How does a reverse mortgage work?
You may have seen the ads or recently heard the buzz around the reverse mortgage, but you will also be asking “What is a reverse mortgage and how does it work, how can I benefit from this process/program?
(more...)Popular Posts
5 Free Budget Templates to Get Your Spending Under Control
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How to give up renting without going broke
For three long, miserable years, my husband and I rented a unit attached to our landlord’s sprawling house in northeastern Toronto. Every time the landlord lit a cigarette, the stench filled our apartment. Every time we took a shower, someone would flush a toilet and scald us. The owner kept two cats but didn’t allow us to have pets, so the mice that infested the place took refuge on our side of the house.
(more...)Worst mistakes first-time home buyers make
Getting pre-approved for a mortgage is a great way to budget for a home and signal that you’re a serious buyer. However, keep in mind that the amount for which you are approved is the maximum amount the lender feels you can afford based on your income and projected property expenses. That figure doesn’t account for other expenses you may face, such as renovations or emergency home repair, as well as regular household costs.
(more...)A home inspection can help avoid a money pit
A typical home-buyer assumes that the purpose of a home inspection is to catch any major structural problems before going through with a purchase. Avoiding a money pit is one reason to hire a home inspector, but savvy home-buyers can get more value than that from the building inspection.
(more...)SmartMoney.com: The New Best Places to Retire
I live in the middle of a retirement Mecca here in the Desert Southwest. Every fall the “snowbirds”, aka winter visitors, start heading in with their RVs and set up shop for the winter. Although the area I live in has traditionally had a large retired population, SmartMoney.com is taking a different look at retirement and presents their list of The New Best Places to Retire.
(more...)Tips for Finding a Rental Apartment
Find a good apartment manager, and you’ve likely found a good apartment rental. From making repairs to keeping the noise down, an attentive apartment manager is worth his or her weight in gold, or at least a lunch out. To find such a manager, interview them as they would interview you as a potential tenant, asking how they deal with problems in the complex and how fast they’ll respond to your queries.
(more...)Cost vs Value: How to Make Your Renovation Payoff
With all of the uncertainty in the Real Estate market recently, many people have been asking about how to make their renovation the most profitable when they go to sell. Whether you are a “Do It Yourself-er” (DIY), or you hire a contractor, proper budgeting and planning are key to saving you both time and money.
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