There is a lot of misinformation and short sale myths floating around in the industry today.

From agents who don't sell short sales claiming any moron agent can do it to those who won't touch short sale with a 10-foot pole because they're afraid. Don't make the mistake of believing that short sales aren't complicated, because some of them can be extremely difficult and convoluted to close.

However, fear or ignorance is no reason to avoid a short sale. Some of the best deals for buyers in today's real estate market can be found in a short sale . . . read more about Short Sale Myths.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• How to Do a Short Sale
  
• 6 Things to Know Before Buying a Short Sale
  
• Waiting for Short Sale Approval

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The time to apply for a home equity loan is when you don't need it and rates are low.

Home owners often lament, "I've got a lot of equity but it's not in my pocket." One way to put that equity into your pocket is to sell. Another is to refinance your existing loan with a new, larger loan. The third option, which many people forget to consider, is to take out a home equity loan.

Home equity loans are junior, second to and subordinate to the existing first mortgage. Because they are smaller loans, typically home owners will pay smaller fees, if any, to tap that equity . . . read more about a home equity loan.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• Where to Get a Mortgage
  
• Questions to Ask Your Mortgage Lender
  
• Repairs Before Resale

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When you have a home to sell before you can buy another, it can be scary to receive notice of first right of refusal.

Sellers generally don’t advertise that a contingent offer is acceptable. In fact, some won’t even consider a contingent offer — meaning the buyer needs to sell an existing home before the buyer can fulfill the terms of the contract to purchase — because they don’t understand how first right of refusal works.

In most cases, it’s no skin off the seller’s nose to accept a contingent offer. Sometimes it’s the motivation needed for another buyer to submit an offer to purchase. Why? Because the desirability of a home seems to go up when somebody else wants it.

Some types of contingent contracts allow the seller to give the buyer first right of refusal when another offer is received or the seller may be free to sell to the second buyer . . . read more about First Right of Refusal.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• Should You Buy a Home Before Selling?
  
• Types of Contract Contingencies
  
• Top 3 Offer Negotiation Tips

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If you have an urge to launch a few DIY projects, you've come to the right place.

I caught the DIY home improvement bug right after I bought my first home. At first, I was terrified. I wondered what I would do if I turned on a light switch and it didn't work. But then I figured it wasn't rocket science. So, I bought a book about simple electrical repairs and read it.

Sure enough, the day arrived when a light switch didn't work. The bulb wasn't burned out. It was the switch. So, I marched down to the hardware store and bought a new switch for about $1.19. Turned off the electricity to the house. Removed the old switch, hooked up the new switch and my problem was solved.

Do you have any idea how empowering that is to be able to fix your own stuff? Next thing I knew, I was up on the roof cutting holes to install skylights . . . read more about DIY Projects.

More Articles by Elizabeth Weintraub:

• Are You Ready to be a Home Buyer?
  
• Questions to Ask About a Home
  
• DIY Home Buying

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