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If you’re purchasing a newly constructed home, the blue tape walk-through is an integral part of the buying process. Blue tape walk-throughs can be stressful if you go in blind. So you’ll want to have a plan of action to ensure you get everything you need from the builder of your new home by the
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The holiday season is right around the corner. Many of us are looking forward to spending time with loved ones, recreating annual traditions, gift giving (and gift receiving), and indulging in the season’s foods, desserts, and pumpkin spice everything (we see you, #TeamPSL).  So many of us get wrapped up in the “reason(s) for the
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While you may love nothing more than living in your home right now, there must be some part of you that hopes – and expects – your home’s value to climb, especially if you’re thinking about selling your home one day.  We don’t want to make any assumptions, but for most sellers, their highest priority
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Functioning, modern appliances can add a tremendous amount of value to your home. The sum value of all appliances can be worth several thousand dollars. So, getting the appliances included with your home purchase can have a tremendous impact on the home’s “true” value. As you’d probably expect, whether appliances come with the house will
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An investment portfolio is a term that comes up quickly in any conversation about investing. The word “portfolio” comes from the Latin word “portafoglio,” which is a case for carrying loose papers.[1]  Before the internet, it was common for brokers to keep track of their clients’ investments in separate notebooks or binders (aka portfolios). These
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Mortgage rates and inflation are two crucial pieces of our economy and have a significant impact on each other. As a reminder, inflation is the increase in the prices of goods and services, which reduces the purchasing power of money as a result.  On September 21, 2022, the federal reserve increased interest rates for the
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When you buy a home, the seller transfers the deed to you, making you the proud new owner of a piece of real estate. But did you know that sometimes homeowners can transfer their mortgages to you, too? A transferable mortgage, more commonly known as an assumable mortgage, allows you to buy a home by
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Loans originated by the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) are a great option for home buyers, especially first-time home buyers. They offer low-interest rates, relaxed credit requirements, and low down payments.  And there’s another unique benefit. If you refinance your existing FHA loan to another FHA loan, you may qualify for a refund on the upfront
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Think of the lifelong memories you’ll create with friends and family on a lakefront property with a scenic body of water in the background. The memories will be priceless, but the waterfront property will have a price – and the price will be hefty. Whether it’s your long-awaited primary residence, a vacation home for weekend
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The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express The Blue Business® Plus Credit Card from American Express offers business owners a simple way to earn American Express Membership Rewards® points. There are no bonus reward categories to keep track of and no annual fee. And you can potentially take advantage of this offer for
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You want to sell your house, but you are facing one potentially vexing problem: the mountain of repairs you never got around to in your home. Fortunately for you, some buyers are more than willing to part with their money to buy your home as-is. An as-is clause makes a buyer responsible for all home
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If you’re the spouse or surviving spouse of a U.S. Armed Forces veteran (including the U.S. National Guard), you may qualify for a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) loan – either as a co-borrower or sometimes as a standalone applicant.  Considering everything spouses of active service members and veterans do for their families, as
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You’d have to be living under a rock not to notice cryptocurrency’s recent rise in popularity.  Many curious and aspiring entrepreneurs have made fortunes in Bitcoin, Ethereum and other forms of digital currency – and many others have followed them, hoping to turn a quick profit.  In turn, fraudsters have swooped in to take advantage
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Owning a home is a significant goal for many Americans. The New York Times reported this year that nearly three-quarters of Americans consider homeownership a high measure of achievement – a higher percentage than graduating from college, building a career or raising a family. The survey also noted that renters often cite affordability and other
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Traditional homeowners and renters insurance does not cover earthquakes, making earthquake insurance one of the few options available to people in high-risk zones like California, Hawaii or Alaska. While many homeowners skip earthquake insurance due to high costs, that doesn’t mean you should make the same choice.  To better understand the advantages and disadvantages of
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When the prices of goods and services go up, it can be hard to know where to invest your money. Even the interest rates on high-yield savings accounts don’t usually keep pace with inflation. Stocks and other investments can offer greater returns – but they are riskier.  If you’re looking for a place to invest
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When it comes to down payments – size can matter.  The size of your down payment can impact many aspects of your home buying journey: the loans you’re eligible for, your interest rate, your monthly mortgage payments, your closing costs and how much you’ll need to pay upfront at closing. But does the size of
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Wondering if your homeowners insurance policy covers plumbing? Whether you’re experiencing a plumbing issue or want to understand your policy better, it’s good to be prepared.  Homeowners insurance protects your property from the unexpected, like fire or storm damage. Luckily, many plumbing mishaps are covered. But when they aren’t, reviewing your policy and understanding what’s
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Most people who buy a house expect the seller to leave behind the oven and refrigerator, but sometimes, a seller can pass along much more than an appliance. If you’re thinking about purchasing a home with tenants, you may be looking at a turnkey investment opportunity. But there are other things you need to take
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