Attention Renters: Buying Is Now Cheaper" alt="Attention Renters: Buying Is Now Cheaper" />

Buying is now cheaper than renting in nearly three-quarters of the 50 largest cities in the United States, according to data from a rent versus buy index released this week. While there are some notable big-city exceptions where renting is more affordable -- Seattle, New York, San Francisco and Kansas City -- in other large ... Continue Reading »

Rent Your House as a Vacation Home for Cash" alt="Rent Your House as a Vacation Home for Cash" />

Lori McRae, a resident of Olympia, Wash., owns two vacation homes in the Lake Cushman area of the Olympic Peninsula. She and her family use one just for themselves, but the other property they use mainly as a rental. Along the way, she said, she's learned one thing about life as a vacation rental landlord: "Watch out for ... Continue Reading »

Closing Costs: How Much to Budget" alt="Closing Costs: How Much to Budget" />

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Closing Costs: No Surprises" alt="Closing Costs: No Surprises" />

Many homebuyers mistakenly arrive at closing unprepared for a laundry list of closing costs: major and minor fees that are a routine part of any home purchase. This can be because the lender increased fees on lender-controlled aspects of a transaction, or because a buyer chose a third party (appraiser, inspector, ... Continue Reading »

All-Cash Home Buyers Hurt Values for Owner-Occupants" alt="All-Cash Home Buyers Hurt Values for Owner-Occupants" />

There's no denying that all-cash buyers are a force to reckon with in America's neighborhoods. All-cash buyers have come to account for roughly one-fourth of the housing market. According the National Association of Realtors' most recent Realtors Confidence Index: as of March 2010, all-cash buys accounted for 27 percent ... Continue Reading »