Owning Your Home

Permits are usually required for home updates and renovations to ensure safety and transparency. You’ll need a permit and occupancy certificate before residents can inhabit your home or building.

The contractor types include general contractors, specialty contractors, architects and design/build contractors. You’ll want to hire contractors with a reputable background and the required licenses and certifications.

Depending on your remodeling project, you could receive federal, state and local government funding. Common types of federal remodeling aid include Title 1, Section 2039k0, VA loans and rural housing repair loans.

Contact your lender immediately. You may be able to set up a payment solution that works for both of you. You can also contact your mortgage insurance provider and inquire about having your mortgage covered until you can pay again. Ensure you do everything to keep your credit score in good standing.

That depends entirely on your skillset, available time, and your project’s complexity. You should ask yourself whether starting and completing your project is worth the time, money and effort. If your project is large and complex or too large for your skills, we recommend hiring professionals.

Standard home insurance protects your home and belongings from some natural disasters and catastrophes, but not all. Guaranteed replacement cost coverage pays rebuilding costs even if the expense exceeds the policy limit.

You should expect to hire maintenance teams or perform your own maintenance to keep your home updated. Maintenance should be performed regularly to ensure your home’s safety, efficiency, equity and curb appeal.

Make a detailed list of potential issues you detect within your home and remedy simple fixes immediately. Fixing simple issues will prevent more significant problems in the future.

Your refinancing strategy might depend on how long you intend to live in your home. Many homeowners refinance during periods of low mortgage interest rates. Contact your lender and their competitors before refinancing.

Do you have the skillset, time and patience to renovate or remodel? Ask yourself before starting a project by yourself. If your project is large and complex or too difficult for your skills, we recommend hiring professionals.

Like all investments, vacation homes contain risks and the possibilities of excellent returns. You can enjoy rental homes for yourself, rent them out or build equity for resale value. Contact us to learn more about vacation home investments today.

Like all taxes, property tax is inevitable for most people. However, there are ways to contest your property tax if you think you have a viable case. Contact us today to learn how.

Like all properties, you’ll want to research your targeted condo or apartment and assess it based on its condition, location and more. Apartments and condos can yield high or low risks and rewards. Contact us to learn more.

That depends on your desire and patience level. Certain tax breaks may apply for fixer-uppers depending on the situation, and fixer-uppers can yield high investment returns if services are completed correctly. Contact us to learn more today.

Current housing market conditions are the most significant factors in property value. Unfortunately, there’s nothing homeowners can do to change market conditions. However, you can make home improvements through remodeling and renovation that boost your equity and market value.

You can call the IRS or visit irs.gov. for more information.