The Low-Down on Mortgages

What is a Mortgage?
A Mortgage is a legal agreement by which a bank or other creditor lends money at interest in exchange for taking title of the debtor's property, with the condition that the conveyance of title becomes void upon the payment of debt.
So, what does that mean exactly? Essentially, you (the debtor) can borrow money from a bank or creditor in order to buy a house. You pay back that loan at a specified interest rate over the course of a specified number of years. The creditor actually holds title of the proper...

1. Check out the neighborhood as much as you do the house
"Location, location, location" is a popular phrase for good reason, but sometimes it gets skipped over by excited first time home buyers. Too often, I see buyers get wrapped up in wanting the white subway tile backsplash and granite counters that they forget to look at the neighborhood.
Is it well maintained? Is there noise from a busy road or highway? What about that wooded lot behind the hous...

It is true that every home transaction is different, so it is hard to give an accurate time frame for buying a new house. According to HouseLogic.com, however, the average purchase of a new house takes about 50 days from start to finish. Let's take a look and how they've broken down the process:
Time: 1-14 days
You really should do some critical research to help you figure out what want and what you don't want in a house so that you can stay on track throughout the process.
You should also get pre-qualified for a loan. This will help you get a better understanding of how much you can afford.
Time: 1-7 days
Finding an agent who suits you is key to the home buying process. You should interview several and choose the one that...

When selling your home, you are obligated, by law, to disclose certain information about your property. Most states require that all residential home sellers complete a written property disclosure form, but let's take a look at Ohio's laws in particular.
THE BASICS
Ohio law requires most residential home owners to complete a residential property disclosure form when listing...

That orange box of baking soda tucked away in your fridge or kitchen cabinet can also be an inexpensive, and earth-friendly, solution for your laundry needs. It's safe to use in both standard and high-efficiency washers and is one of the best products available to reduce your dependence on chemicals. Let's take a look into the top 5 ways baking soda can be used in your laundry room:
The body odors found on our clothing and linens are caused by different types of bacteria. These bacteria are removed when the detergent's molecules break them up and flush them away from the clothing. Less expensive detergents generally don't...