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…
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 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…
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 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…
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….
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…
Much of the country is still in the middle of a red-hot real estate market. Home values are rising due to high demand and first-time homebuyers should be aware of how the value of their home impacts the way their premiums are calculated. Location and structure type are two examples of considerations that can affect…
Want to make some serious exterior home upgrades that improve your safety and comfort, add beauty to your home and deliver a return on your investment? Here are five projects that do just that: 1. Install storm doors: Storm doors give you the option of letting in more light and ventilation on fair weather days…
In the current market, houses are selling fast – meaning there’s typically no need to spend time and money on large home repairs and renovations to get an offer. Instead, homeowners should focus on quick, easy DIY projects to give their space a facelift before listing – here’s how. 1. Enhance Curb Appeal. “The exterior…
By Stacy M. Brown, NNPA Newswire Senior National Correspondent Vice President Kamala Harris recently unveiled an action plan to stop racial discrimination in the appraisal of home values. The 21-step plan seeks to improve oversight and accountability in the home appraisal business. It includes a legislative proposal to modernize the governance structure of the appraisal…
By d-mars.com News Provider What do planting a tree, building a patio, installing a pool and putting up a fence have in common? These popular home improvement projects add value to your home, and they all require an important safety step: getting utility lines marked before digging. With so many people spending more time at…
The Epsilon Chi Chapter of Iota Phi Lambda Sorority, Incorporated, a nonprofit organization, will host the highly anticipated public virtual conference, Building the Foundation for Generational Financial Empowerment with Multiple Streams of Income, Saturday – April 24, 2021 from 11:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. CST. This virtual conference will focus on the following income streams and…
By Jacqui Patterson and Mandy Lee, NAACP Voting rights. Segregation. Criminal justice reform. For more than a century, the civil rights movement has taken on the inequities that divide and disfigure American society. Now the green building sector has joined the fronts of struggle for access and equity. Why? The green building sector is transforming…
Start with Designing an Open Floor Plan. Creating a home that allows for functionality not for only being spacious. The best way to make this happen is not allowing walls to define your space. When using lighting, finishes and furniture arrangement you can define an open floor plan. Spaces That Are Flexible Creating a home…
President Joe Biden announced a new EPA rule that mandates the replacement of lead service lines across the nation within 10 years.
With inflation now easing to pre-pandemic levels, the latest data suggests that while some price pressures remain.
Color of Change and Americans for Tax Fairness released a damning report exposing the deep racial inequities entrenched in the U.S. tax system.