Today's Current News, Opinion & Advice
When you first work with your loan officer very early on in the process, you’ll soon establish a trusting relationship with that person. You’ve shopped around for a new loan and interviewed several loan officers before finally landing on the perfect choice. Your loan officer has helped qualify you and provide an array of loan…
We all, at some point or another, get our feet firmly on the property ladder, and while some do it while they are young, others wait until they reach middle age before making the commitment to buy rather than rent. Once you own your home, there will likely come a time when relocation is the…
These are interesting times for mortgage lenders. While there are large-scale economic and socioeconomic reasons for optimism going forward, there are also some complexities and cautionary notes that need to be taken seriously. Understanding these key trends—and appreciating the significant issues likely to impact the industry in 2019 and beyond—is important for lenders, mortgage banking…
Whether your house is big or small, chances are that you can use more storage space. Here are 17 tips for finding extra storage space throughout your home and garage. 1. Between the studs Put the space between studs to work by tucking open display shelves into walls. They don’t have to be outdated arched…
Pantone just announced the 2019 Color of the Year, and if you’re thinking warm and inviting sounds pretty good this time of year, you’ll love their choice of Living Coral. But should you rush to incorporate the shade into your house? The short answer is: Only if you plan on redoing it again next year,…
Hosting a holiday meal or party for the first time this year? It’s a rite of passage, and one you’re probably particularly excited about if this is your first year in your new home. Naturally, there may also be some fear tied up in all that excitement. After all, successful hosting is a skill that’s…
When installing a new kitchen, there are many choices to be made that will affect its aesthetics, functionality and durability. One of the most important choices is that of the countertops, as they are one of the most used elements in the room. Today, there are many options available and things like variety, price and…
Recently, I was reminded that, lately, neither in this column nor in many of the usual places had there been much discussion of the need for real estate agents to be observant of activities that fall under the scope of the Real Estate Settlement and Procedures Act (RESPA). It was a good reminder. There has…
It was exciting to contemplate city life after living in smaller towns. Apparently, everyone else thought so too, because by the time I decided I liked a house, it was gone from the market. Between struggling with a tight real estate market and shopping from across the country, it wasn’t easy to find a house.…
With more jobs moving outside of traditional offices — it’s been said that 50% of the American workforce will work remotely by 2020 — many career-minded individuals are facing the new reality of having to create their own workspaces. For some, this situation is an exciting possibility; cutting out a commute and staying close to…
Christmas is just around the corner, and if your gift anxiety is reaching fever pitch, we’re here to help. You don’t have to wrack your brain or search every corner of the mall for gifts for your neighbors, your Aunt Linda, your young cousins, and your kids’ teachers. We’ve combed the Internet for 10 great…
You don’t have to be in the market for a new home to tour model homes. In fact, model home complexes are a great place to get a few ideas for your existing home. Whether you’re looking for ideas to renovate your kitchen and want to see the most current trends, are having a hard…
The push to make our houses as energy-efficient as possible has, in some cases, led to unintended consequences. Because modern houses are less drafty due to tighter-fitting windows, doors and weather stripping, pollutants that were vented in the past are trapped inside. Most of the pollutants are relatively harmless, but some can be dangerous, and…
While the planet we live on has suited human needs for thousands of years, Earth’s bounty may not last forever. Based on research and observation, scientists and environmentalists have good reason to believe our planetary home is in trouble. According to the United Nations, a whirlwind of issues, many of which are likely caused by…
There are times when a lender is going to ask for additional [real estate] collateral in order to make a borrower a loan. The most likely scenario for this is when there is not enough equity in the target property. Other scenarios include a borrower with less than stellar credit, or the type or quality…
A new release from RE/MAX emphasizes what we’ve been saying for many years: The winter season is a great time to buy a home if you don’t want to pay top dollar. While areas like Southern California may not see much, if any, of a seasonal price break because of a lack of winter, bargains…
Often times the smallest changes can enhance a home’s “showability” when it is offered to the public for inspection. Sellers don’t seem to realize when “too much of their home” is showing. Staging your home for its finest presentation requires a room by room critique to offer the best first impressions. Accentuate the Positive When…
Las Vegas, NV (December 5th, 2018) – PinRaise, the company that connects real estate agents with local clients and nonprofits, announced today that the donations continue, with the help of their esteemed real estate professionals each making donations on behalf of their clients to the nonprofits of their clients’ choice. Kellie Bradt of RG Realty…
Las Vegas, NV (December 5th, 2018) – PinRaise, the company that connects local real estate agents with local clients and nonprofits, announced today that the donations continue, with the help of their esteemed real estate professionals each making donations on behalf of their clients to the nonprofits of their clients’ choice. Quinlan Realty in Creve…
The recent California fires devastated homes and families, with hundreds of homes burned to the ground and a loss of life that is beyond tragic. But, for many, the fire danger remains even though the flames have been extinguished. Countless homes that made it through the fires continue to be uninhabitable because of smoke damage…
If the roots of your neighbor’s tree are causing damage to your property, what legal rights do you have? Unfortunately, it depends on where you live. Over the centuries, our country has grown from a largely agricultural setting to an urban civilization. As a result of these changes, different states have adopted different rules regarding…
Is winter the “off season” for your real estate plans? PJ Wade explains why waiting for the spring market may be the more expensive thing to do. Real estate may be the furthest thing from your mind at this time of year, but keep three key real estate realities uppermost in your thinking, or 2019 could be an…
Both real estate licensees and members of the general public are liable to think of all forms of common interest subdivisions as being condominiums. For the most part, this is a common and harmless mistake. On occasion, though, it may turn out that the differences among these types of ownership is quite important. California law,…
As expected, the Federal Housing Finance Agency, or FHFA, increased the conforming loan limit for 2019. The new conforming loan limit for 2019 is set at $484,350 for a single family home. We wrote here how FHFA sets these limits as the Home Price Index, or HPI is reviewed at the end of the third…
