Real Estate

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.

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 10 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.

I've been buying and selling houses for a number of years. Recently, my family has been renting while waiting for a house remodel. We've learned a lot about things you should look for when buying a house that might not be immediately visible.

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.

A hardy group of people have settled on a Scottish peninsula to live simple and fulfilling lives.

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.

This article is a collection of useful information to help you properly deal with a landlord who mistreats you or your fellow tenants. Holding a landlord accountable is a process that begins the second you are handed the lease, and you need to make every effort to protect yourself!

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.

More and more people are living behind walls as a protection from the common herd.

Home buyers often wonder if getting a building and pest inspection is worth the money. Here are 7 reasons why all buyers should make the investment in 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, & whether it will be able to achieve to be a more sustainable, and more 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.

Ideas about how to get your house for sale ready for a photo shoot, and how to take pictures.

Condos and co-ops may appear to be pretty much the same from the outside, but there is a difference. Neither is inherently better than the other, but often one or the other is a better fit for the buyer.

If you haven't saved $1M for retirement, don't worry, because here is a list of the top five affordable countries to retire.

London is one arguably one of the best cities to live in the United Kingdom, buzzing and exciting. In today’s post, I’ll look into some of the most popular and beautiful neighbourhoods in London.

If mortgage payments are weighing you down, you may want to look into RV living. If you do it the right way, you can save money, live well and free yourself from many burdens.

Here are the advantages and disadvantages of living in Kenya.

A brief look into (a few) of my favorite things about everyday life here in the U.K.

Living on a low-income budget is a constant struggle for most people. Communal living might be a realistic resolution if you're ready to give up the struggle.

I call myself a digital nomad, but that label doesn't tell the whole truth. I have a home base to go back to when I get tired. Here is what my digital nomad life looks like and how to make something like it work for you.

Have you just been pre-approved for an FHA mortgage? Wondering how much extra besides the down payment you've scrimped to save for that buying a home will cost you? Here are the costs you should expect to pay with an FHA mortgage.