Avoiding Capital Gains Tax When Selling Your Home: Read the Fine Print
If you sell your home, you may exclude up to $250,000 of your capital gain from tax or up to $500,000 for married couples.
Read more
Beginning Your Home Search
Learn how to survey the housing market, locate promising homes for sale, and decide what you really want in a house.
Read more
Buying a Foreclosed Home: Your Way Into the Real Estate Market?
With record levels of foreclosures having hit the real estate market in recent years, potential buyers feel they've spotted an enticing opportunity.
Read more
Buying a Home: Overview
Interested in buying a house? Orient yourself to the steps ahead, from researching neighborhoods to closing the deal.
Read more
Buying a House in Your Twenties: Can You Afford It?
If you're just starting out, here's what you should consider before buying a house.
Read more
Buying an Affordable House: Top Tips
Are you experiencing sticker shock? The number of zeros on a house's price tag makes buying a challenge for most people.
Read more
Can a Timeshare Be Foreclosed for Nonpayment of Fees or Assessments?
If you buy a timeshare, you'll ordinarily be responsible for maintenance fees, special assessments, utilities, and taxes pertaining to the property.
Read more
Canceled Mortgage Debt: What Happens at Tax Time?
The Mortgage Forgiveness Debt Relief Act gives some taxpayers a break.
Read more
Cobuying a Home
Buying a first or second home with friends or family can make it more affordable.
Read more
Collect Your Court Judgment With a Real Estate Lien
Learn what a real estate lien is, and how it might help you get your money.
Read more
Comparing Mortgages: Points, Interest Rates, and Fees
Use a mortgage calculator to compare mortgages that differ in interest rates, points, and fees.
Read more
Contingencies to Include in Your House Purchase Contract
The standard home purchase contract lists several conditions that must be met before the closing will take place, covering issues like financing, inspections, insurance, and more. These conditions are called "contingencies." They're important to give you (the home buyer) an out if, for example, your financing falls through or other uncontrollable events or discoveries create barriers to your finalizing the deal.
Read more
Deeds FAQ
Quitclaim deeds, grant deeds, warranty deeds, trust deeds answers to frequently asked questions about deeds.
Read more
Defenses to Foreclosure
Challenge a foreclosure by bringing a defense such as unconscionability or lender mistake.
Read more
Do I Need a Building Permit to Construct a Tiny House in My Backyard?
Often defined as a house that is 80 to 400 square feet, and built either on a traditional house foundation or on a trailer bed (with or without wheels), tiny houses have grown rapidly in popularity.
Read more
Dont Lose Your Home to Foreclosure Rescue Scammers
Foreclosure "rescue" scammers steal your home, equity, and money.Here's how to protect yourself.
Read more
Escrow and Your Role as Home Seller
Here's why escrow takes weeks, and what you'll be called upon to do as the seller during this time.
Read more
False Affidavits in Foreclosures: What the Robo-Signing Mess Means for Homeowners
The robo-signing scandal is an opportunity for homeowners to challenge foreclosures in court, negotiate with lenders, and buy time.
Read more
Financing Your Home Improvement Project
Homeowners planning a remodel or home improvement project should carefully consider how they will finance the job.
Read more
FSBO or a Real Estate Agent?
If you sell your home yourself, without the assistance of a real estate agent, you can save a bundle on commissions.
Read more
Getting Rid of PMI (Private Mortgage Insurance)
Private mortgage insurance (PMI) protects the lender in the event that you default on your mortgage payments and your house isn't worth enough to entirely repay the lender through a foreclosure sale.
Read more
Home Buying Timeline: From Offer to Purchase Contract
After you've made an offer to buy a house, the seller will accept your offer, make a counteroffer with one or more changes, or reject the offer outright.
Read more
Home List Price: What Is a House Worth?
What does the advertised, or "list," price of a house really mean with regard to how much you should offer?
Read more
Homebuying Readiness Quiz
Answer these eight questions to find out whether you're ready to start shopping.
Read more
Homeowner Tax Breaks: Recent Developments
Learn about recent tax credits and tax deductions for homeowners.
Read more
Homeowners Associations (HOAs) and CC&Rs
When you buy a home in a new subdivision, common interest development (CID), planned unit development (PUD), or co-op, chances are good that you also automatically become a member of an exclusive club the homeowners' association (HOA).
Read more
Homeowners Insurance: Got Enough Coverage?
Determine whether you have enough homeowners' insurance to meet your needs.
Read more
Homeowners Insurance: What You Need to Know
Before finalizing a mortgage loan, lenders require homebuyers to purchase at least a minimal level of "hazard insurance," which is part of the standard homeowners' insurance policy.
Read more
Homeowners Right to Views
Contrary to popular belief, most homeowners do not have a right to their view.
Read more
How to Deduct a Loss On a Timeshare Sale
A timeshare property is a vacation home that several people own together and share the use of.
Read more
If I dont pay HOA assessments, can my HOA charge fees or penalties?
Yes. If you live in a community that is part of a homeowners' association (HOA) and fall behind in your HOA dues or assessments, the HOA most likely will be able to charge you additional fees and/or penalties.
Read more
Incentives to Homebuyers Help Seal the Deal
Cash-strapped home buyers would rather have their closing costs paid than a flat-screen TV.
