Year vs. 30-Year Mortgage — Comparison, Pros & Cons

G. Brian Davis — Wed, 19 Oct 2022 11:00:00 +0000

Buying a home comes with many decisions, among them the loan term you want. Should you choose a shorter loan term with higher minimum monthly payments or a longer loan term with smaller payments? Learn the differences between a 15-year and a 30-year mortgage, and the pros and cons of either option.

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What Is a Mortgage REIT (mREIT) – Definition, Risks & Suitability

G. Brian Davis — Tue, 06 Sep 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Want to invest in real estate without tenants calling you in the middle of the night? A mortgage REIT, or mREIT, could be right for you. Find out how this type of real estate investment trust works, how risky it really is, and whether it fits into your financial plan.

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How Much of a Down Payment Do You Need to When Buying a House?

G. Brian Davis — Mon, 22 Aug 2022 11:00:00 +0000

rone on about down payments? You don’t need to become an expert on mortgage loans. You just need to know the basics to get a sense of how much of a down payment you need to buy a house.

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8 Ways to Save Money on Homeowners Insurance

Heather Levin — Tue, 09 Aug 2022 21:07:00 +0000

The median home price in the United States hovers around $200,000, which means your home is the biggest investment you’ll likely make in your life. The purpose of homeowner’s insurance is to protect that investment should it be damaged or destroyed. That said, it’s pretty important. However, protecting such a big investment doesn’t have to

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Do You Need Renters Insurance for Your Apartment? Pros & Cons

Brian Martucci — Mon, 18 Jul 2022 13:00:00 +0000

Renters insurance has several benefits for tenants. And some property owners require tenants to carry it. But it comes at a cost. Before rushing to purchase a policy you might not need or writing off renters insurance as unnecessary, take a few minutes to consider the benefits and drawbacks.

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What Happens to Home Prices When Interest Rates Go Up?

G. Brian Davis — Tue, 12 Jul 2022 15:00:00 +0000

Interest rates are rising once again. Will home prices fall as a result? The evidence is unclear. Learn more about the relationship between interest rates and home prices, and when rising interest rates might spell trouble for sellers — and opportunity for buyers.

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States With the Lowest Overall Tax Burden (Income, Property & Sales)

G. Brian Davis — Mon, 11 Jul 2022 11:00:00 +0000

State and local taxes in the U.S. add up to real money. There’s a huge difference between the highest-taxed states and the lowest. If you’re considering where to set down roots or looking to move to a lower cost-of-living area, read on to learn which states offer the lowest tax rates.

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Is Inflation Good for Homeowners? – How Rising Prices Effect Real Estate

G. Brian Davis — Fri, 08 Jul 2022 17:00:00 +0000

While inflation wreaks havoc on your grocery bills and bond investments, it’s not all bad news for homeowners. But before you get too nervous or excited, ensure you understand how past periods of inflation have impacted homeowners — the good, the bad, and the ugly.

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