homeownership

First-time home buyer benefits in 2023: Programs and perks

First-time home buyers may qualify for serious benefits, from homeowner education courses to cash assistance with their down payments.

How I learned to stop worrying and love DIY

“Oh good,” Kim said when I rolled out of bed yesterday morning. “I’m glad you’re up.” She gets up at 5:30 for work most days, but I tend to sleep in. Especially during allergy season.

“Huh?” I grunted. It was 6:10 and I was very groggy. My evening allergy meds kick my butt. Plus, I hadn’t had my coffee yet.

“Something’s wrong with the bathroom sink,” she said. “Look. It’s leaking. The floor is soaked.” She wasn’t kidding. The bathmat was drenched. When I looked under the vanity, I was greeted by a small lake.

“Ugh,” I grunted. This wasn’t how I wanted to start my day.

Kim kissed me goodbye and hurried off to work. I pulled on a pair of pants, poured some coffee, pulled out the vanity drawers, and got to work.

I was worried that I might have caused the leak when I replaced the sink’s pop-up assembly last month, but no. The problem was obvious: The hot water line to the bidet (which I installed in October) had worked itself loose. (By the way, I love my bidet. Too much information, perhaps, but it’s some of the best sixty bucks I’ve ever spent.)

Fortunately, the fix was simple. I reattached everything, then added a light layer of tape to prevent similar problems in the future.

Note: As a safety measure — to make sure I wasn’t missing anything — I took photos of the issue and made a trip to the hardware store to ask their advice. They told me everything should be fine.

This might seem like a small thing to some folks but it’s a big deal in my world. You see, I’ve never really been a DIY type of guy. I used to get overwhelmed by home improvement. I felt unprepared, incompetent.

More and more, though, I’m learning that I can do it myself. It just takes patience and perseverance. And the more projects I complete, the more confidence I gain.

Wells Fargo pulls out of correspondent lending

Wells Fargo’s strategic plans for “a more focused home lending business” include an exit from corresponding lending and a reduction to its servicing portfolio. The depository noted in communication published Tuesday that both measures will help to “reduce risk in the mortgage business by reducing its size and narrowing its focus.”  The announcement confirms plans … [Read more…]

Massachusetts First-Time Home Buyer: 2023 Programs & Grants

Everything you need to know as a Massachusetts first-time home buyer, from home prices to loan options and home buyer grants.

Common First-Time Homebuyer Mistakes to Avoid [Part 1]

Unfortunately, predicting the future is next to impossible.  Things happen when buying and selling Real Estate that even defy reason, and all we can do sometimes is learn what not […]

The post Blog first appeared on MilitaryVALoan.com.

Student-Loan Repayment Pause Helped Young People ‘Participate in the Recent Housing Boom’

The ongoing student-loan payment pause boosted homeownership rates among young Americans, according to a new report.

Condo Vs Townhome: Which Is Best For You?

Housing is less affordable than ever. Median prices are up 25% nationwide in the last two years, and the appreciation is even sharper in some […] Read More

The post Condo Vs Townhome: Which Is Best For You? appeared first on Homie Blog.

The leak in our bathroom ceiling

Ah, the joys of homeownership.

Remember the peeling paint in the bathroom ceiling that I mentioned last week? The peeling paint that I felt certain was due to humidity from the shower and lack of adequate ventilation? Well, I was wrong. The paint is peeling because we have a leak in the roof.

It seems to be a small leak, but it’s a leak nonetheless.

Monday morning, I noticed that there was a tea-colored water stain in the area where the paint had peeled. “I don’t like that,” I thought, and I snapped a photo.

I drove up to the family box factory, where my brother and I spent several hours waiting for Mom to be discharged from the hospital. While we waited, we sorted through her paperwork to be sure we had everything in order. We updated her personal-finance records. We chatted about the future.

In the end, Mom was not released from the hospital on Monday, so I drove home in the heavy rain. When I arrived, I checked the water spot in the bathroom ceiling. Had it grown? It had.

So, I ventured into our attic for the first time.

Divorce and mortgage: What are your options?

There are a few ways to handle your mortgage during a divorce. These divorce mortgage options will help both parties transition smoothly.