When Buying, Look for Features That Add Value to Your Home

If you're buying a home, you want it to appreciate. Even if you realize your own house may not be a great investment, you still want it to hold it's value and — hopefully — to be able to sell it someday for more than you paid for it. But in real … [Read more...]

Does Somebody Really Live There? Crazy and Amazing Houses in America

As I was driving from San Diego to Los Angeles a couple of weeks ago, I saw a massive house at the very top of a huge mountain. The house was overlooking the freeway and had no other houses nearby. I wondered who lives there and what it would be like … [Read more...]

Discount Real Estate Brokerages: Worthwhile or a Scam?

“Sell your home for only 1.5% commission!” read a billboard that caught my eye recently as I drove down the freeway. As a Real Estate Broker with a family to support, my first thought was that if I made that little on every transaction, I … [Read more...]

Can My Landlord REALLY Do That? A Guide to Renter’s Rights

After the housing bubble of 2008-09, few people can say you’re “just throwing money” away by renting anymore. I talk a lot about everything home-buying on here, so it’s high time we say a bit about renting. Specifically: I want to cover … [Read more...]

The Do’s and Don’ts of Buying a New House While Working Full-Time

So you're tired of your little old lady landlord losing your rent check. And your frat boy neighbors were fun three years ago, but now their mid-week keg parties are keeping you awake. You've got the money saved to buy your first home, but there's … [Read more...]

Should You Buy a ‘Starter Home’ or Wait?

In many parts of the country, the real estate market seems to be rebounding. “As buyers seek to take advantage of record-low mortgage rates, the supply and demand imbalance threatens to further limit deals as the key spring selling season … [Read more...]

Burglary Prevention: Common Sense Advice to Avoid Becoming a Victim

If you think burglary is something that only happens in low-income neighborhoods, think again. It is a crime that can happen even in the nicest neighborhoods with white picket fences. Sure, the criminals may not live in your neighborhood, but it … [Read more...]

Renting: What You Get for $1,500 a Month

If you could live anywhere in the United States, where would you choose? If you’re reading Money Under 30 and you are in fact 20-or 30-something, you probably can’t afford a mansion, and that’s okay! Part of starting off right is living in a … [Read more...]

What Your Mortgage Interest Rate Really Means

With mortgage rates so low right now, it seems everybody is talking about what a smoking hot mortgage rate they got on their new house. But mortgage rates are tricky. It's easy to look at a 3.75 percent APR mortgage rate and say "holy cow" when, 25 … [Read more...]

When To Refinance: 3 Steps to Deciding Whether to Refinance or Not

Deciding when to refinance your home loan depends on several factors besides whether you can get a better mortgage rate than you already have. And though there are many reasons people refinance their mortgage, some are smarter financial moves than … [Read more...]