Articles by Erik J. Martin - Page 8

Is buying a house a good investment? It depends on your goals. A house is a great investment if you need a place to live, but may not maximize your returns.

Historic home renovations can be expensive. Luckily, there are loans, grants, and tax breaks that can make the renovation process more affordable.

Is there a conventional Streamline Refinance? No, but you can use a different refinance option to get similar Streamline benefits. Here's how.

Buying a condo vs. renting can be a tough decision. Renting offers flexibility, but buying a condo builds wealth. See more pros and cons here.

Home buyer grants can help first-time buyers who had a financial setback during Covid. Learn about current assistance programs and how to qualify.

APR vs. interest rate: Both numbers are important for comparing mortgages. But which one matters more? That depends on your home buying goals.

Buying a house sight unseen can give you an edge in a competitive market. But there are risks that come with sight-unseen homes. Here's what to know.

An iBuyer uses technology to make instant cash offers to home sellers. Buyers can then purchase homes on the iBuyer platform. Here's how it works.

You have extra cash — should you pay off your mortgage or invest? There are pros and cons to both strategies. Here's how to decide.

You have extra cash — should you pay off your mortgage or invest? There are pros and cons to both strategies. Here's how to decide.

DTI, your 'debt-to-income ratio,' includes taxes and insurance as part of your mortgage payment. Here's how to find your DTI with taxes and insurance.

You can finance a manufactured home, but only if it's considered 'real property'. Learn about converting a manufactured home to real property here.

In the mortgage process, 'escrow' is when funds are held by a neutral third party until the mortgage closes. Learn how escrow works here.

Waiving a home inspection could make your offer more competitive. But experts say waiving a home inspection isn't a good idea. Here's why.

A VA renovation loan lets you buy a fixer-upper with an ultra low interest rate. But these loans are hard to find. Should you look for an alternative?

We asked 10 housing and finance experts for their mortgage rate predictions and housing forecasts for late-2020. Here's what they said.

If you want to build your own home, you'll likely need a construction loan. Learn how construction loans work and why they're different from mortgages.

If you want to build your own home, you'll likely need a construction loan. Learn how construction loans work and why they're different from mortgages.

Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE) requires you to reduce debts and save most of your income. But home buying with a mortgage is still possible.

Climate change is putting millions of homes at risk. Use these climate change maps and expert advice to help inform your next home buying decision.