Encroachment in real estate is when a homeowner builds on or uses a portion of a neighbors property without permission. This includes fences, walls, and sheds, trees and gardens, or other landscaping that grows over or is built across the property lines. An encroachment doesn’t always have to be something you can see either. One …
The chain of title is a record of all property owners from the original to the current one, and the transactions that have taken place. It is where you can look to see who has owned the property and how it was transferred. This is the first place to look if there are any claims …
The Chain of Title and How it Impacts Real Estate Ownership Read More »
A habendum clause is a section in a real estate deed that specifies the details of a property transfer. Included in this portion are the properties transferred, the transfer recipient, and the transfer period’s length. There’s a good chance you’ll also find the designated heir or heirs who will inherit this asset. This section of …
If you have no other way to access your land by vehicle except your neighbor’s driveway, then you have discovered an easement appurtenant. An easement appurtenant is the right to use a portion of another person’s adjoining property for a specific purpose, like a drainage easement that allows you to divert water onto or through …
An Easy-to-Understand Guide to Easement Appurtenant Read More »
Adverse possession is when somebody from a neighbor to a trespasser occupies and uses your land without permission, and then gains legal ownership by meeting certain requirements. This can occur on just a few feet of the land, or even acres of property. The most common causes of someone taking your land through adverse possession …
A life estate is a legal arrangement where the owner of a property (the grantor) gives the house, structures and/or land to another person while retaining the right to live and use it while they remain alive. Life estates are a great way for people who are aging, or that have terminal illnesses to gift …
The term “mortgage refinancing” does not have to be intimidating. It’s exciting as a mortgage refinance can both save you money and potentially speed up the time to when you fully own your home. And that is what this post is about. Below you’ll learn everything from what mortgage refinancing is to when it is …
What Mortgage Refinancing Is and Is It Right for You? Read More »
An adjustable rate mortgage (ARM) is a home loan where the interest rate adjusts over time. Adjustable rate mortgages usually start with an interest rate lower than fixed rate mortgages, but that initial low interest rate doesn’t last forever. Because the rate is not set in stone, it is called an adjustable rate mortgage. While …
Choosing between VA renovation and traditional home renovation loans, or a VA loan in general doesn’t have to be tricky. It all depends on your situation and needs. For example, VA renovation loans allow you to purchase property and rehab it where some traditional home renovation loans don’t allow you to buy the land. And …
How to Know if a VA Renovation Loan is the Right Choice Read More »
An accessory dwelling unit (ADU) is an additional living space located on your property that is furnished with its own kitchen, living area, and separate entrance. Unlike a stand alone home, ADUs do not have a separate address, and in the US you cannot sell it on its own. And unlike multi-family structures including fourplexes, …
