Real Estate

Once upon a time, I was born in Houston, Texas. Then I was raised in Texas, then I got out of this state as soon as I could! I moved to Maui, met and married, couldn't afford to buy a home there, so we asked ourselves, "Where in the USA would be the best place to live?"

Mortgage information can be confusing; there is so much information involved in a mortgage. This article will make clear how the quitclaim and assumption affect a mortgage.

The digital nomad movement has never been stronger. There are so many options for international remote workers to choose from! With more countries than ever seeing the major monetary benefits of offering digital nomad visas, the options are many! Here are hidden gems every nomad should consider!

In this article, I will share some tips and tricks I’ve learned from serving as an HOA president. I’m hoping these tips and tricks will help you on your journey toward HOA presidency.

Life is a journey that we find ourselves traveling through each day. I believe that we can compare relationships, experiences, and seasons of life to destinations; in a sense, they are like places we visit when traveling. With at in mind, a few years ago, I made a major lifestyle change.

When a buyer works directly with the listing agent representing the seller, the question must be answered, “Who is representing me?”

Although most adults are pressured to buy a house, becoming a homeowner isn't for everyone. In this article, I highlight some of the downsides of purchasing land and a house as opposed to renting.

Everyone dreams of owning their own home; however, I've learned that being a homeowner can have many disadvantages, such as paying high taxes, having to do all maintenance yourself, and dealing with HOA regulations.

Toyko, London, Beijing and Paris are all pretty amazing cities that many of us dream about moving to. But what about the smaller cities? They hold incredible possibilities for anyone willing to give them a chance.

Many people agree the U.S rental market is overinflated. More and more, as rent increases, people can't afford to live. If you are considering living abroad for a period of time, the amenities offered when renting an apartment really open up, and you will save money.

It's tough to find the perfect home because of price, location, and issues with the house. There's always something you won't like about the home; rarely is it ever perfect.

I've always been attracted to classical styles of architecture. Modernist architecture just doesn't do it for me, but many architects have the opposite opinion. So, am I wrong? I explored my reasons and concluded that it's its unnaturalness that makes me find it ugly.

From driving on the left to paying with cash, here are ten important things to know if you're considering moving to Japan.

Are you thinking about retiring in paradise? Lembongan has it all: surf breaks, beautiful white beaches, and perfectly clear, always-warm water. This article covers the basics about retiring in Nusa Lembongan.

If you are a digital nomad or working online, I want to tell you: pack up and move to Bali. Bali has beautiful beaches, lush forests, and rich culture that will make your experience of living in Bali extremely rewarding. The Balinese are welcoming people who enjoy life to the fullest.

When buying a house, there are some important things you should look for that might not be immediately visible, including issues related to temperature differentials, water stains, poor sound insulation, and more.

If you’re considering putting up a container home in Pennsylvania, you’ll be glad to know that the law allows them, provided you adhere to the stipulated regulations.

Whether you're planning to retire abroad or just looking for a destination for your next trip, it's a good idea to set your sights on countries that are more inexpensive to help your hard-earned dollars go further. These are the countries with the lowest cost of living in Europe.

There are no laws against the construction of container homes in Florida, provided you build them in the approved zones and attain the required permits. This article outlines the process from start to finish.

People from all over the world migrate to other countries for different reasons. It could be job security, salary, lifestyle, or culture. From Taiwan to New Zealand, here are the top 10 countries that expats love to relocate to.

Chase home lending promises on-time closing in as soon as three weeks or they will give you $2,500. This article explains why the closing guarantee is a scam and why customers should think twice before getting a mortgage through Chase.

Bleak and windswept are adjectives frequently used to describe the west coast of Scotland; they certainly apply to Scoraig, and the word “remote” can also be added to the list. Today, Scoraig is home to people seeking an alternative way of life.

Hurricanes are a fact of life in Florida. This beginner's guide answers some of the most common questions asked about these violent tropical storms and provides essential advice on how to be prepared.

