Homeowners facing foreclosure should be aware of unscrupulous lenders and scammers. Don’t get me wrong, most lenders and agencies are reputable and legit. However some lenders, commonly second mortgage issuers will use unethical practices that increase the risk of nonpayment by the borrower. These tactics may include lending a large amount in hopes that the borrower will not be able to keep up with the payments, charging outrageous interest, points or fees. They may also repeatedly refinance the loan without any real beneficial reason to the borrower. Homeowners facing foreclosure are often targets of these scammers because they are seeking any solution possible at the time. Continue reading »
Feb 092005
In the wake of the incredible house price boom witnessed in most of the developed world over the past decade, a lot of ideas have sprung up as to how to value a house ‘fairly’. The reason for this is that traditional methods, such as working out house prices as a multiple of salaries, or perhaps mortgage affordability as a percentage of income, seem to have ‘stopped working’ recently. Continue reading »
When you move in to a new apartment, the landlord may charge you more than the first month’s rent. Before you sign the lease, make sure you understand exactly what you’re going to be charged, and get it in writing. Continue reading »
Every year over 8 million homeowners are seeking help preventing foreclosure proceedings. This is a stunning 30 year high. Experts project that by 2006, 12 million homeowners will be teetering on the brink of foreclosure. Many homeowners are not aware that the can prevent foreclosure and save their house. Did you know that you can’t stop the proceedings up to an hour before the auction takes place? Continue reading »
Historically, when homeowners wanted to sell their home, the first call made would be to a Realtor. Since the early 1900’s, Realtors have represented homeowners during the process of selling their home, which is usually to another homeowner. Real estate brokers hold state regulated licenses that allow them to market real estate on behalf of the owner. The national average for broker commissions is approximately five percent. In many cases, another broker will bring the buyer and receive typically fifty percent of the commission. When the majority of homeowners sell their home, they believe a real estate agent gives them the best chance to maximize the amount they receive and the agent commission will come out of their proceeds at closing. This is a process that takes place everyday throughout America. Continue reading »
This week Congress introduced a bill titled, “Community Choice in Real Estate Act,” to permanently ban banking conglomerates from entering real estate brokerage or property management. This is because some of the larger banking conglomerates have requested permission from the Federal Reserve Board to sell and manage real estate. Pretty much every major organization in the real estate industry is backing the bill against banks in real estate. Continue reading »
As a renter, you are subject to the whims of your landlord. They work at their own pace, and improve their property as they see fit. You have no control over the property that you reside in. Do your floors need to be resurfaced or your carpets replaced? Sit around and wait for your landlord to do it. Do your walls need to be repainted? Ask the landlord. Continue reading »
Jan 092005
Homeownership, in any form, is a big step for most people. In fact, it’s often one of the biggest financial decisions of our lives. Despite that, sometimes a homeowner in one country will want to buy a second home in another country, whether for a vacation home or future retirement. Usually they make this decision after realizing they visit the same country every chance they get, but sometimes it’s because they have relatives or friends nearby too. Continue reading »
Jan 052005
Historically, real estate agents have represented the seller of a property. The seller, after all, is usually the one who pays their commission, and agents therefore have a fiduciary relationship with the seller. This in no way means that agents may operate outside the bounds of the law and ethical conduct of course. It just means that the real estate agent is just that, an authorized agent of the seller for a particular transaction. Continue reading »
Jan 052005
Due in part to the popularity of the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s home auction program, more potential homebuyers than ever are buying homes at auction. Homes for auction aren’t limited to just HUD, however. Many government entities auction homes for payment of back taxes, and some homeowners even auction their homes on eBay.com! Continue reading »
