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In 2021, the American Rescue Plan Act set aside nearly $10 billion to provide direct relief to homeowners struggling with finances because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Known as the Homeowner Assistance Fund, or HAF, this money would be split among U.S. states, territories and tribal governments, with each creating its own program for distributing the… […]
The Homeowner Assistance Fund: How It Works and How to Apply Read More »
If you’ve built enough equity in your investment property, you may have considered getting a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, to make improvements, consolidate debt or even buy a new property. You can get a HELOC on an investment property and tap into its equity, but there are strict qualification requirements, they aren’t…
Can You Get a HELOC on an Investment Property? Read More »
A home equity loan can be a valuable way to access some of the funds tied up in the value of your home without having to sell it. Some homeowners choose a home equity loan to finance an expense such as completing a renovation or making another upgrade that will enhance their home’s worth. You…
Can You Refinance a Home Equity Loan? Read More »
Opendoor, the largest iBuyer in the United States by volume, uses technology to help people buy and sell their homes quickly for cash. Founded in 2014, Opendoor introduced the world to iBuying when it bought its first home. In the second quarter of 2021, the company says it purchased a record 8,494 homes. Opendoor debuted…
Opendoor: What to Know About the Home iBuyer Read More »
You go to the bank to put money in your savings account, to make a withdrawal, to apply for a loan, and more. But banks aren’t just places where you store your cash. They’re also businesses, and part of a large sector of the economy. The economy couldn’t function without a solid banking system, but
What the Financial Services Sector is All About Read More »
There are several options available to you when you need to find a loan to purchase a home. For example, you can work with a mortgage broker who will take your specific needs and circumstances into account and compare rates from a variety of lenders. You could also research lenders on your own and work…
Using a Mortgage Broker vs. a Lender Read More »
If you’ve read the business section of any website or newspaper lately, it seems like inflation is the topic that’s on the tip of everyone’s tongue. The impact can be seen on everything from the price of soft drinks to gas. However, if you’re looking to buy a home, the impact can be bigger than
The Effect of Inflation on Home Buying Read More »
If for-sale signs in front yards were creatures, they would have the life span of fruit flies. Among homes sold in March 2021, 83% had been on the market for less than a month. Homes sell fast because there aren’t enough to accommodate every household that wants to own one. The shortfall was 3.8 million…
The Property Line: Housing Shortage Hangs On; Price Crash Unlikely Read More »
As a prospective home buyer, it’s just as important to research types of mortgages as the neighborhoods you want to live in. Applying for a home loan can be complicated, and deciding which type of mortgage best suits your needs early on will help direct you to the type of home you can afford. Depending
8 Types Of Mortgages For All Home Buyers Read More »
The standards and policies that banks and other lending institutions use to determine their lending practice vary over time for a variety of different reasons. The overall economic climate, a bank’s particular financial situation, and the local real estate market are among these reasons. The Federal Reserve sets interest rate policy for banks across the
What to Know About Mortgage Lending Standards Easing in 2021 Read More »
With the housing market heating up as mortgage rates remain low, people are flocking to buy a house, including many first-time buyers. The share of first-time homebuyers in the market reached 36 percent, according to the National Association of Realtors. This combined with low housing inventory across the U.S has created a competitive environment, so
New Mint Feature Highlight: Home buying made easier with Rocket Mortgage Read More »
Bellhop is a moving services platform that specializes in quickly booking and coordinating local moves and labor online. The company itself doesn’t provide moving services; instead, it recruits individuals and motor carriers to use its platform as independent contractors — similar to how ridesharing platforms Uber and Lyft recruit drivers — then matches you with…
Bellhop Moving: 5 Things to Know Read More »
Plan to buy your first home in 2021? It’ll probably take months instead of weeks, and you might feel demoralized at times. That’s not negative thinking. It’s an acknowledgment that the road to homeownership has potholes. The journey can be bumpy, but the destination is worth it. When you know at the outset that you’re…
The Property Line: Buyers Face Emotional Journey in 2021 Read More »
Finding free or very inexpensive boxes near you is a relatively simple way to lower the overall cost of your move — sometimes, by hundreds of dollars. It does require some effort and research on your part though. Start early to give yourself enough time to source plenty before moving day. » MORE: NerdWallet’s top…
Where to Get Moving Boxes for Cheap or Free Read More »
Clean carpets make any home more attractive, and it often takes a multifaceted approach to get the job done right. This guide for how to clean carpet will help you find ways to freshen underfoot, whatever your budget. Vacuum Cost: $0 if you already own a vacuum; $50-$700 for a new vacuum; $10-$50 for dry…
How to Clean Carpet: Methods, Costs and Tips Read More »
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving is a company that specializes in local moves, junk removal, donation pickup and labor services in the U.S. and Canada. (HUNKS is an acronym for “honest, uniformed, nice, knowledgeable service.”) The company has over 130 franchise locations nationwide and operates in more than 40 states. If you plan to hire…
College HUNKS Hauling Junk & Moving: 5 Things to Know Read More »
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before — mortgage interest rates are at an all-time low. For what seems like the past 10 or 15 years mortgage rates have been dropping. Every time they reach a new low, everyone thinks “Wow, I need to refinance — rates will never be this low again!” And
5 Reasons to Refinance Your Mortgage Read More »