Top 4 Critical Things to Know Before Buying a Home in an HOA Neighborhood

There are many misconceptions about homeowners associations (HOAs) in media and pop culture, which may inadvertently drive people away from buying a home in an HOA neighborhood that they might’ve otherwise loved living in. There are certainly some disadvantages to HOAs, but the downsides aren’t as clear-cut as you might think. Before Buying a Home in a HOA Neighborhood If you’ve considered purchasing a home in an HOA neighborhood, then here’s what you need to know before making your final decision. What is a Homeowners Association? An HOA is a not-for-profit organization designed to maintain the community and increase property values by setting minimum guidelines for neighborhood safety, exterior appearances, community amenities, and more. Some people dislike the idea of … Read more

Financial Terms to Understand Before Buying Your First House

buy a starter home

Now that you have diligently saved up for the down payment check the numbers on what you can afford and attend enough weekend open houses to know that you are ready to own a home. Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial investments we make, and there is no set age to it. You can purchase a home when you are ready, mentally and financially. Before Buying Your First House When it comes to the actual buying your first home part, it is both- exciting and overwhelming. It is a milestone, but it can also be terrifying. You will come across a whole new language of finance terms which will only add to the stress. But the … Read more

Starting Your Journey to Becoming a Real Estate Mogul

Everyone, at one point or another, has fantasized about what they would do with a million dollars. Perhaps you’d buy a ski boat and spend the summers out on the water. Maybe you’d build the best and biggest entertainment center to watch your favorite action movies and the big games. What about being a real estate mogul? Or, you might have your eyes set on something greater. That’s what former professional basketball player Luol Deng was thinking. After earning over $150 million on the court, Deng has turned to real estate where he owns over $125 million worth of properties. Becoming a property owner is also one of the “quickest” ways to become a self-made millionaire. So, why don’t more … Read more

What to Know Before You Invest in a Rental Property

How To Evaluate The Rate Of Return On Rental Property

Buying a second home may seem like an extravagance in today’s cash-strapped economy, but it can potentially become a secondary source of income. With low home prices and interest rates, this may be an ideal time to become a real estate investor. However, you’ll want to conduct your research carefully and keep the following tips in mind before you invest in real estate and sink your money into a rental or holiday property. Invest in Real Estate and Rental Property Look at Different Types of Investments Before you invest in real estate and make this significant investment, you’ll need to look at all of your options closely. Some investors look for a vacation home that they can rent out on … Read more

Top 7 Mistakes Landlords Make Starting and How to Fix Them

Save Money and Time with Your Short-Term Rentals

If you’ve recently become a landlord or are considering purchasing a second home for renting purposes, you’ve likely been introduced to a large bevy of responsibilities and duties you never expected you’d have. You can also find many mistakes landlords make. While renting out your property can be an extremely lucrative business venture, many enter the realm of rentals without proper knowledge or education on the subject and find it’s not as easy as expected. We’ve laid out the top mistakes landlords make when they run into, and the things you can do to avoid them. Top 7 Mistakes Landlords Make 1. Lease Issues Leases are the single most important thing to have completed before allowing someone to live in your … Read more

Top 6 Simple Negotiation Strategies to Help You Save Money on Rent

Save Money and Time with Your Short-Term Rentals

Whether you’re moving to a new city or you simply want to reduce your budget’s housing category, there are plenty of ways for tenants to potentially negotiate a lower monthly rate on their lease. This is best done at the beginning of a new lease or the end of one about to expire within 2-3 months. Here are some of the best strategies for securing a better price on the home you’re currently renting and save money on rent. Virtual Comparison Shopping If you’re moving soon, you’ve likely been comparison-shopping anyway. However, if your lease is up soon, then why not scope out potential options in your area (even if you’re 0% interested in leaving your current community)? Many of … Read more