Is the HELOC Back? (And Is It Right for You?)
By Kathleen Willcox Aug 15, 2022 (Getty Images) With today’s rising inflation and interest rate hikes, potential borrowers are looking for new, less costly ways to access credit. Until recently, a home equity line of credit, or HELOC, was hard to come by. But as mortgage rates [...]
‘Did I Miss the Top of the Market To Sell?’ What To Consider If You’ve Been Waiting in the Wings
By Kathleen Willcox Aug 9, 2022 (Getty Images) Over the past couple of years, buying and selling a house has become a form of gladiatorial combat, defined by adrenaline-driven bidding wars and heart-pumping prices. Most of the time, sellers were giddy and buyers were dejected. Then [...]
Looking To Buy a Home in a Fire-Prone Area? Here’s What To Know
By Kathleen Willcox Aug 11, 2022 (Ted Soqui / Corbis via Getty Images) The threat of wildfires is a dangerous reality in rural and more populous areas alike. And while homebuyers likely know the risk of settling down in a fire-prone area, many may not have a choice. [...]
How Much Is Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate? Plus, How To Avoid It
By Margaret Heidenry Aug 6, 2022 (Getty Images) Capital gains tax is the income tax you pay on gains from selling capital assets—including real estate. So if you have sold or are selling a house, what does this mean for you? If you sell your home for [...]
Contingent vs. Under Contract: What Do All Those Real Estate Status Codes and Listing Terms Really Mean?
By Margaret Heidenry Aug 7, 2022 (IPGGutenbergUKLtd/iStock) Contingent vs. under contract? Call it what you will—jargon, shorthand, lingo—but every industry, including the real estate world, has its own language, a collection of terms that are essential to understand if you hope to play ball. And the [...]
What Does Renter’s Insurance Cover?
By Angela Colley Aug 5, 2022 (John Tlumacki / The Boston Globe via Getty Images) Renter’s insurance is an important safety net. Having a policy can save you from big expenses—and even bigger headaches—if disaster strikes your rental. But what are those disasters, exactly? Does renter’s [...]