As a Japanese person, these are the seven things I've found folks from other countries to be the most surprised about when they move to (or visit) Japan.

A collection of useful information to help you deal with a rude landlord who mistreats tenants. Holding a landlord accountable is a process that begins the moment you are handed the lease.

With all the bullying, thieving, and unauthorized decisions, you’d like to see your rogue strata council wiped off the face of the Earth. Why are they allowed to continue? Know this—there are seven ways to stop them.

When people spend years sitting on Strata Council, they become powerful in knowledge. Arrogance, coupled with an increasingly disgruntled nature, can spur on bigger and bigger cash grabs.

The Siegel Suites extended-stay chain offers eviction-friendly, no-credit-check apartments. All utilities are included, and their rates are fair.

If you're looking for a second chance apartment rental, offering weekly and monthly rates and no credit checks, the Budget Suites extended-stay chain might be an option for you, especially if you have an eviction or judgment against you.

There are options and protections in place for you if you cannot pay rent and are facing eviction. Learn about which next steps to take.

I recently refinanced my mortgage using a discount mortgage broker. Here is how they compared to my local credit union.

Considering a house with an alleyway? You may want to think about what you are getting yourself into before you make an offer on that house. This article covers exactly what to expect when buying a house with an alleyway.

I lived aboard for several years in a 32' Pearson Vanguard sloop. Here is my advice for those considering living aboard a sailboat today.

Your roommate can't (or won't) pay rent? In certain situations, there might be some protection or leniency around what you can do to save yourself the financial burden.

The upper crust of society doesn’t much like mixing with the general population so its members spend a lot of money to live behind walls with guarded, gated entrances. Gated communities have become a metaphor for inequality and are criticized for promoting an us-versus-them mentality.

Here are 7 reasons why home buyers should invest in a building and pest inspection with their home purchase, plus how to hire an inspector, what happens at the inspection, and when a seller should get an inspection done.

Living in Japan comes with a hefty price tag, and this scares foreign workers away, and visitors as well. This article discusses the costs of living in Japan, along with recommendations on what to look for when starting a life there.

Tenants, like people everywhere, have ups and downs, and bad things happen to good tenants. When a tenant just can't pay rent and you have to end their tenancy, you can make the farewell as friendly as possible.

As we look to the future in these uncertain times, our communities are changing. I have imagined what my local village in the Vale of Glamorgan would look like in the next 10 years and whether it will provide a more sustainable and ethical way of living and being in the world.

There is an old English saying that goes: it's an ill wind that blows nobody any good. If we look for the good, even in a bad situation we can usually find some. We can look for some lessons we learned in our recent foray into house arrest and isolation ...

A sneak peek at the northwest corner of the United States!

In this article, I examine the advantages and disadvantages of renting versus owning real estate. Factors such as taxes, insurance, building equity, investment strategies, and personal freedom are discussed.

Whether you want to do it or not, sometimes evicting the tenant is a matter of your own survival. How many rent payments on how many units can you miss before the financial crisis sets in? I know of some landlords who start the process if the rent check is five or ten days late.

How can you be a good landlord? How can you be a good tenant? How do you do either thing and not lose money? I've been both. Here's some advice on how to be either and not lose your sanity.

The Caribbean can be a great place for you and your family to live, with many activities, a stress-free environment, and a deep culture. No wonder so many expats can be found there!

If you want to buy a house to live in or to invest in, there may be ways to move forward even if you don't have good credit and plenty of cash.

Title is the proof that a person or company has the right to own and use a property. Title insurance protects your ownership rights.

In France, renting a home or apartment is called “letting.” Like other people, the French do things their way. So read up before you rent out your vacation home.

Buying new construction or property that has not yet been built from a developer is called off-plan purchasing in France. Purchasing off-plan is a fairly common, safe and even profitable means of property acquisition in France.

As a septuagenarian, I have been living retired in Thailand since 2007. Previously enthusiastic about living overseas, I now argue in this article why you shouldn't retire abroad.