It is a common misconception that a 20 percent down payment is required to buy a home. Advice to wait and save a large down payment is often based on the theory that the cost of mortgage insurance (MI), which is required when you buy with a smaller down payment, should be avoided. This may…
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Getting married means a whole lot of changes, including combining households, not the least of which could be moving to a new house or apartment. Whether you’re getting a brand-new place for the both of you or one of you is shifting all your earthly possessions to join your spouse, it’s a good idea to take…
DetailsToday’s tile trends extend so far beyond their traditional use as a staple of bathroom design that you may not recognize them. While once the most attractive and innovative tiles had to be imported, contemporary handcrafted tile and stone products for home design are now being made right here in the United States. Homeowners and…
DetailsIf your new home is among the one million or so being built in the U.S. this year, congratulations! You’ll have the chance to customize it to your dream home preferences. One feature that should be at the top of your priority list is the best possible fire protection for yourself and your loved ones:…
DetailsMortgage Insurance: Added Cost to Homebuying or Smart Way to Get In? The homebuying process is exciting, but can also seem fraught with added costs, like a home inspection, title insurance, and closing costs. And if you can’t afford a full 20 percent down payment on a conventional home loan, then you will most likely…
DetailsDo you own an older home, and are you looking to make upgrades that matter? Strategic enhancements not only increase a property’s resale value but also its functionality. This is particularly important among young homebuyers. Sixty-eight percent of millennial homebuyers reported buyer’s remorse, according to a Bank of the West survey. Today’s high home prices in…
DetailsNobody bats an eyelash when it comes to buying homeowner’s insurance, but many homeowners don’t apply that same logic to planning for home repairs — not what might happen, but what will happen. Only a fraction of the 120 million U.S. households today is protected by a home services plan, also known as a home…
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