Here's Why Your Debt-to-Income Ratio Matters

Sure, it's math. But it can make or break your home loan application.

3 Weird Things You Can Ignore When Home Shopping

Ugly paint colors? Treadmill in the kitchen? Creepy family portraits in every room? Don't let it bug you.

Luxury Home Sales & the Impact of the Stock Market

Can You Get Out of a Reverse Mortgage?

When homeowners hit 62 years, they can turn their home into cash with a reverse mortgage if they own the home free and clear. A reverse mortgage lets owners borrow against the value of their home, but unlike a home equity loan, the mortgage does not become payable until the owners die or move away.

How to Locate a Ceiling Beam

Just as wall studs support shelving or heavy decor, the beams in your ceiling can support new light fixtures, fans or decorations. Unless they are exposed as architecture details, structural ceiling beams -- called joists -- are hidden by paint and plaster. Joists are usually spaced at the same intervals as studs -- 16 or 24 inches apart. If your ceiling is flat and of a consistent density, a stud finder is your best bet; if you have a popcorn ceiling or other embellishments, you might have to resort to more complicated options.

Split Decision: Buying Real Estate After Your Divorce

Before you leap into a new bachelor or bachelorette pad, consider these four factors.

How to Plan an Outdoor Movie Night

See the stars in your own backyard ... on your DIY big screen, that is.

More Home Buyers Say: Give Me an ‘Agrihood’

“All of a sudden, agrihoods have become a hot commodity in residential development,” says a senior resident fellow from the Urban Land...

What if No One Wants to Service More Loans? Impact on Consumers?

Posted To: Pipeline PressFor laughs all you have to do is read the news, and this story will fit right in with anyone’s 5th grade sense of humor. The Union Recorder reports on a story about Ellen DeGeneres being sued due to her making jokes about a Georgia Realtor's name . Some might ask, how can a person refrain from it? I won't, however, and leave it up to the reader to form their own impression. In other, not-so-funny, legal news, the former president and CEO of Virginia's Monarch Mortgage was indicted this week. Are storm clouds gathering in the market for mortgage servicing rights? Some industry insiders are suggesting that it could be the perfect storm of the unintended consequences of regulation and a supply & demand mismatch. During the Viet Nam War, a popular bumper sticker asked, "What if they gave...(read more)Forward this article via email: Send a copy of this story to someone you know that may want to read it.

How to Tackle Downsizing in 5 Steps

Don't let the thought of downsizing strike terror in your heart. All you need is a smart strategy ... and we've got it!

Creative Ideas For Landscaping

Ideas for creating interesting landscapes are as varied as nature itself. You can use landscaping to express your artistic side, complement your house, enhance your property value or create opportunities to use your green thumb. Decide what statement you want to make and have fun. Don’t be afraid to experiment. Think of it as a haircut for your lawn; if you make a mistake, it will grow back.

A Big Housing Problem Requires Clever, Collaborative Solutions

To address complex, societal problems, organizations must recognize the expertise of others and collaborate together on shared goals and strategies. That’s why AARP Foundation and HUD’s Office of Policy Development and Research have signed a Memorandum of Understanding promoting coordinated research and initiatives to address the problem of inadequate, unaffordable housing for low-income older adults. […]