Warranties for Newly Built Homes: Know Your Options - For many people, a home is the most expensive purchase they ever make. It’s no wonder, then, that buyers of newly built homes are interested in warranties, which promise to repair or replace certain elements of the home, if necessary, within a certain time. According to the Federal Trade Commission, the nation’s consumer protection agency, if you’re considering a home warranty it’s important to understand what it covers, how to make a claim, and the process for resolving disputes that may arise between you and the builder or warranty company.
Time and Time Again: Buying and Selling Timeshares and Vacation Plans - The thought of owning a vacation home may sound appealing, but the year-round responsibility and expense that come with it may not. Purchasing a timeshare or vacation plan may be an alternative. If you consider a timeshare or vacation plan, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, says it’s a good idea to do some homework.
Real Estate - Many American consumers overpay by thousands of dollars in total closing costs when they purchase their homes, according to a new nationwide report from the Urban Institute. The study found that there are significant and unsupported variations in loan charges, title fees and other closing costs charged to homebuyers, and that minority borrowers pay hundreds of dollars more in total loan origination fees than do non-minority homebuyers.