The National Association of Realtors (NAR) recently settled a lawsuit that contended that MLS (multi-listing service) requirements for sellers to pay both seller and buyer's agent commissions was artificially inflating realtor commissions at around 6% of the transaction price. While commissions have always been negotiable, a significant requirement

Mortgage insurance (sometimes referred to as MI or PMI) might be the quiet sentinel on the path to homeownership, subtly deciding who gets to claim the keys. This financial safeguard is crafted to protect lenders, while being paid for by borrowers/buyers, yet it's a vital element for

Embarking on the homeownership journey requires advance planning to avoid some common pitfalls and minimize overall expense. This checklist will help to ensure you are aware of some of the less obvious costs and preparatory steps you can take as you are saving and planning for your home purchase. Grasping