Question of the Day

July 26, 2013

Q: How Do You Decide Whether to Add on to an Existing Home or Purchase a New One?

A: There are a few things to consider, including cost, individual needs, and what will add value down the road.  Also important: your emotional attachment to the existing home.

As designer and builder Philip S. Wenz, the author of Adding to a House: Planning, Design & Construction, notes, an addition …

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May 29, 2013

Q: How Can I Finance Work Needed on a Fixer-upper?

A: According to the Millennial Housing Commission, few lenders are willing to administer home improvement loans. Most prefer to make home equity loans or unsecured consumer loans because they are easier to manage.  Home improvement loans usually require inspections and irregular draws on the loan amount as work is completed …

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April 15, 2013

Q: What Guidelines Should I Follow to Find a Contractor?

A: Always exercise caution and be comfortable and confident about your final decision. This means selecting a competent and reliable contractor with a track record who can complete the job without hassles or negative consequences. What you can do:

  • Get word-of-mouth referrals. Ask friends, family, co-workers and neighbors for the …
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Nov. 9, 2012

Question: What causes a foreclosure?

A:
A lender decides to foreclose on, or repossess, a property when the
owner fails to pay the mortgage. Unfortunately, thousands of homes end
up in foreclosure every year.  

Many
people lose their homes due to job loss, credit problems, divorce,
unexpected expenses, and during periods of economic instability …
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Nov. 7, 2012

Q: What should I take into account when buying a new home?

A: You can find out more about an existing property and neighborhood before you buy than you can a new home in a newly developed community.

When the home is on the outskirts of town, ask the developer about future access to public transit, entertainment venues, shopping centers, churches, and …

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Oct. 26, 2012

Q: Does the Government offer Assistance with Home Improvements?

A: Yes. Two very popular programs offered by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) include the Title 1 Home Improvement Loan and the Section 203(k) Program. In the first program, HUD insures the loan up to $25,000 for a single-family house to cover alterations, repairs, and …

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Oct. 19, 2012

Q: What can I do to minimize chaos, danger and stress once a home improvement project has begun?

A: Plan ahead. Since your home will become a worksite once the remodeling begins, inconveniences will arise that can be minimized with a little planning. Begin by having a frank discussion with the contractor to set guidelines and develop a clear understanding upfront about the various project stages and the …

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Oct. 11, 2012

Q: Can a home be sold for less than its mortgage?

A: Sometimes. But it is a complicated process and a lot will depend on the lender.
This process is called a “short sale,” which occurs when a lender agrees to write off the portion of a mortgage that's higher than the value of a home. But, usually, a …

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Sept. 28, 2012

Q: How Do You Decide whether to Add on to an Existing Home or Purchase a New One?

A: There are a few things to consider, including cost, individual needs, and what will add value down the road. Also important: your emotional attachment to the existing home.
As designer and builder Philip S. Wenz, the author of Adding to a House: Planning, Design & Construction, notes, an addition …

View More
Sept. 27, 2012

Question: What else should I take into account when buying a new home?

A: You can find out more about an existing property and neighborhood before you buy than you can a new home in a newly developed community.

When the home is on the outskirts of town, ask the developer about future access to public transit, entertainment venues, shopping centers, churches, and …

View More