Dear Clients and Friends, Starting in October 2019, some home sales under $400,000 no longer require an appraisal. Previously, appraisals were not required on home sales of $250,000 and below. But federal regulators just approved a rule that will raise the threshold for the … [Read more...] about Appraisals no longer on certain home sales
Real Estate
Avoid problems with your mortgage application: Tips for applicants
Dear Clients and Friends, There are all sorts of stories out there about predatory lenders being sued for fraud against homebuyers. On the other side of the coin, however, a study by CoreLogic found that fraud by mortgage applicants is also rising. According to the study, … [Read more...] about Avoid problems with your mortgage application: Tips for applicants
How home selling has shifted in the past decade
Dear Clients and Friends, If you haven’t sold a home in the last 10 years, you might be surprised by how much trends and expectations have changed over the years. Here are some leading factors changing the home sale market today: Real estate sites: More than 90 percent of … [Read more...] about How home selling has shifted in the past decade
Challenging a quitclaim deed
Dear Clients and Friends, The next-door neighbors convinced your aunt to sign over the deed to her house. Your stepfather’s long-lost son came to visit and walked away with a quitclaim deed to the family cottage. What do you do when you suspect someone did something “fishy” to … [Read more...] about Challenging a quitclaim deed
Selling a property “as is” still requires an honest seller
Dear Clients and Friends, A buyer who discovered that her new house was contaminated with mold can sue the seller, even though the house was purchased “as is” and the seller specifically said there might be mold in it, according to the Wisconsin Court of Appeals. Catherine … [Read more...] about Selling a property “as is” still requires an honest seller
Seven things sellers do that can kill a sale
Dear Clients and Friends, The home market is still hot, but that doesn’t mean sellers can be demanding prima donnas. Certain mistakes can turn buyers off, cost you thousands of dollars, or even squash a deal altogether. Here are some of the top things that could dissuade … [Read more...] about Seven things sellers do that can kill a sale
