Real Estate and Finance

Should you buy or sell a house during the coronavirus pandemic?

In an economy hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, impacts to the housing market aren’t cut-and-dried. Demand for homes appeared to drop along with sales in March, but home prices have risen. What does this mean for the average homebuyer or seller? Gary Pivo, a professor of real estate… Read more »

Concerned about see-sawing mortgage rates? Borrowers have options

While mortgage interest rates remain near historic lows, they had been slowly rising over the third quarter of 2018, increasing the cost of 30-year loans for borrowers. If rates rise again, home buyers have other options to consider: an adjustable rate mortgage (ARM), which provides an initial lower monthly… Read more »

Home-buying tips for first-timers, old-timers

(BPT) — Whether you are buying a home for the first time or you are just looking for an upgrade, it is never a bad idea to arm yourself with tips that can make your search go from overwhelming to enjoyable. Rather than learning the hard way about hidden expenses… Read more »

How much do you need for a down payment?

(BPT) — It’s a common misconception that a 20 percent down payment is required to buy a home. Let’s face it, a 20 percent down payment is a lot of money, and often the largest obstacle for homeownership, especially for first-time buyers. You can qualify for a conventional mortgage… Read more »