Good Neighbor Next Door Program: How It Works
The Good Neighbor Next Door program might sound almost too good to be true: Teachers, law enforcement officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians can buy homes for 50% off the…
Barbara Marquand
Barbara Marquand is a NerdWallet authority on insurance. She has written about personal finance for more than a decade, including the intricacies of auto, home, health, life and long-term care insurance. She now writes about mortgages and homeownership. Her work has appeared in MarketWatch, MSN Money, USA Today, The Washington Post and many others. Outside of work, Barb enjoys do-it-yourself projects and is saving for the next round of home improvements. Email: [email protected]
Posts by Barbara Marquand:
What to Know About Buying a Manufactured Home
Formerly known as mobile homes, manufactured homes are sold mostly through retail dealerships and can be customized to fit your needs and budget. Manufactured homes are an affordable alternative for…
VA Cash-Out Refinance: How It Works
NOTE: Due to the coronavirus outbreak, refinancing may be a bit of a challenge. Lenders are dealing with high loan demand and staffing issues. If you can’t pay your current…
VA Appraisals: Requirements, Fees and What to Expect
When you apply for any type of mortgage to buy a home, the lender will usually require an appraisal to estimate the home’s value. The same goes for a VA…
Can I Buy or Sell a House During the Coronavirus Pandemic?
As spring homebuying season approached this year, Mike and Tammy York of Lompoc, California, listed their house for sale and started looking for a home to buy in Bakersfield, California,…
How to Save on Car Insurance: Smart Ways to Lower Your Rate
Car insurance is a must if you own a vehicle, and you’ll be glad you have it after an accident. But you don’t want to spend a penny more than…
Non-Owner Car Insurance: Where to Buy and What It Covers
Non-owner car insurance provides liability coverage when you don’t have a car and drive one that isn’t yours. Liability coverage pays for injuries and property damage you cause to others…
Understanding iBuyers: A New Way to Buy or Sell a Home
What is an iBuyer? An iBuyer is a real estate company that uses algorithms and technology to buy and resell homes quickly. The “i” is for “instant.” When selling a…
How a Home Appraisal Works
When you apply for a home loan, a lender will usually require an appraisal of the property, whether you’re buying a house or refinancing a mortgage. What is a home…
How to Avoid PMI When Buying a Home
Private mortgage insurance, or PMI, is insurance coverage that protects the lender in case a borrower defaults on a home loan. Typically a lender will require you to pay for…
