NET-ZERO ENERGY HOMES GIVE AS MUCH AS THEY GET Five home builders in four Canadian provinces recently set out to prove that it's possible to build houses that produce as much energy as they consume, using existing technology and at a reasonable price. The Net-Zero Energy (NZE) project has built 26 houses and condo units…

TAKING TITLE TO PROPERTY IS A CRITICAL DECISION When you purchase any kind of property, you must give careful thought as to how you will be taking title to that real estate. The decision you make when you first go to settlement on your house may make a significant difference — both financially and psychologically…

WHY TRUMP MORTGAGE FAILED AND WHY IT'S IMPORTANT TO YOU There has been extensive talk about what kind of president Donald Trump would make. Too much talk, if you ask some people. Yes, the Republican frontrunner is a polarizing figure, and has been long before he looked to be a lock for the nomination. Trump's…

TODAY'S HOMEOWNERS WANT MAXIMUM VALUE WITH MINIMAL UPKEEP Spending on discretionary home improvements (including kitchen and bath remodels and deck additions) rose by almost $6 billion between 2011 and 2013, according to a 2015 report compiled by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University. “Improving America's Housing — Emerging Trends in the Remodeling…

USE WINTER FOR A CAREFREE SPRING! Close More Deals – Qualify homebuyer leads fast and freeBy mid-February, many of us are “thinking Spring” even if snow continues to fall. Why not turn this longing for new beginnings into action nowand turn Spring into a joyfully carefree season? This is time management on steroids – using…

Should I buy a home while still paying student loans? I am a millennial with student loans which makes saving for a down payment on a house difficult. I am currently renting and feel like I may be throwing my money down the drain when I could be building equity. Should I consider a low…

CHANGE FOR THE BETTER IN YOUR HOA Boards of homeowner associations are often challenged to change the status quo for the better. A common scenario includes a newly elected board that promises to start enforcing rules or architectural policies. Problem is, there are HOA members that like it just fine the way it is and…

Mortgages are still getting cheaper In December, when the Federal Reserve raised rates for the first time in nearly a decade, many would-be homebuyers assumed it meant the beginning of the end for record-low mortgage rates. “This is evidence that the Federal Reserve isn't the sole determinant of U.S. mortgage rates,” said Mark Hamrick, senior…

YOUR CREDIT SCORES EXPLAINED Lenders want to give you a mortgage, but they also want to minimize their own risk. The easiest way to retard risk is by using your credit scores to make lending decisions. Credit scores are compiled separately by three consumer reporting agencies — Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union. These credit reporting…

HOME RENOVATION PROJECTS THAT PROVIDE THE BEST RETURN ON INVESTMENT It's not hard to daydream about shiny new countertops and fancy new appliances and one of those spa baths with a dozen sprayers and a chic soaker tub, but when it comes to home renovations, the sleek and sexy often take a back seat to…