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Len Penzo dot Com

The offbeat personal finance blog for responsible people.

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Grandfather Says: A Lesson on Real Estate Development

By RD Blakeslee

Do real estate developers necessarily build a whole subdivision of houses or something like Donald Trump's tower? Well, Grandfather says ... "No." When integration came to America's public schools, a "colored" school in Union, West Virginia, ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: A Lesson on Real Estate Development

August 25, 2022

Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons That Every Homeowner Needs to Know

By Anum Yoon

The reverse mortgage is a financial option that has been around for decades, but relatively few people ever use them. However, the truth is, many people in their sixties and older end up with a majority of their wealth tied up in their home, while ...

Continue reading Reverse Mortgage Pros and Cons That Every Homeowner Needs to Know

August 23, 2022

How to Save Money for Your Mortgage Deposit

By Sabado Domingo

Getting onto the property ladder is an important step that many individuals strive for. Having your own home isn't just about having a place to sleep at night, it's also about preparing for the future and building equity. With your own place, you'll ...

Continue reading How to Save Money for Your Mortgage Deposit

August 18, 2022

100 Words On: Why the Most Valuable Monopoly Property Isn’t Boardwalk

By Len Penzo

When playing Monopoly, the conventional wisdom is that the best property to own is Boardwalk because it commands the highest rent. However, savvy players know the most valuable property is actually Illinois Avenue. How can that be? Well, one of the ...

Continue reading 100 Words On: Why the Most Valuable Monopoly Property Isn’t Boardwalk

August 18, 2022

Why You Should Consider a 203k Mortgage When Buying a Fixer-Upper

By Sabado Domingo

Purchasing a home that requires repairs and renovations can seem impractical. Generally, lenders don't allow homeowners to purchase the property until after repairs are completed; however, an FHA 203k loan allows property owners to roll home ...

Continue reading Why You Should Consider a 203k Mortgage When Buying a Fixer-Upper

June 22, 2022

Can You Afford a Home?

By Enero Febrero

Purchasing a home is one of the bigger moments in many people's lives, whether or not they have purchased on in the past. But with rising home prices and interest rates, it can seem less and less affordable to acquire your own home. There are a few ...

Continue reading Can You Afford a Home?

June 16, 2022

Money-Saving Strategies for Leasing a Property

By Enero Febrero

Most businesses benefit from leasing property, rather than owning it. But for some it's not entirely obvious why leasing is the better option. The truth is, there are four big reasons why leasing can often be more beneficial than owning: It's cost ...

Continue reading Money-Saving Strategies for Leasing a Property

May 25, 2022

Buying Your First Home? Here Are Some Financial Assistance Options

By Sabado Domingo

Do you dream of someday owning a home of your own? Are you concerned that you'll never be able to swing it financially? Lack of money for a down payment, closing costs, inspections, and other expenses related to purchasing a home can definitely ...

Continue reading Buying Your First Home? Here Are Some Financial Assistance Options

May 20, 2022

Grandfather Says: Grandfather’s House and Custom Built Stairs

By RD Blakeslee

In the first article in this series, Grandfather talked about building your own house. Here's his during the build: And here's where Grandfather lived while his house was being built: When he was younger he and his friends (most now ...

Continue reading Grandfather Says: Grandfather’s House and Custom Built Stairs

April 28, 2022

5 Things Everybody Should Do Before Applying for a Mortgage

By Tex Freitag

Have you checked your credit score? Do you have all of the correct paperwork in order? Are you aware of the market in which you are planning to buy? Applying for a mortgage is never an easy job. You can't change your income or credit history ...

Continue reading 5 Things Everybody Should Do Before Applying for a Mortgage

April 19, 2022

What Girl Scout Cookies Can Teach Us About Mortgages

By Len Penzo

I love this time of year because the Girl Scouts in my area are out selling their cookies. Of course, that means they'll soon be knocking on my door -- and I'll once again spend 10 minutes agonizing between the Thin Mints, Do-Si-Dos and Caramel ...

Continue reading What Girl Scout Cookies Can Teach Us About Mortgages

April 18, 2022

Replace Your Roof Now and Recoup That Money When You Sell!

By Corazon Gritar

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Research shows that people move an average of 12 times in their lifetime. So, if you are selling your house, replacing your roof can be a great way to recoup some of the money you've invested in your home. Roof replacement costs vary greatly ...

Continue reading Replace Your Roof Now and Recoup That Money When You Sell!

April 14, 2022

House Hunting Tips: Finding The Perfect Starter Home

By Sabado Domingo

If you've just received approval from a lender for a mortgage loan and you're ready to buy your first home, there are several valid reasons why you should consider a starter home. Instead of battling to afford your dream home right away, choosing a ...

Continue reading House Hunting Tips: Finding The Perfect Starter Home

March 31, 2022

What’s the Fastest Way to Pay Down the Mortgage Early?

By Len Penzo

Vanilla or chocolate? Credit or debit? House Hunters or Property Brothers? Some questions can be answered with relative ease by almost everyone. On the other hand, when it comes to paying down mortgages early, a much more perplexing ...

Continue reading What’s the Fastest Way to Pay Down the Mortgage Early?

March 14, 2022

4 Steps to Take When You Have to Sell Your House Quickly

By Sabado Domingo

It can be overwhelming to wake up one day and realize -- OMG! -- I need to sell my house! Maybe you lost your job or hopefully, you got that big promotion, and you have to move halfway across the country. Whatever the catalyst may be, when you ...

Continue reading 4 Steps to Take When You Have to Sell Your House Quickly

March 8, 2022

How to Become a Homeowner In 3 Easy Steps

By Sabado Domingo

For many people, owning a home is part of the American Dream. Given the number of available homes on the market coupled with historically low interest rates, it's no wonder that more and more people are taking steps to purchase their own home. With a ...

Continue reading How to Become a Homeowner In 3 Easy Steps

February 16, 2022

Con-Do or Con-Don’t: What to Consider Before Buying a Condo Investment Property

By Corazon Gritar

There's no denying the fact that real estate investments, when executed properly, can lead to a number of financial rewards. But while most investors think of single and multi-family homes as being the wisest investments, many people underestimate ...

Continue reading Con-Do or Con-Don’t: What to Consider Before Buying a Condo Investment Property

February 15, 2022

Buying a House vs. Being a Life-Long Renter

By Sabado Domingo

According to a 2016 census, as much as 67% of the population are homeowners. That's not surprising as most Australians dream of owning their own home. However, for some, it is not possible and others need to choose between buying a house and being a ...

Continue reading Buying a House vs. Being a Life-Long Renter

February 14, 2022

Reverse Mortgages as Payment for Elderly Care

By Tex Freitag

Typically, elderly care can be expensive. If you have an elderly family member, it's one of the concerns you have to think about as they age and experience physical and cognitive decline. No matter how independent they are when they're young, it'll ...

Continue reading Reverse Mortgages as Payment for Elderly Care

January 14, 2022

The 5 Biggest Mortgage Mistakes a Home Buyer Can Make

By Jay Robert

A mortgage is often the single biggest loan someone obtains in his or her lifetime, typically costing tens of thousands of dollars in interest alone. Therefore it's especially important to avoid some of the key mistakes that many home buyers make ...

Continue reading The 5 Biggest Mortgage Mistakes a Home Buyer Can Make

December 29, 2021

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