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 Fixed-rate mortgages offer payment certainty for the loan’s full term; adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) start lower but reprice after the initial fixed period. ARMs are most advantageous when you plan to sell or refinance before the adjustment period begins — typically 5, 7, or 10 years. In a rising rate environment, locking in a
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Key Takeaways VRBO and Airbnb have different fee structures, traveler demographics, and property type fit — Airbnb skews urban/shared spaces, VRBO skews vacation homes and whole-unit rentals. Short-term rental regulations vary dramatically by jurisdiction — check local zoning, HOA rules, and municipal licensing requirements before purchasing a property for STR use. STR income is less
VRBO vs. Airbnb: Key Differences for Real Estate Investors Read More »
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 Owner’s Title Insurance is a one-time premium that protects against four common (and often hidden) title problems for as long as you own the home. Outstanding liens — including unpaid debts from prior owners — can halt your sale or refinance unless they are paid off and released. Easements and encroachments give neighbors
Four Terrifying Title Issues Homeowners Can Avoid with Title Insurance Read More »
Key Takeaways Title insurance protects ownership of the land; homeowner’s insurance protects the structure, contents, and personal liability. Most lenders require homeowner’s insurance as a condition of financing; payments usually run through your escrow account each month. A home warranty (optional, $430–$820/year) covers repair and replacement of major appliances and systems — especially useful for
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Key Takeaways Encroachment occurs when a structure or improvement (fence, driveway, building) extends beyond a property line onto a neighboring parcel. Encroachments are discovered during a property survey — not always during a title search — which is why surveys are recommended even when not required. Resolution options include a boundary line agreement, purchasing an
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Key Takeaways The chain of title is the recorded history of every owner and document that has affected a property — deeds, mortgages, easements, liens, plat maps, and title insurance policies. A break in the chain (forged signature, missing recording, unreleased lien, undisclosed heir) can let a third party claim your land years after closing.
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Key Takeaways The habendum clause is the “to have and to hold” section of a deed that defines exactly what the new owner is receiving and for how long. Common qualifiers: fee simple absolute (full ownership forever) versus a life estate (ownership ends at the named person’s death). A habendum clause may be unenforceable if
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Key Takeaways An easement appurtenant runs with the land — it is attached to a dominant estate (benefiting parcel) and a servient estate (burdened parcel) and transfers with both when sold. Common examples: a right-of-way across one property to access another, a shared driveway easement, or a utility corridor. Unlike a personal easement (in gross),
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