Pete Marck, Certified Probate Specialist

09/25/2026

Buying a home is a process that is naturally confusing for the first-timer. A common bewilderment is about how much home can be purchased for the amount of money being loaned. If you've ever watched Home & Garden Television's 'Property Virgins' you've seen this on display. The show's real...

09/23/2026

09/20/2026

Imagine your first weekend in a new home; a home without nasty smells leftover from the previous occupants, no smudged baseboards and a sparkling clean refrigerator that has never held leftovers. The only thing you need to do this weekend is relax and enjoy your new home. Sure, there are other reaso...

09/15/2026

Houses are like the clothes in your children's wardrobe – before you know it, they're too small. Now outgrowing a house doesn't happen as quickly or as often as Junior goes through shoes, but if you're planning a family, that house you live in now will feel awfully tight down the road. This is whe...

09/12/2026

Buying real estate means also buying insurance ― several different types, in fact. Private mortgage insurance (PMI) is sometimes demanded by the lender to ensure the loan is repaid if the borrower defaults. Homeowner's insurance is a necessity to protect the lender's financial interests. Then ther...

09/01/2026

Unless you'll be paying cash for a home or you are applying for a loan backed by the government (such as a USDA or VA loan) or a Fannie Mae or Freddie Mac loan, you'll need at least 20 percent of the loan amount in cash. This is the down payment, required by the lender. The larger the down payment,....