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What Is a Deed in Lieu of Foreclosure?
If you’ve heard about banks offering homeowners the option for a deed in lieu of foreclosure over a short sale, you might ask yourself why anybody would want to give a bank a deed to their home instead of going through the short sale process. Essentially, if the bank rejects your short sale, the bank […]
What Is an Upside-Down Mortgage?
When you buy a home, you hope the value will appreciate over time so you’ll be able to build equity. Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way. Home values in neighborhoods can rise sharply for relatively simple reasons such as a major improvement in public transportation. Home values can also plummet. These fluctuations […]
Mandatory Arbitration Clause in Real Estate Agreements – Should I Sign?
When a person is buying commercial or residential real estate, he or she may sign a lot of papers. Often, the person may not know the substance of every document he or she signs. One such document or provision in a longer agreement that the individual may sign is a mandatory arbitration agreement. This provision […]
Installment Payment Plan
Taxpayers may pay property taxes (Real Estate and Tangible Personal Property) in installments. To participate in our Installment Payment Plan (IPP), the taxpayer must complete an Installment Payment Application and have estimated taxes due of more than $100. The application applies to the next year’s taxes. Apply To participate in the Installment Payment Plan for […]
What to Expect When You’re Inspecting
Here’s a guide to each player’s roles and responsibilities during a typical property inspection. If you’re a first-time buyer who just nabbed your first place, you’re likely in one of the scarier places in the real estate transaction. Before choosing paint colors, you’ll need to inspect. If you’re feeling nervous, you’re not alone. The property […]
Baby Boomers: Here’s How to Sell Your Home to Millennials
Shopping for a home has evolved over the years. Here’s what you need to know about the new generation of buyers. For years we’ve seen the shift in Baby Boomers ditching their large suburban homes for the excitement of urban life. And we’re noticing the reverse from millennials: leaving behind small spaces along with the […]
3 Common Moving Nightmares (and How to Prevent Them)
There’s no other way to put it: Moving is stressful. But it doesn’t have to be a waking nightmare. Here’s how to avoid a move from … you know where. Nightmares aren’t supposed to take place in broad daylight, but some common life events bring so much tension, uncertainty and anxiety that they can easily […]
5 Things to Look for in a Rental Listing
Lackluster listings abound — learn to cut through the clutter and spot the keepers. Whether you’re looking for an apartment, single-family house or townhome — and whether you’re in a city, the suburbs or a small town — be prepared to spend a lot of time online and even more time driving around to tour […]
6 Smart Ways to Build Home Equity
Want to create wealth through homeownership? Build equity. Home equity is the percentage of your home’s value that you own, and it’s key to building wealth through homeownership. Let’s take a closer look at how to build home equity without blowing your budget — and how to access it when you need it. How much […]
The Tax Advantages to Paying Property Taxes a Year Early
One of the financial advantages of home-ownership is the ability to deduct property taxes from your federal tax return. Homeowners throughout the nation average more than $3,000 each year in property taxes, with some higher-end homes in high-tax communities have property tax bills exceeding $10,000. Homeowners planning for changes in tax law or even with […]