Real Estate
12 articles
In the market for a new home? Before you fill your calendar with open houses, download one of these home buying apps. They offer valuable insight into your local market and can help you decide whether the time is right for you to buy.
You’ve settled into your dream home, but there’s a problem. Someone else claims they own it or that the previous owner still owes them money for work done. If you have home title insurance, you can breathe a little easier. But what is it, and how much does it cost?
Some of the world’s wealthiest people use farmland to diversify their portfolios, and for good reason. The keys to farmland investing are research and getting a quality deal. Learn about the pros and cons of investing in farmland, and the different ways to do it.
Virtually every American homeowner pays real estate tax — property tax, in common parlance. Learn how local tax authorities calculate real estate property taxes and how you’re notified about what you owe.
Foreclosure properties sometimes make great bargains — emphasis on “sometimes.” They can also come with hidden pitfalls and red tape in having to work with bureaucratic bank sellers. Learn how to buy a foreclosed home using the safest process to score a bargain on real estate.
The stepped-up basis loophole is part of the tax code that applies to inherited assets. The rule allows you to avoid capital gains on assets you pass to your heirs, lessening the tax burden on your heirs when they inherit from you. Learn about the stepped-up basis loophole and what it means for you.
Property taxes are complicated, and sometimes tax assessors overestimate the value of a property and calculate taxes based on an inflated number. Not happy with your property tax bill this year? Use this general overview of the property tax assessment appeals process to prepare and file your appeal.
Buying a house requires a substantial down payment, but the balance of existing debts also affects your budget and the cost of borrowing. So how do you choose between paying off your debts and savings for a down payment? Consider these factors when deciding how to prioritize your savings.
Buyers can still sometimes score a deal with foreclosures, but foreclosed properties come with their own unique risks and drawbacks as well. Learn about how buying foreclosed homes works, the considerations you should make as a buyer, and the pros and cons of buying foreclosures.
Prospective homebuyers with bad credit face a difficult choice. Homeownership comes with plenty of perks, but it also has drawbacks. If your credit is less than perfect, should you consider buying a home — and could it actually help you get your finances back on track? Learn more here.
There are many occasions in which you may need to prove your income, whether you’re attempting to get a mortgage, auto loan, a new apartment, or a public welfare benefit. Read on to learn how to show proof of income from the most common income sources in a wide range of situations.
Everyone knows that credit card debt is “bad” debt due to the high interest rates on most consumer credit cards, while mortgage debt is often described as “good” debt. But sometimes the distinction between “good” and “bad” debt isn’t so clear-cut. In fact, because of this generalization, some people make the decision to refinance their
Trending stories
Explore Invest Money
You’re saving it. Now put it to work for your future.