Updated: Monday, November 30, 2020

6 Reasons to Adopt a Green Lifestyle
Written By: Michael Tamez and Jeff Wilson

According to the United Nations, a whirlwind of issues, many of which are likely caused by man, threaten to harm our precious Earth in irreversible ways. From greenhouse gas emissions to air pollution, deforestation, and issues with water and waste, the human impact on our planet has become real. And if we dont change, we face both unintended an...

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Renting? You’re Still Paying a Mortgage…Just Not Your Own
Written By: David Reed

For those who invest in real estate, cash flow is king. Investors considering buying a rental property take into account how much rent can be charged compared to ownership costs. Those costs can include a mortgage, property taxes, insurance and maintenance. If the expected rental is more than that, the property will cash flow. Otherwise, its an ...

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Just Call it a Dump and Be Done With It
Written By: Realty Times Staff

In nation of 300 million, theres at least one sharp-eyed person who can see a marketing tool for what it really is.I read your recent article about storage and the fact that real estate agents urge clients to reduce the amount of clutter to make the house look bigger, the sharp-eyed reader writes.Sounds a bit sneaky to pare down the contents of ...

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November Real Estate Roundup
Written By: Realty Times Staff

Freddie Macs results of its Primary Mortgage Market Survey shows that "Mortgage rates remain at record lows and while that has fueled a refinance boom, its been driven mainly by higher income borrowers. With about 20 million borrowers eligible to refinance, lower-and middle-income borrowers are leaving money on the table by not taking advantage ...

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What to Know Before You Change Your Home’s Layout
Written By: Ashley Sutphin

When youre planning a home renovation project, there is one of two categories its likely to fall into. The first is a simple cosmetic refresh. For example, maybe youre going to reface your cabinets and change out the light fixtures, but theres no major work to be done. Changing floors is another example of a cosmetic project.Then, there are thos...

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The Five Biggest Turn-Offs For Homebuyers
Written By: Realty Times Staff

A lot of sellers dont listen to their real estate agents, so well tell you what your agent wants to say, but cant say to you and this is it - your agent cant get you the price you want unless your home is in pristine move-in condition.That means no sticking drawers in the kitchen. No leaning fences. No rust-stained plumbing fixtures. We could go...

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HOA: Mother Lode Committees
Written By: Richard Thompson

Committees are an untapped gold mine available to a homeowner association board. Besides benefitting the board by spreading the work around, committees are an excellent training ground for future board members. Members that are >Committees come in all shapes, sizes and functions and may be temporary or long term, as the need dictates. They are o...

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What is a VA Home Loan?
Written By: Ashley Sutphin

If youre a service member or veteran in the United States, you might be eligible for a Department of Veterans Affairs VA home loan. The spouse of a service member or veteran may also be eligible for a VA home loan. The entire objective of this program is to help veterans and service members obtain a mortgage with little-to-no money down.The Basi...

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Should You Use a HELOC for a Renovation?
Written By: Ashley Sutphin

A lot of people, thanks to low interest rates, are thinking about home renovations right now. You have different options to pay for these projects if youre not going to pay in cash. One option is a Home Equity Line of Credit or HELOC.A HELOC is a way to borrow against your homes equity, and it provides flexibility. With that being said, because ...

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When Is the Best Day of the Month to Close?
Written By: David Reed

Maybe youve heard this and maybe you havent, but when someone asks when the best time is to close on a contract its typically at or near the end of the month. Why? Because its how mortgage interest is accrued. When someone makes a mortgage payment on the first of the month, the payment doesnt apply to the month about to be lived in but instead i...

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5 Surprising Ways to Invest in Your House
Written By: Carol Evenson

Expanded DrivewayOne area that many people never think about changing is their driveway. Over the years, a lot of people have learned that they can expand their driveway to hold more cars. This is especially useful if you have multiple vehicles that members of your family drive.In the average neighborhood, there is simply not enough space for mo...

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How To Create Year-Round Home Curb Appeal
Written By: Andrea Davis

Exceptional curb appeal will add to the enjoyment and value of your property and home. Maintaining your curb appeal throughout each season may pose its challenges, but with these tips, you can ensure that your home and landscaping will look their very best throughout the year.1 Clean It UpA thorough power wash is essential for maintaining the cl...

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Should You Add a REIT To Your Investment Portfolio?
Written By: Ashley Sutphin

A lot of people want to invest in real estate, but theyre not ready to flip properties or be a landlord. There are other ways to invest in real estate without having the responsibility of holding physical property. One way is a Real Estate Investment Trust or REIT.The purpose of a REIT is to help individuals invest in income-producing real estat...

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HOA Group Think
Written By: Richard Thompson

Homeowner associations are often portrayed as the detached governed by thankless volunteers. Its the blind leading the blind or rather the clueless in charge of those that could care less. So how should this union of the unwilling go about acquiring the wisdom it needs?James Surowiecki makes the case that a group is smarter than the smartest ind...

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Should You Move Out During a Remodel?
Written By: Ashley Sutphin

Maybe youve been planning a remodel for quite some time, and youre finally getting started. You might be doing a large-scale remodel to make your home more functional for your family, or perhaps the plan is to get it ready to sell.Regardless of why youre remodeling, theres a big question that will arise: should you stay, or should you go? Meanin...

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The Pitfalls of Fractionalized Deeds of Trust
Written By: Edward Brown

Many investors like the alternative lending space where they can invest in mortgages, otherwise known as, Trust Deed investing, whereby they become the lender on real estate. The two major ways to invest in these mortgages is either in some kind of pooled investment [a Fund], similar to a mutual fund or owning the deed of trust on a specific pie...

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Buyers: Reset Your “Must-Haves”
Written By: PJ Wade — Decisions & Communities

Home buyers who had their real estate plans interrupted by the pandemic may benefit from a reset before they plunge into the current real estate market. Buyers whose real-estate buying efforts stalled in March 2020 may benefit from reviewing their must-have list and how they created it. Buyers whose pandemic experience triggered a work-from-home...

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What Are the Pros and Cons of Open-Concept?
Written By: Ashley Sutphin

If youve ever watched a real estate show, youve likely heard the number one thing buyers want is an open floorplan. Open-concept design has its perks certainly, but its not right for everyone and their needs. Despite it being so in demand, its important you think about those downsides you might not have considered.What is Open-Concept?An open-co...

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