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House-poor can easily turn to house-less
June 22, 2024
Our friends made a strategic decision almost three months ago: They went to a five-year fixed-rate mortgage from the floating rate they had been enjoying, one that carried an interest rate of just 1.25%, but had risen to 1.75%. They are now locked in at 3.74%, which is well below the bank posted rate of 6.25% and below the 4.25% floating rate they ...
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Paid off home, now how to get title?
June 20, 2024
Q: I live in Southern California and paid off my home. I received "Substitution of Trustee and full reconveyance" that was recorded in my county in June 2007. Is there some other document that I should receive indicating title, deed or ownership of my property? I received an ad from a private company indicating they would assist for a fee to ...
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Extra payment to principal may not dent monthly payments
June 19, 2024
Many borrowers would like a mortgage on which the monthly payment would drop following a large payment to principal. They may have highly irregular income, or they may anticipate coming into a large sum of money from a bonus, bequest or insurance settlement.
Mortgages fall into four categories with regard to how responsive they are to this ...
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Free storage
June 18, 2024
Staying organized is always a challenge. Stuff collects and gets out of hand.
There are lots of everyday throw-away items you can use to stay organized. Get creative in your search. Instead of looking at an object's label, look at its size and shape. Match that to what you're trying to store and you've got a winning combination. You'll be able ...
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INCREASING YOUR HOME'S VALUE
June 16, 2024
Making the most of your dollars is always a smart idea. Whether you're purchasing a new car, a new wardrobe or the latest technology tool, you want to be sure this is something that really makes a difference in your life – something of real value. Even trivial purchases should bring you a measure of joy that makes it worthwhile.
Never is this ...
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Turn, turn, turn
June 16, 2024
One afternoon last week, three hours apart, I met with two couples, both of whom read this blog. As it turned out, they both wanted financial help.
The young, urban couple – he’s in IT, she’s in HR – rent a one-bedroom condo and are shopping for a home. But not fast. When they do, I was told, it will be in the $700,000 range. They have $82,000 ...
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WHAT TO DO?
June 15, 2024
When your house sits on the market for a while, it's a real cause for concern. You may have a new job to go to or some other lifestyle change that makes it necessary to move on and inconvenient to stay. Having a good real estate professional on your team is your first line of action. But there are some additional things you can do to get that ...
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Two common home buying mistakes
June 14, 2024
Buying a home is serious business. It's a long term commitment and probably the most money you'll ever spend for anything in your lifetime. Avoiding two of the most common mistakes will lead to a more satisfactory outcome.
Mistake number one is shopping without your own representative. A buyers agent will have your best interests in mind. So, ...
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A Look at Your Landscaping
June 13, 2024
Getting the House Ready to Sell
Landscaping
Is your landscaping at least average for the neighborhood? If it is not, buy a few bushes and plant them. Do not put in trees. Mature trees are expensive, and you will not get back your investment. Also, immature trees do not really add much to the appearance value of the home.
If you have an ...
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6 tips to a successful home sale
June 13, 2024
Today's housing markets are good and bad news for home sellers: Sales have picked up, but buyers still have the upper hand.
That means sellers who are determined to get more - or at least give up less - need to be well-prepared for the negotiation that can result in a deal. Here are six tips:
1. Stand out. Homes that are decluttered, ...
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