Industry Observer Blog

If you're purchasing a home for the first time, you'll likely be dazzled by the number of professionals that need to work together to bring the deal to a close. From mortgage and real estate brokers to appraisers and title companies, every piece has a role to play in the larger transaction. The i...

With most high school graduations over for the year, many students and parents are anxiously preparing for college to start in the fall. One of the biggest expenses for college-bound students to consider is the cost of room and board. Living on campus comes with a hefty price tag in some areas, c...

Contracting work can be rewarding—but it can also come with a unique set of challenges. The foremost of those challenges: managing expenses. Contracting work means footing your own bill when it comes to business-related expenses, and while tax deductions can be a bonus at the end of the year, the...

The current housing market is tough on homebuyers. Housing prices are increasing, inventory is on the decline and interest rates are rising. Some reports are predicting one of the worst markets for housing affordability in recent history. In such a challenging environment, having a strong mortgag...

For many people across the country, owning a home is part of the American dream. But homeownership is also a major responsibility—including cleaning, maintenance and the financial wherewithal to handle an emergency home repair when the need suddenly springs up. In 2015, a survey found that 25% of...

With 17 storms logged and more than $200 billion in damage, 2017 marked the most expensive hurricane season in U.S. history. With the 2018 hurricane season quickly approaching, now is the time for homeowners to prepare for potential storm damage. Roof damage is one of the most common types of des...

If you're a borrower seeking funds for emergency expenses, you may be dismayed by the rates available on personal loans, which can average 10%–28%. However, if you're also a homeowner who has built up substantial equity, you may be in luck, as a second mortgage offers significantly cheaper rates ...

The U.S. housing market has shown strong signs of trending in favor of sellers, especially in Florida. Recent data shows that there were 7.5% fewer homes on the market in the first quarter of 2018 for Florida than there were during that same period in 2017. A tighter market is good for sellers, b...

As summer approaches and peak home-selling season comes to a close, homeowners looking to sell should think about listing soon. In most areas, the best time to sell your house starts in March and continues through June, when the weather is nicer and offers more hours of daylight, making buyers mo...

As homeowners in Connecticut deal with crumbling foundations, homeowners across the U.S. should understand how to spot faulty foundations and find out whether insurance might cover such an event. Pyrrhotite, a mineral that corrodes foundations and causes cracking, has contaminated an estimated 30...