by d-mars.com News Provider Owning a home is the cornerstone of the American dream. There’s nothing like having a permanent plot of land you can call your own. But, if you’ve hit a rough patch with your credit score, this dream might feel like it’s out of reach. However, finding a suitable mortgage with a…
By Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association If you plan to buy a home or condominium this year, keep in mind that the property may be governed by a homeowners association, or HOA. More than 63 million people live within communities that are overseen by HOAs, according to the Community Associations…
By d-mars.com News Provider Approximately 35 million Americans move every year. But unlike most times when homeowners largely change addresses within the same city or county, 2020 saw a sharp increase in relocations between 50 to 500 miles away. “The pandemic has opened the eyes to many that they can effectively work remotely. Thus, homeowners…
Owning a home has long been an aspiration for many people across America, and one of the most effective ways to build generational wealth. Yet, due to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and housing affordability concerns, including the lack of affordable housing supply, homeownership may seem out of reach for…
by d-mars.com News Provider Thinking of remodeling your home? From safety and security to product and contractor selection, there are many factors to consider. Follow these eight remodeling tips to help minimize hassles during a renovation: Bottom line: working with reputable professionals makes all the difference in the quality of the work and the materials…
By Chuck Bishop, Head of Diverse Segments for Wells Fargo Home Lending Despite ongoing challenges due to the pandemic, Black Americans joined the many homebuyers looking for a space to call their own during the past year. But even against that backdrop, the homeownership gap for the Black community remains significant, and concerns remain about…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association If you are setting your sights on buying a home or condominium, keep in mind that the property may be governed by a homeowners association (HOA). More than 63 million people live within communities that are overseen by HOAs, according to the…
More veterans are taking advantage of an important benefit for service members: A Veterans Affairs (VA) loan. According to data from the Department of Veterans Affairs, more than 1.4 million VA loans were taken out in 2021, a 15.6% increase from the previous year. However, there are still many veterans who are not using this…
Evictions have been front-page news during the pandemic, and for a good reason. At the start of the pandemic, the National Low Income Housing Coalition estimated that without assistance, 30 to 40 million Americans would be in danger of eviction by the end of that year. It’s a heart-wrenching situation, which was largely avoided through…
Owning a home has long been an aspiration for many people across America, and one of the most effective ways to build generational wealth. Yet, due to the effects of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, rising interest rates, and housing affordability concerns, including the lack of affordable housing supply, homeownership may seem out of reach for…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association Whew. The buyer and seller both signed the contract, so that’s it, right? The house is sold, and everyone moves on. Not so fast. There’s still a long way to go. Unfortunately, sometimes real estate transactions that start out smoothly can unravel…
If you dream of homeownership, having your mortgage application denied can be devastating. If this does happen to you, it’s important to remember that you’re not alone. Thirteen percent of all purchase mortgage applications — a total of nearly 650,000 — were denied in 2020, according to federal government data. Before quickly reapplying for a…
Bank of America announced a new zero down payment, zero closing cost mortgage solution for first-time homebuyers, which will be available in designated markets, including certain African American and Hispanic neighborhoods in Charlotte, Dallas, Detroit, Los Angeles, and Miami. According to a news release, the Community Affordable Loan Solution aims to help eligible individuals and…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association If you are setting your sights on buying a home or condominium, keep in mind that the property may be governed by a homeowners association (HOA). More than 63 million people live within communities that are overseen by HOAs, according to the…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association Many real estate transactions would never come to pass if not for counteroffers. Sure, some deals get done with an acceptance of the original offer, but the fact is that many offers to buy are met with a counteroffer – even when…
For the past several years, homebuyers have faced a hot housing market and home prices have risen at what can seem like an intimidating rate. In today’s market, it could take a family earning the national median income up to 14 years to save for a 20% down payment plus closing costs, according to U.S….
Preparing your home for sale may start with ideas for staging the house or spackling and painting over nail holes, however, it also requires a considerable amount of planning and organization. Before opening your home to tours, either virtual or in person, be aware of what buyers might notice. “Getting your home ready for sale…
Homes in the United States continue to get smarter as many people frequently use voice assistants, smart doorbells, smart appliances, and more to make life easier. Now, as the smart home evolution continues, homeowners want more than just convenience – they want smart devices that help keep them safe, too. The ability to protect your…
By Contributing Writer Marla Lewis, President of the Houston Black Real Estate Association There are pros and cons to a new-construction home or existing home, so the decision may not be that easy as you consider a home purchase. No matter which way you go, you’ll probably end up making tradeoffs. In the end, choose…
Your home is likely your most valuable asset, and you want to make sure you protect it with the right insurance. Did you know the cost to replace your home could be much more than it cost to build—and you could be on the hook for the difference? Whether it would cost more to replace…
