In real estate, the asking price is often as much about psychology as it is about reality. For example, take the strategy of pricing your home below market value... "I priced my home $9,000 under the market," says Rebecca Ricci. "It was a gamble, but my home was unique. People either love it or hate it. Also, the market was flat. Houses were starting to set on the market a little longer." The lower...

“Refinancing” is a scary word for many people, but that shouldn’t be the case for you. For many homeowners, refinancing can not only lower your monthly payments and help with your monthly budget, but it can save you thousands of dollars in the long run. Refinancing your mortgage is something most homeowners consider at least once throughout the lifespan of their home loan. It allows you to pay...

Photo by Daniel Joseph Petty on Pexels.com In April, Canada's finance minister announced a two-year ban on foreign home buying, as well as higher taxes for people who sell their homes within a year (with qualifying exceptions). Also in April, the island of Oahu in Hawaii passed a law nearly eliminating short-term rentals, now requiring minimum stays of 90 days in all but a few situations. Many...

ONCE YOU SCRATCH THE SURFACE OF GETTING A MORTGAGE, YOU’LL FIND ALL THE ADVICE YOU SEE IN THIS REPORT. HOWEVER, BORROWERS OFTEN DON’T REMEMBER OR HEED THE ADVICE. SO HERE IT IS…EVERYTHING BUYERS SAY THEY WISH THEY’D KNOWN ABOUT GETTING A MORTGAGE BEFORE THEY GOT A MORTGAGE. 1.  Get your finances in order (WELL) ahead of time Photo by Bich Tran on Pexels.com You’d be surprised how...

A few years ago, I watched a reality TV show about a home inspector who went to homes that had already been inspected. He always found all sorts of problems that the original inspector had missed. I was struck by one important thing about that show: The TV version of an inspector was poking holes in walls to look at the wiring, ripping out siding to look for mold underneath, digging up the yard to peek...

An ever-increasing number of homeowners are taking advantage of their extra equity by getting a home equity loan or a line of credit. But accessing your extra home equity should be done carefully, and only in a narrow set of circumstances. In 2006, just before the last real estate bubble popped, homeowners were treating their homes like endless piggy banks. They used their equity to purchase nice...

December means the holiday bustle is upon us; there are flights to catch, gifts to purchase, houses to decorate, and taxes to think about. Not the most cheerful of messages to hear during this time, but for property owners or the self-employed, tax season can be as stressful if not more stressful than the holiday season. To get a head start on taxes next year, here are a few things to consider. The...

In a research study conducted in the early 2000s, a Canadian professor found that homes where the seller was “motivated” took 15 percent longer to sell, while houses listed as “handyman specials” flew off the market in half the time. “It surprised even me,” said researcher Paul Anglin, who teaches real-estate and housing trends at the University of Guelph in Ontario, Canada. Other...

"I have a ton of equity in my home. I'm thinking about selling and putting that money in the bank before the market goes down again. Should I?"

When delving into the world of real estate and investment property, there are many terms that will come up that require further explanation. Whether you've never heard the phrase 'home equity' before or you have a little familiarity, here are the ins and out of what it means and how this asset can help your financial outlook. All About Home Equity Essentially, home equity refers to your portion of...