Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is often a necessary expense that companies buying a house with less than 20 percent down in cash.  PMI allows you to purchase a home with a small down payment and helps the lender resell your mortgage the secondary market to an institutional investor.
PMI is additional insurance designed to protect the […]

1. What is Asbestos?
Asbestos is a silicate mineral made up of tiny fibres. When it is disturbed, it produces a dust that contains asbestos fibres. Fibres breathed into the lungs can cause a range of health problems including asbestosis, lung cancer and mesothelioma.
2. How Can I Identify Asbestos?
Asbestos has no odor and can not be […]

Larger, more remote tracts offer opportunities for hunting, but even an acre or less can be enhanced by the presence of wildlife. The aesthetic appeal of nature’s creatures can be subtle or dramatic. A glimpse of a deer browsing at dawn, the cheerful melody of songbirds, butterflies flitting among the flowers, rare animal discoveries - […]

What are the consequences of implementing a short sale?
1. Expect derogatory credit. In the vast majority of short sale situations the seller maintains a satisfactory credit rating however, derogatory credit is a possibility.
2. Expect tax liability. A new IRS law is currently pending which will require the issuance of a 1099C for the […]

If you live in a house or apartment built before 1978, you and your family could be exposed to lead-based paint and its health risks. Such paint is a hazard if chipped, cracked or turning chalky. Painting over it won’t eliminate the problem.
If you think there may be lead-based paint in or around your home, […]

In addition to the damage they can do to stored foodstuff and other items, creating unsanitary conditions and spreading disease, mice are among the top culprits in many house fires because they chew on electrical wires inside the walls.
 

Follow these 6 recommendations to establish a mouse-free zone:

1. Check your home every spring for points where […]

Buying of real estate property is a very tricky and risky investment to make, especially if you are not knowledgeable enough about the market, or about the value of your real estate property.
A lot of people do not know exactly how to determine the value of their property, and end up either […]

Relocating is an exciting endeavor for many reasons. You may relocate for a better job, a new opportunity like a bigger living space, or even a new life. You might be really looking forward to moving to a new place, meeting new people, and new experiences. But if it is not carefully […]

One of the biggest questions regarding real estate is the need for a down payment. People who have purchased homes before know the ins and outs of the game and they know that a down payment makes the whole process much easier. A down payment of 20% not only gives you far […]

Beware of the Dangers of the “Short Sale” As the real estate market has slowed down, you are faced with two different types of sellers. There are those who want to sell, whether they think they are at the “peak” of the market or simply want to move […]