Menu

FHA-Backed HECM Reverse Mortgages 101

Imagine being mortgage-free or having access to tax-free money that can be used to cover any one of life’s major expenses? For eligible American homeowners aged 62 years or older, this can be a reality thanks to Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECM’s). Backed by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA), these reverse mortgage programs enable seniors to take out some of the equity in their homes and even choose how they withdraw the money.

Read More

Problems That Could Arise if Buyers Move in Before Closing

Usually, buyers move into a home they purchased only after escrow closes, but there are times when buyers get possession of the home before closing. While not very common, buyers who ask to move into the home before closing might have a variety of reasons to do so.

Read More

INFOGRAPHIC: C.A.R.’s January Sales Report

The real estate market in California started off strong this year with higher sales from December. Sales increases in January were likely the result of an increase in interest rates since the Presidential election, prompting buyers to get into the market before rates climb even higher.

Read More

How Do Capital Gains Taxes Work When Selling Real Estate?

Depending on the circumstances surrounding the sale of your property, you could wind up having to pay capital gains taxes to Uncle Sam come tax time.

Read More

Common Reasons Why Pending Sales Never Make it to Closing

Whether you’re on the buying or selling end of a real estate transaction, making it all the way to offer acceptance is a huge, rewarding step. Unfortunately, the deal isn’t quite done yet: you still have to make it to final closing. While the majority of deals go though with little or no issues, there are still the odd transactions that fizzle out before the closing date.

Read More

Is it Time For a Price Reduction on Your Listing?

Your home has been on the market for a few weeks now with no offers coming in, despite all the showings that have been booked. What could be the problem?

Read More

INFOGRAPHIC: Tips for Filing a Disaster Claim on Your Insurance

You pay for your homeowner’s insurance, but at no time do you ever want to have to file a claim as a result of a major disaster. If you find yourself in this position, make sure you keep the following tips in mind when putting in a claim with you insurance provider.

Read More

How to Figure Out How Much of Your Income Should Be Spent on a Mortgage

Before you start pounding the pavement in search of your next home and book showings, you might want to find out exactly how much you can afford first. There’s no sense in looking in the $600,000 range, for instance, if you can only realistically afford a home worth $300,000.

Read More

Pros and Cons of Owner Financing

A home purchase is a very expensive one and typically requires some type of financing. The more common way to finance such a large purchase is to obtain a mortgage from a lender or bank, but there are other more creative ways to get your hands on the money you need to pay for your new home.

Read More