Home Buying & Rentals

Thousands of college students around the country vacate their apartments and go home in summer - why not sublet from them? A lot of people are willing to offer discounted rent, or will include utilities in the price, because they are happy to get some income rather than none for … [Read more...] about Sublet in college towns during the summer

Check the latest interest rates at Bankrate.com to see if you might want to refinance at a lower rate and/or longer term to reduce monthly costs. If you are paying PMI (private mortgage insurance) because you had less than 20% as a down payment, but you have built up that much … [Read more...] about Take advantage of new government programs to cut down your mortgage costs

Through April 30, 2010 home buyers can qualify for either an $8,000 "First-time Home Buyer Tax Credit" or $6,500 "Move-Up / Repeat Home Buyer Tax Credit" depending on their income and residence status. Tax credits are better than tax deductions because they are dollars straight … [Read more...] about Claim the tax credits you are entitled to for buying a home

You will often hear about buying "foreclosed" properties but often the best bargains can be post-foreclosure REOs. Search inventory from lenders in your area here or try the Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac sites.A LOZO expert posted this tip. … [Read more...] about Check out local REOs (Real Estate-Owned) for potential home bargains

Shorter term mortgages, such as 15 years instead of a 30-year mortgage, usually offer lower interest rates so ultimately you will pay less for your house. The downside is that your monthly payments are higher, you just make fewer of them. This is not the same as an ARM which … [Read more...] about Shorter mortgages can cost you 30% less on your home