Key Takeaways Mortgage insurance lets you buy a home with less than 20% down by protecting the lender if you stop making payments — but you remain on the hook for the loan itself. Conventional loans use Private Mortgage Insurance (PMI), which can be cancelled once your loan balance hits 80% of the original home […]
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Key Takeaways Real-estate closing rules vary by state — some require attorneys, some allow title companies, and a handful require title and escrow services to be handled by separate firms. In the DMV, both Maryland and Virginia allow either attorneys or title companies to handle settlements; the District of Columbia is the same. Attorney-state examples
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Key Takeaways Curb appeal improvements with the highest ROI: fresh mulch, trimmed hedges, a painted front door, updated house numbers, and pressure-washed driveway and walkways. Landscaping investments return roughly 100–150% of cost at sale, making them among the highest-ROI home improvement categories. First impressions form within seconds — buyers who don’t like what they see
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Key Takeaways FSBO (For Sale By Owner) sellers save the listing agent commission but take on marketing, negotiation, contract management, and legal compliance responsibilities themselves. FSBO properties must still use a title company for the closing — the title search, title insurance, and settlement are not services the seller can perform themselves. Pricing is the
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Key Takeaways A CLUE Report (Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange) lists all home insurance claims filed on a property over the past seven years. Insurance underwriters use CLUE Reports to set premiums and decide whether to issue a policy at all. Buyers can request a CLUE Report on a home before they buy to spot hidden
What is a CLUE Report? And How to Order One. Read More »
Key Takeaways Pre-foreclosure begins when a lender files a Notice of Default (or lis pendens) after 3–6 months of missed payments — the borrower still owns the property. During pre-foreclosure, borrowers have options: reinstatement (pay all arrears), loan modification, short sale, or deed in lieu of foreclosure. A short sale in pre-foreclosure requires lender approval
What Does Pre-Foreclosure Mean? And How to Avoid It. Read More »
Key Takeaways Off-market properties are not listed on the MLS — they’re sold through agent networks, direct-to-seller marketing, auction platforms, or pocket listing relationships. Advantages for buyers: less competition, more time for due diligence, and potentially better pricing when a seller values privacy or speed over maximum exposure. The MLS exists to provide maximum exposure
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Key Takeaways An escalation clause automatically increases your offer above a competing offer by a set increment, up to a maximum — designed to win multiple-offer situations without overpaying. Escalation clauses require the seller to provide proof of the competing offer that triggered the escalation — without this, you can challenge an unsubstantiated claim. The
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Key Takeaways Capital gains on real estate are the profit above your adjusted cost basis — purchase price plus improvements made over the ownership period minus depreciation taken. The primary residence exclusion allows single filers to exclude up to $250,000 in gains ($500,000 for married filing jointly) if the home was owned and lived in
What is Capital Gains Tax on Real Estate? How Do I Calculate It? Read More »
Key Takeaways FSBO sellers typically net 5–6% less than agent-listed properties — the commission savings are often offset by lower sale prices, longer time on market, and transaction errors. The highest-ROI investments for FSBO sellers: professional photography, MLS access (through a flat-fee listing service), and a pre-listing inspection. FSBO sellers must handle all negotiations, disclosures,
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