Voters are very upset about inflation – and about 60% of them blame President Trump for today’s high grocery prices and inflation in general (about 3.0% per the last CPI reading). Most voters do not hold significant levels of assets (which rise with inflation), so high inflation rates are particularly painful for […]

A home appraisal is a key part of buying or refinancing a home, but many buyers are unsure how much it costs or what the process includes. This in-depth guide explains average home appraisal costs, what factors influence the fee, who pays for it, and how appraisals impact your mortgage approval. Learn what an […]

Understanding property taxes in Worcester County Massachusetts is essential for homeowners and buyers across its many cities and towns. This guide explains how property values are assessed by local municipalities, how tax bills are calculated, and why tax rates vary significantly from one community to another. It also […]

In 1999, my wife Heejin started a mortgage company (long before we were married) – and everything went wrong. She went all in too – large office, new furniture, office equipment, dozens of new hires, elaborate phone system, expensive CRM, etc. Not long after she started, though: (1) the dotcom crash hit, stalling […]

Understanding property taxes in Middlesex County Massachusetts is essential for homeowners and buyers across its many cities and towns. This guide explains how local municipalities assess property values, how tax bills are calculated, and why tax rates vary so widely from one community to another. It also breaks down […]

A quit claim deed is one of the simplest ways to transfer ownership of real property, especially between trusted parties like family members or spouses. While it can quickly update title after marriage, divorce, or estate planning changes, a quit claim deed does not remove anyone from a mortgage or guarantee a clear […]

The government was shut down for a record 43 days and … the mortgage and real estate industries hardly noticed. We had one flood insurance issue at JVM, but our buyer was able to find private flood insurance that actually turned out to be cheaper. What was most notable to me was how steady interest rates were during […]

A home equity line of credit, or HELOC, lets you tap into your home’s value for flexible financing. This guide explains how a HELOC works, what to expect during the draw and repayment periods, and how factors like interest rates and credit score influence your options. Discover practical ways to use your home’s […]

Understanding property taxes in Bannock County, Idaho is essential for every homeowner and buyer. This comprehensive guide explains how property values are assessed each year, how tax bills are calculated, and what levy rates mean for your total tax amount. It also outlines all key deadlines for paying your taxes, the […]

We have been crushing the dreams of homebuyers all week… And – it’s not because we want to or because we’re doing something wrong. It is solely because we are telling them the truth: Fannie Mae’s removal of its 620 minimum credit score requirement will not help about 98% of borrowers with scores under 620. […]