Read more
Is Home Staging Worth The Cost?
You're already paying to fix up your home in preparation for sale. Is it worth paying a home stager too?
Read more
Leaving Real Estate to Your Children
It’s common for siblings to inherit real estate—the family house, or maybe a vacation cottage—together.
Read more
Listing Your House: What List Price Should You Set?
If you're about to put your house on the market, you're probably wondering, "How much can I get for it?" And indeed, you and your real estate agent should be checking out the competition (or "comparables," in real estate lingo) and figuring out your house's likely market value.
Read more
Low Home Appraisal: What to Do
Don't let your real estate deal get scuttled by an inaccurately low home appraisal.
Read more
Making an Offer to Buy a House
How to make an offer on a house, including determining the right purchase price and adding contingencies.
Read more
Mold: Is It Hiding in the Home Youre Buying?
Recognize potential mold problems before buying a house and getthe seller's full disclosure for mold problems you can't see.
Read more
Mortgage Modification and Refinancing Under the Homeowner Affordability and Stability Plan
Refinance or reduce your mortgage payments under Obama's plan, meant to slow down foreclosures.
Read more
Mortgage Rate Locks: How They Work
When considering a mortgage rate lock-in, negotiate the terms and time period you need.
Read more
Mortgage Refinancing to Avoid Foreclosure: The HOPE for Homeowners Act
The HOPE for Homeowners Act helps owners at risk of foreclosure to refinance their mortgages.
Read more
Moving Up: Selling Your Home and Buying Another
Avoid getting stuck paying two mortgages when buying your next house.
Read more
Negotiate the Agents Commission When Selling Your House
Save money when you sell your home by reducing your real estate agent's commission.
Read more
New-Home Defects: Holding Your Builder Responsible
Many buyers choose newly built homes only to discover built-in damage later.
Read more
Newly Built Houses: Pros and Cons of Buying
There's something inherently appealing about a brand new house you get to pick out the countertops, drapes, and appliances, and have everything designed just the way you want it.
Read more
Pros And Cons Of Using a Dual Agent to Help Buy a California Home
You decide that you’d like to buy a new home in California, so you call your local real estate brokerage office and speak to an agent there.
Read more
Qualifying for a Mortgage
Here's the formula bank lenders use to determine how much mortgage you can afford.
Read more
Real Estate Terminology for Home Buyers
Here are some common real estate terms to know when getting ready to buy a home. For more unusual terminology, try searching Nolo's Legal Dictionary.
Read more
Refinancing Your Mortgage in Todays Market
Today's economy and struggling real estate market pose challenges for many homeowners.
Read more
Required Disclosures When Selling Real Estate
What you need to disclose to potential home buyers about your property.
Read more
Researching the Best Places to Live
Relocating to a new city, community, or neighborhood? Find information on schools, housing costs, local resources, and more.
Read more
Reverse Mortgages for Retirees and Seniors
Learn about reverse mortgages and whether you are a good candidate for one.
Read more
Rural Neighbors and the Right to Farm
Before you build your dream house in the country, thoroughly investigate the surroundings.
Read more
Selling Your Home in a Down Market
Tips for selling your home when the real estate market is slow.
Read more
Selling Your House FAQ
Tips for selling your house: setting the right price, timing the sale, and hiring an agent.
Read more
Short Sale Fraud: Three Scams to Avoid
Short sale buyers and sellers need to watch out for these common fraud scenarios.
Read more
Short Sale of Your Home: Is It Right for You?
Having trouble paying your mortgage? You may have heard that a short sale is the answer to your problems.
Read more
Short Sales and Deeds in Lieu of Foreclosure
A short sale or deed in lieu may help avoid foreclosure or a deficiency.
Read more
Single-Woman Homebuyers: What to Consider
An unprecedented number of single women are buying a home on their own. Here's how to make it the best decision of your life.
Read more
Stricter Mortgage Requirements for Homebuyers
Remember the days when lenders wouldhand out loans based on the borrowers' promises about their income or inanticipation of the house's rises in value?
Read more
Title Insurance: Why a Home Buyer Needs It
Getting title insurance is one of the standard steps home buyers take before closing on a home purchase.
Read more
Vacation Homes: Keeping Them in the Family
Good planning around your family cottage or vacation home can avoid disputes and forced sales.
Read more
When Foreclosure Threatens: Can You Afford to Keep Your Home?
f you face foreclosure, realistically assess whether you should keep your home.
Read more
When Home Equity Loans or Lines of Credit Can Lead to Trouble
Use your home equity loan or line of credit wisely here's how.
Read more
Where to Shop for a Mortgage
You can save real money if you carefully shop for a mortgage. Even a one-quarter percentage point difference in interest rates can mean savings of thousands of dollars over the life of the loan.
Read more
Your Home in Chapter 13 Bankruptcy
You can stop foreclosure and save your home in a Chapter 13 bankruptcy.
Read more
Your Home List Price Should You Lower It?
If your house isn't selling, price may be the problem. Find out when to drop the price and by how much.
Read more
Your House as a Rental Property? Gauge Its Tenant-Appeal
Having trouble selling your house? Ask yourself these questions about its likely appeal to tenant's.
Read more