- 10 Things to Avoid Before Applying for a Mortgage
As a homebuyer, you don’t want anything to jeopardize your chances of closing on the home you’ve selected. Many folks can’t buy homes without applying for a mortgage, and if you need one, it’s important to prepare so you’re a… read more…
- 7 Steps to Building Equity in Your Home
Building home equity is important. It’s your financial stake in your house and since it’s considered an asset, you can use your home equity to finance your kid’s college education, remodel your current house, buy another home or supplement your… read more…
- The Average Cost to Paint a House
Whether you just recently purchased your first home or you want to spruce up a house you’ve lived in for a while, a new paint job can be a great way to refresh your property. Concerned about what that might cost? Here’s everything you need to know about the average cost to paint a house.… read more…
- 13 Things to Know Before Moving to Nashville
Nashville is a fast-growing city with plenty of opportunities for work and play. The city’s population has grown by more than 6% since 2010 as more and more people flock to Nashville for abundant jobs, relatively affordable homes and quality… read more…
- The Best Green Cities for Families in 2016
Americans are more concerned about the environment than ever before. In a Gallup poll released earlier this year 64% of respondents said that they worry about global warming a “fair amount” or a “great deal.” Nearly 60% said that the effects of global warming have already begun, while another 31% believe that it will eventually.… read more…
- How to Buy Land and What You Need to Know
If your dream home doesn’t have nearby neighbors, you probably need to buy land, on which you’ll build a house. Once you’ve found the perfect patch, you’ll need to work on securing the land. Many experts recommend paying for it in… read more…
- The Most and Least Severely Housing Cost-Burdened Cities in 2016
Are housing costs taking up a big chunk of your budget? You’re not alone. Whether they rent or own their homes, housing affordability is a challenge for millions of households. But it’s especially a problem for households that rent. Nationwide, renter households are more than twice as likely to be housing cost burdened as owner households. Want… read more…
- The Average Cost to Finish a Basement
Finishing your basement may be on your mind if you want to increase the value of your home or expand your family’s living space. The cost to finish your basement will depend on how elaborate you want the renovations to… read more…
- The Best Cities for Living the American Dream
Is the American Dream making a comeback? After the housing crisis last decade, many people questioned the legitimacy of homeownership as a means of building wealth and providing economic security. Today, however, with home prices in much of the U.S. at last passing their pre-crisis peak and mortgage rates hovering near their historic lows, for many… read more…
- What Does a Real Estate Attorney Do?
In certain states, you can’t buy or sell a house unless a real estate attorney is present. So unless you live in a place like Georgia, Vermont, Kentucky or Maine, for example, you might be wondering whether you need to… read more…
- The Most Dog-Friendly Cities in America in 2016
Think of how much you love your best friend. No, not that one – the other one. The one who slobbers, licks your face and begs for food. According to The Humane Society of the United States, nearly 43.3 million households own at least one dog and about 70% of those dog owners consider their… read more…
- How to Split Your Rent Fairly
The question of how to split rent can be a tricky one. Roommates may be reluctant to risk conflict by proposing an alternative to the standard 50-50 split. If you’re wondering how to split your rent fairly, here are some… read more…
- The Top 10 Cities for Working Parents
Being a parent is a full time job. Nonetheless, on top of the substantial energy required to raise a child, most parents in the United States are also employed. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, among U.S. families that have children, 88.7% have at least one working parent. In 60.2% of those families both… read more…
- All About the Affordable Loan Solution Mortgage
Industry standards say that homebuyers should expect to make at least a 20% down payment. In reality, however, not everyone can afford to do that. Down payment assistance plans and mortgages with zero or low down payments can relieve some… read more…
- 23 Things to Know Before Moving to Seattle
Seattle is a city unlike any other. Nestled between the Cascade and Olympic Mountain ranges, and sitting along the shores of the Puget Sound and Lake Washington, its natural beauty causes many who visit to wish they could stay forever. And… read more…
- Pros and Cons of Getting a Mortgage Online
Taking on a mortgage is a major financial responsibility. But oddly enough, nearly half of homebuyers don’t take the time to shop around for the right lender, according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. In addition to traditional banks and… read more…
- America’s Sister Cities
It’s a common practice for U.S. cities to have sister cities in foreign countries. New York City’s official sister cities include Beijing, Cairo and Budapest. But there are sister cities within the U.S., too. SmartAsset took a look at Census Bureau… read more…
- 17 Things to Know About Moving to Los Angeles
Are you considering moving to Los Angeles? There’s a lot you should know. No, not everyone is in the entertainment industry. Yes, the avocados really are that good. Moving to LA can be a little intimidating if you’re not familiar with the neighborhoods and the culture. Here are 17 tips for anyone who’s moving to… read more…
- 7 Tips for Writing the Perfect Real Estate Offer Letter
When you’re making an offer on a house that has several bidders, you may decide to enhance the appeal of your bid by writing a letter to the seller. Your letter should explain why you’re interested in buying the house and… read more…
- The Best Cities for First-Time Homebuyers in 2016
In the wake of the housing crisis last decade, homeownership rates declined markedly. In 2005, more than 69% of American households owned the home they lived in. Today that rate is just 64%. The decline has been especially steep among young homeowners. At the end of 2015, less than 35% of adults under the age… read more…
- All About Rental Assistance
Whether someone rents or buys, tough economic times or unexpected bills can leave a person scrambling to keep up with housing costs. If you have a mortgage, you may be eligible for assistance programs like the Home Affordable Modification Program. If you’re… read more…
- What Is the Cost of Living in Tennessee?
Tennessee is packed with a country and blues culture that’s centered around Nashville and Memphis. When it comes to the cost of living in the state, most costs are below the national average but home prices can be high, depending… read more…
- 17 Things to Know Before Moving to New York
Any New Yorker will tell you that NYC is the greatest city in the world, with better food, better entertainment, and, well, better everything than anyplace else on the planet. But it takes some getting used to, especially if you’ve never visited or if you’re coming from a smaller city or town. So, for anyone… read more…
- The Cost of Living in Michigan
Perhaps you’re drawn to the revitalized city of Detroit or the natural beauty of the Upper Peninsula. Regardless of where you want to move, the cost of living in Michigan can differ from city to city. So if a move to Michigan is… read more…
- Where Are Millennials Buying Homes? – 2016 Edition
The homeownership rate among young people has been declining steadily in recent years. In 2005, 43% of adults under the age of 35 owned a home. Today that rate is just 35%. There are a number of possible reasons for this shift, including the rising cost of housing in many cities. Yet, just as housing… read more…