PMI is known as private mortgage insurance. When you’re buying a home, most lenders require a down payment equal to 20% of the home’s purchase price. If a borrower can’t afford that amount, the lender will most likely view the loan as a riskier investment and require the homebuyer to take out PMI as part of ...

Photo Credit: iStock.com/MivPiv The Coronavirus pandemic may derail a lot of people’s vacation plans this summer. Still, a recent study by the consumer website WalletHub shows the best and worst cities in the nation for a staycation. The study examined 182 U.S. cities, including the 150 most populated U.S....

Photo Credit: iStock.com/Kameleon007 In light of the Coronavirus pandemic, many mortgage and student loan lenders have been promoting their forbearance programs, allowing people to take advantage of no payments on their loans for a defined period of time. While forbearance allows people to delay making payme...

We recently completed our “Green Week” series where we explored ways to make our homes more energy-efficient. The tips included 53 Ways to Go Green, Going Green with Larger Home Improvements, and Six Simple Things You Can Do Around the House to Save Money and Help the Environment. Following-up on those earl...

Real estate agents are providing a service to their clients, but generally don’t get paid in advance for the work that they do until a property sells. There are two commissions, the buyer’s agent commission, and the seller’s agent (also called the Listing Agent) commission. Generally, both agents share a tot...

As the Spring Parade of Homes draws to a close, the Building Contractors Association of Southwest Idaho has announced the winners for Best Kitchen, Best Master Suite, Best Interior Design and Finish, and Best Exterior Design. They also awarded homes for being the Best Decorated and the Best Overall. Every home i...