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
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...]
Why Owning a Home is a Bad Investment — But Often a Smart Decision
Experiential learning is always better than any lesson from a book. But when it comes to personal finance, too often the experience comes at the price of losing or spending way too much money. This past summer, my wife and I decided to finish our … [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...]
Money Mentors: Erin Cerat on Paying Cash, Babysitting on the Side, and Buying a Home
For this “Money Mentor” post, I wanted to bring attention to someone who’s doing the little things right. It’s really a chance to ask a thrifty friend — the one who seems like she always has it together — the secrets to her … [Read more...]
What Percentage of Income Can You Afford for Mortgage Payments?
This question often comes up among first-time home buyers: What percentage of my monthly income can I afford to spend on my mortgage payment? Does that percentage include property taxes? Private mortgage insurance (PMI) or homeowners … [Read more...]
Confessions of a New Homeowner: Expenses We Expected and Didn’t Expect
My husband and I closed on our first house on March 9, 2012. Since then, it has been a whirlwind of new homeowner activities. Painting, fixing, landscaping, neighbor-meeting, decorating ... and spending. Lots of spending. We rented for several … [Read more...]

