Budgeting for Home Expenses: Expect the Unexpected

June 10, 2013 by 1 Comment

Americans are buying houses again. Home prices throughout the United States are expected to increase an average of 13 percent in 2013 and 2014, according to National Association of Realtors’ Chief Economist Lawrence Yun. If you’re about to … [Read more...]

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

May 20, 2013 by 1 Comment

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

May 13, 2013 by Leave a Comment

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?

April 29, 2013 by Leave a Comment

“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

April 11, 2013 by 118 Comments

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

April 9, 2013 by 6 Comments

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?

March 5, 2013 by 13 Comments

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

February 1, 2013 by

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

January 15, 2013 by

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

January 7, 2013 by

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...]

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