Do Your Own Credit Check Before You Rent

August 14, 2013

I knew I needed to have pretty good credit before I rented my home, but I never thought I’d have to check the credit of my landlord.  This was a lesson I learned several years ago after losing my security deposit to a landlord that eventually filed for bankruptcy. It all started six years ago when my wife and I moved to North Carolina. We were looking to purchase a home, but with so many on the market, we didn’t want to rush to buy, so we decided to rent for a few months. Continue reading “Do Your Own Credit Check Before You Rent”

Do Your Own Credit Check Before You Rent

July 24, 2013

I knew I needed to have pretty good credit before I rented my home, but I never thought I’d have to check the credit of my landlord.  This was a lesson I learned several years ago after losing my security deposit to a landlord that eventually filed for bankruptcy. It all started six years ago when my wife and I moved to North Carolina.  We were looking to purchase a home, but with so many on the market, we didn’t want to rush to buy, so we decided to rent for a few months.  Continue reading “Do Your Own Credit Check Before You Rent”

I’m Thinking the Real Estate Market is Due for a Strong Turnaround. Should I Buy Investment Property?

February 03, 2011

I get this question all the time over the Financial Helpline and in one-on-ones with the employees we work with.  I also hear it regularly from friends who want to know my perspective on this as a financial planner.

What is interesting about this question is that the answer, surprisingly, has very little to do with the real estate market.  And that’s why so many people make bad decisions in this area.  They base their decisions on what they think the real estate market is going to do, when instead, they should be looking at their own financial situation to make a decision on this. Continue reading “I’m Thinking the Real Estate Market is Due for a Strong Turnaround. Should I Buy Investment Property?”