The Hidden Costs of Owning a Home
According to the Urban Institute, 63 percent of millennials who bought homes have regrets resulting from underestimating the hidden costs. Zillow found that American homeowners spend nearly $9,400 in hidden costs to own and care for a median-priced home. Let’s first differentiate hidden costs from not-so-hidden costs. Not-so-hidden costs: Mortgage, taxes, and insurance Your mortgage […]
States Should Impose Foreclosure Deadlines on Mortgage Lenders
Individual states should impose foreclosure deadlines on mortgage lenders. Forcing lenders to foreclose within specific timelines would solve several problems facing individual homeowners as well as entire neighborhoods. States must individually legislate changes to foreclosure procedures because foreclosures are governed by state law. Federal law can impose reforms, but states must implement them. The most […]
Homeowners Association Fees in Bankruptcy
Even if you file bankruptcy and surrender your home, in some cases, your homeowners association can still pursue you for unpaid dues. In Washington, D.C., Maryland and Virginia, homeowners associations have a “superpriority” for unpaid dues. Up until title to the home is actually transferred, you will still owe HOA or condo fees. So what […]