Real Estate Archives

Why I Am Considering Refinancing My Mortgage

When I was in the bank the other day, the teller was telling me about the new rates on a 30 year fixed rate mortgage and how I could save by refinancing my current loan. So, it got me thinking about my mortgage. So, I thought that I would consider refinancing my mortgage. Here are a few things to consider when looking at refinancing and what I look for when refinancing my mortgage. With interest rates on the rise, lock in a low, fixed rate with Figure’s Home Equity Loan Plus today. Refinancing a Mortgage My Current Interest Rate When my wife and I bought our home in December 2008, we received a 30 year fixed rate mortgage from our … Read more

Should Property Investors be Concerned About Anti-Airbnb Laws and Regulations?

by Hank Coleman

With Airbnb on the rise, the laws and regulations that ban Airbnbs are also getting tougher. Here’s everything you need to know about new Airbnb laws.

Buying Your First Home? 5 Steps to Take to Get Ready

by Jeremy

Looking for your first house is an exciting time. Whether you’re moving from your parent’s place, going from an apartment into a home, or you’re newlyweds looking at your first property together as a couple, home-buying is thrilling. If you’re not prepared though, looking at homes can be overwhelming, disappointing, and discouraging. There are steps to take before you look, during the process of viewing homes, and while you put in your offer. All of these steps help to ensure that your home-buying experience goes as smoothly as possible. To help you out, here are five steps to take when you’re buying your first home. Determine What Mortgage You Can Afford Before you begin to look at houses, you should … Read more

Should You Save For a House or Save for Retirement When You Have Student Loans?

by Hank Coleman

The student loan debt bubble recently approached the $1.5 trillion mark, with few signs of slowing down. This problem isn’t isolated to recent college grads and 30-somethings, either. Parents and grandparents are on the hook for millions of loans both as current and former students themselves or co-signers of loans. Even more alarming is the fact that 40% of the 65+ year-old borrowers or co-signers are in default on their loans. The personal and societal consequences of student loan debt, combined with the problem of people not saving enough for retirement, inevitably lead to a pretty gloomy outlook for the future of our economy. But it’s not enough to simply talk about these major problems, we need to talk about … Read more

Review of Cozy: Free Property Management Software

by Hank Coleman

Although owning and renting out properties can be a lucrative opportunity, being a landlord can be incredibly challenging. Dealing with unexpected property maintenance problems, unpredictable tenants, and the occasional prolonged vacancy are the banes of many landlords’ existences. But, these issues shouldn’t get in the way of growing your rental income as a property owner. Fortunately, there’s an easy way to avoid these common mistakes made by new landlords, and that’s the Cozy app. Launched in 2012, Cozy has become the premier app for landlords who want to stay organized, communicate more effectively with tenants, and receive rent payments in more convenient ways. Even if you’ve been renting out properties for years now, switching from your current way of managing … Read more

How to Evaluate the Rate of Return on Rental Property

by Hank Coleman

Being a landlord is a great way to build your wealth and increase your net worth. In fact, Money magazine listed becoming a landlord as one of its highest-rated ways for the average American citizen to become a millionaire. But, how do you calculate a return on rental property? Even after the housing bubble and credit crisis that hit the United States in 2008, real estate is a great way to increase your wealth, save for retirement, and supplement your income with a new stream. So, how do you go about evaluating if rental real estate is right for you? There are a few things that you need to consider when evaluating your options on the return on rental property … Read more