Category: Realtor.com

Mortgage Declined? Here’s What to Do

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No one likes to be told “no.” (Rejection hurts—we get it.) And having your application for a mortgage declined is particularly devastating, because it throws your entire dream of homeownership into doubt. Still, just because one lender rejects your mortgage application doesn’t mean you’ll never be able to buy a home.

So if you’ve been denied a home loan, the first step is to ask the lender why you had your mortgage declined, to know what you’re up against. Todd Sheinin, mortgage lender and chief operating officer at New America Financial in Gaithersburg, MD, says there are three main reasons why people get rejected.

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Standard vs. Itemized Deduction: Which One Should You Take?

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Standard versus itemized deduction: Which one should you claim? This question may be weighing heavily on your mind as you prepare to file your taxes—and especially since the standard deduction once again changed in 2020, the final change to the new tax reforms that took effect in 2018. So let this guide help you decide which deduction is better for you.

Itemizing your deductions—particularly if you’ve bought a home recently—could save you major bucks when you file. But, more than ever, you need to understand what you can and can’t do tax-wise. We’ll break it down to help you make the decision on whether to select a standard or an itemized deduction.

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5 Crucial Questions to Ask Before You Flip Your First House

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Thanks to the seemingly endless glut of home improvement TV shows like “Flip or Flop,” “Masters of Flip,” and “Rehab Addict,” it seems like flipping houses has become America’s favorite pastime.

But for the inexperienced, house flipping can be a dangerous and costly game. Make one wrong move, and that “great investment” can turn into a monumental mistake.

Don’t want your first flip to be a flop? Here are five questions you might never think to ask yourself, but totally should, before you begin flipping houses.

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You’d Better Ask These 5 Crucial Questions Before You Buy a House

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No matter how many episodes of “House Hunters” or “Love It or List It” you’ve watched, buying a home inevitably comes with surprises. Though a sharp real estate agent will help you navigate these hidden challenges, before you start shopping for a house, you should take account of some important things that you probably haven’t considered.

Curious what you might be missing? Here are five questions you’d never think to ask yourself but totally should before buying a home.

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6 Things You’ll Love—and Hate—About Buying a Home This Spring

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Welcome to the best—and worst—time to buy a home: spring! Yes, it’s peak home-buying season. However, it’s no bed of roses.

Knowing what to expect is half the battle, and can help you use these highs and lows to your advantage!

So consider this an essential prep course. Ready to dive into the best of times and the worst of times for home buying?

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I’ve Discovered the Secret to Domestic Bliss: His-and-Her Bathrooms

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After living with my fiancée, Alex, for the past six months, I’m convinced I’ve found the secret to living in harmony: separate bathrooms.

Don’t get me wrong: I love living with Alex. Aside from experiencing a few growing pains on my end (read: I’m still learning how to cook without a microwave), cohabiting has been a breeze because we don’t share a bathroom.

Allow me to explain all the reasons, and I think you’ll agree it’s the right choice.

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Buying a Home? 7 Unsettling Emotions You’ll Feel Before the Deal Is Done

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Buying a home may be a financial transaction, but it’s a highly emotional one, too. And while there are highs—like the moments you know you’ve found The One or you get the keys to your new home—you may also go through periods of high anxiety or hopelessness before you close the deal.

Ask any homeowner about their experiences buying a home, and you’ll hear a similar refrain: Purchasing property is utterly nerve-racking. With so many moving pieces, buying a home can feel like a high-stakes juggling act—only you don’t have time to practice.

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How to Get a Moving Estimate That Won’t Become a Moving Target

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Newsflash: Moving stinks—and it can be even worse when you don’t know how to get a moving estimate you can trust. This can lead to massive misunderstandings, when movers quote you one price before you move, and whole different (and much higher!) number after it’s over.

So what gives?

The fact is, there are many ways to get a moving estimate, and each come with their pros and cons. Here’s what you need to know to get an estimate that won’t become a moving target.

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The Not-So-Private Hell of Family Life in a Home With One Bathroom, Revealed

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With real estate listings, the number of bedrooms is important, of course, but here’s a close second: the number of bathrooms.

Let’s face it: In a pinch, siblings can share a bedroom and guests can crash on a couch. But only one individual can use the loo at a time.

And this is why a home with just one bathroom makes many recoil in horror.

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Demolition Daze: 7 Ways to Botch Renovating a Home

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“Renovating my house was a piece of cake,” said no one ever. Indeed, even seemingly simple projects, like installing a screen door, staining hardwood floors, or refacing kitchen cabinets, can surprise homeowners with unexpected challenges and ever-escalating costs. And the problems multiply if you make certain all-too-common mistakes.

We’re not trying to discourage you from renovating your house, but if you’re planning to give your house a face-lift, be sure to avoid these seven renovation fumbles.

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