Estate Rebate Blog

Home buyers need to check out their potential homes and that involves more than sizing up the living room colors. They must get down to the basics. In fact, home buyers should check out the foundation and every structural issue between that point and the roof. Enter the home inspector! Home Inspections A home inspector can check the home's structure as well as the plumbing, electrical, heating, and air conditioning systems. They will check f... [More]

'Control' is a powerful word. The terms - co-operation, team approach, and partnership - have much more pleasant connotations. Yet apparently, one gender is in control in North American homes. No team approach here! Women in Control According to two recent studies, women are in control of household finances. This fact is not even new information in the area of finance. Women had been holding the household purse strings long before this year's... [More]

Usually, the most effective way to deal with a flaw is to fix it. Yet Ohio's Attorney General is suggesting that banks and lenders take a different approach – at least in one instance. In two letters, one to Wells Fargo and one to Ohio judges, Attorney General Richard Cordray states that he does not want banks and lenders to fix flawed foreclosures. Flawed Foreclosures The scandal and fiasco of flawed foreclosures erupted in recent week... [More]

On this Halloween weekend, the more mysterious and creepy your entrance looks, the better kids (and adults) like it. Yet come Monday morning, lose the look! Indeed, if you are planning to sell your home, a mysterious, hidden, or overgrown entryway won't attract buyers. No dead branches or plants in the yard! Without a doubt, a horror of a door will spook your buyers. Potential home buyers respond to well-tended property and a welcoming entran... [More]

So, you don't believe in haunted houses? Well, they exist – everywhere! Houses that are 'haunted' by a horrific event in their past or a horrible rumour or even an association with horror! Haunted Houses In fact, maybe you are living in a 'haunted' house at this moment. The chilling reality is that you don't know for certain about every event in your home's history. Even if you have a new home, stories abound about deceased and disgrunt... [More]

Within the past few days, there have been real changes to reverse mortgages. Of course, this option is a real change in itself – but it can be a step in the right direction for seniors. A reverse mortgage is available for home owners 62 and over. It releases the home equity in property as a lump sum, multiple payments, or a line of credit. Repayment is deferred until a home owner passes away or leaves to go into a seniors' home or other l... [More]

Selling a home is an emotional decision at the best of times. Of course, the obvious financial implications are added into the mix. Imagine if you're a senior who has lived in a home for 40 years or is facing a move to a seniors' home. The complexity of the situation goes up a hundred fold. Major Decision Factor in falling house prices and selling a home can be a huge dilemma for seniors. Yet they do not have to face this situation on their o... [More]

You probably know someone who has moved to Washington. Of course, it is not surprising that so many people would make the move. The city is the nation's capital – the heart of the country. Granted, many people just make a temporary move to Washington. The politicians account for many 'back and forth' moves. Even a few politicians choose to stay on in Washington after politics. Washington attracts political types – and not just from... [More]

Ah, home sweet home! Make that home 'small' home for an increasing number of home builders and home buyers. House construction is seeing smaller and less expensive homes because builders are not getting the same price as before for expansive, upscale properties. A few builders claim that they are not making back the construction costs. Shrinking Size Some builders are getting rid of homes at a loss and concentrating instead on the business of... [More]

The word 'foreclosure' strikes enough fear into people's minds without adding 'flawed' into the mix. Yet the nation is now facing the issue of "flawed foreclosures." What a mess! Flawed Mess Most of us have been faced with the issue of messy paperwork in our offices from time to time. This latest fiasco makes it evident, however, that even banks let their paperwork get out of hand. A scary thought – considering how much trust we are req... [More]