Finance

Difference Between Gated Communities & Private Communities

Gated communities and private communities are distinct from other kinds of subdivisions or masterplanned communities because gated or private communities have private streets. The public cannot use the resources inside the community without permission from...

How to Write a Character Reference to a Potential Landlord

Renting a new home or apartment can be challenging, adding stress to your time, work, finances and relationships. One way to make things go more smoothly is for the renter to have on hand one...

How to Find Out When a Housing Authority Will Be Accepting Applications for Section 8

The Section 8 housing program provides subsidized rental assistance to those who qualify. Because of heavy demand, getting into the Housing Choice Voucher Program can be a drawn-out process. Most public housing authorities, which administer Section 8 vouchers at...

What is Principal Curtailment?

A principal curtailment is a mortgage payment sent in by a homeowner before it’s due in order to reduce the principal balance on the mortgage. Individual mortgage contracts also come with their own principal curtailment...

How to Write a Settlement Letter to a Landlord

A settlement letter to a landlord is used when you have entered into an agreement regarding the leasing of property but cannot fulfill your financial arrangements, or disagree on the total financial debt following the...

Cheapest Way to Own a Home

Home ownership provides a variety of tax and economic benefits that are not available to those who rent. While real estate is often a tremendous investment, there are methods that allow potential home buyers to...

Is Filling Out a Lease Application a Binding Agreement?

Landlords and owners of properties will ask potential lessees to apply for the available renting space to evaluate each individual applicant before granting a lease. Once the lease application is filled out and submitted, the...

How to Find Out What Code Violations a Property Has

Code violations come in many flavors. According to Code Violation Services Inc., violations can include garbage in a yard, maintenance issues, overgrown lawns, unapproved improvements, safety issues or other dangerous items needing repair in a...

Advantages & Disadvantages of the City & the Countryside

Life in the city is fast-paced and exciting, but, the hustle and bustle of big-city living often comes at the expense of community and living space. The country offers plenty of room, views and immediate...

How Often Can You Qualify for an FHA Loan

Homeownership is a goal for many people who wish to stop renting. With help from the Federal Housing Administration, owning a home can become much more attainable. By qualifying for an FHA mortgage loan, homebuyers...

What Closing Costs Are Involved With Owner Financing?

When buying a home, owner financing can make the purchase process significantly easier and less expensive. Though you won’t need to pay many of the closing costs associated with a traditional mortgage, such as origination...

Can I Refinance If I Have a HUD Partial Claim?

The world of home financing and mortgages is confusing and can be challenging to navigate. If you have a United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) partial claim, you must contend with HUD partial claim...

Definition of Distress Value of Real Property

Real property is land and any buildings permanently attached to it, such as home on a lot. All real property is valued in certain ways, such as a home’s market, appraised and assessed values. When...

Who Can Apply for HUD Assistance?

The Department of Housing and Urban Development helps low-income families and renters with special needs, such as the elderly and the disabled. HUD’s assistance programs pay a portion of the rent for eligible tenants, making...

What Are the Responsibilities of a Life Tenant in a Real Property?

With an aging population, an increasing number of people find themselves in the position of creating a legal life estate that allows another person, called the life tenant, to live in the owner’s home for...

Landlord Rights After a Tenant Dies

When a tenant dies, you may risk losing the stream of income the deceased tenant previously promised. However, there are laws that protect your rights and give you the ability to recoup the rent. Depending...

Free Government Housing Programs

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides housing grants to ensure low-income households have safe and decent housing options. Those most vulnerable to increases in living costs, such as seniors and people with...

South Carolina Laws Regarding Breaking a Lease

The South Carolina Residential Landlord and Tenant Act governs landlord and tenant transactions within the state. First enacted in 1986, the act governs apartments, individual rooms in apartments and homes. The state allows both parties...

What Happens When You Default on a Land Contract?

Defaulting on a land contract payment can have extremely serious consequences. Although courts have recently begun providing more protections for buyers, it’s not uncommon for one missed payment to throw a buyer into forfeiture, or...