Maria Patterson

A few lenders will negotiate the mortgage rate and number of points on a loan; however, this is more the...

Certainly, but it takes a lot of determination and time to find a real bargain. But if you are adamant,...

Lenders require private mortgage insurance (PMI) on most conventional loans with less than a 20 percent down payment. They believe...

Title insurance protects the lender against an unclear title to the property you are buying. It is almost always a...

This insurance protects your investment and personal belongings from most disasters. As an owner, you will need two insurance policies—your...

Homeowner's insurance protects against disasters—whether natural, manmade or mechanical. A standard policy insures the home, as well as your possessions....

By all means. Buying a home without getting expert advice is risky. Once a home inspector uncovers major plumbing and...

A home inspector is a paid professional—often a contractor or an engineer—who checks the safety of a home. Home inspectors...

A: Yes. A comparative market analysis (CMA) and an appraisal are the two most common and reliable ways to determine...

The short answer: a home is ultimately worth what is paid for it. Everything else is really an estimate of...