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Our Mission.

You care about your home. The NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® cares about homeownership. To help you become the best, most responsible homeowner you aspire to be, we want to provide you with free information and tools you can use to make smart and timely decisions about your home.

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Author Profiles

Richard Koreto

Richard J. Koreto is a freelance writer. He has been editor of several professional financial magazines and is the author of “Run It Like a Business,” a practice management book for financial planners. He and his wife own a pre-Civil War house in Rockland County, N.Y.

Articles by this author

Man securing cashier's check at bank for loan reinstatement

(New!)

Fight Foreclosure Through Redemption or Reinstatement

Redemptions and reinstatements are among the rarest tactics to fight foreclosure. Your home must be in a state that supports them; even more important, you must have access to cash. Read More

Progress C K
Effort High 1 wk for research
Investment Low $0--free HUD counselor
Added to Binder
For rent sign in home's yard

The Costs of Renting Out Your House

Renting out your house can be a smart financial move, as long as you calculate your costs carefully. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 30 min./mo (record-keeping)
Investment Low $600/yr (mgt co)
Added to Binder
Alan J. Kahn of AJK Financial Group

Tips for Investing a Tax Refund in Your Home

HouseLogic talks to financial planner Alan D. Kahn, who offers tips for investing a tax refund in your home based on where you are in life—and with your house. Read More

Progress K
Investment Low 1 day (review finances)
Added to Binder
Car accidents will impact your umbrella insurance rates

The Cost of Umbrella Insurance for Homeowners

The surprising thing about the cost of umbrella insurance is that it can be influenced as much by your driving record as it can be by your record as a homeowner. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Low $60/yr (multi-policy discount)
Effort Low 2 hrs (purchase a policy)
Investment Low $300/yr ($1 million umbrella)
Added to Binder
Backyard trampoline covered by an umbrella insurance policy

What’s Covered by Umbrella Insurance?

Homeowners can better guard against liability claims by understanding what’s covered by umbrella insurance and, equally important, what isn’t. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 2 hrs (purchase a policy)
Investment Low $300/yr ($1 million umbrella)
Added to Binder
Person injured at a home

Umbrella Insurance and Homeowner Liability

Umbrella insurance offers added homeowner liability protection that kicks in after homeowners insurance reaches its coverage limits. Read More

Progress K
Effort Low 2 hrs (purchase a policy)
Investment Low $300/yr ($1 million umbrella)
Added to Binder
Man smiling as he cancels private mortgage insurance

Cancel Your Private Mortgage Insurance

Private mortgage insurance is unavoidable for some homeowners, but don’t pay PMI premiums a day longer than required by your lender. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $600-$1,200/yr (cancel PMI)
Effort Low 1 hr (calculate LTV)
Investment Low $362 (avg appraisal)
Added to Binder
Man shopping for windows for historic preservation

Tax Incentives for Historic Preservation

Tax incentives, including credits, deductions, and easements, are available for historic preservation, but the rules can be complicated. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $500 tax credit/$2,500 spent
Effort High 60 days (initial review)
Investment High $10,000 (fees, consulting)
Added to Binder
House for sale in neighborhood

Claim Your Homebuyer Tax Credits

Whether a first-time buyer or a longtime owner, you may be eligible for a homebuyer tax credit if you meet IRS guidelines. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $8,000 (max tax credit)
Effort Low 1 hr (Form 5405)
Investment Low $187 (avg tax-prep fee)
Added to Binder
Woman reviewing PMI documents

Deduct Private Mortgage Insurance

Homeowners who are eligible to deduct private mortgage insurance, or PMI, premiums can shave hundreds of dollars off their income tax bills. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money Med $438/yr (on $100,000 AGI)
Effort Low 1 hr (calculate LTV)
Investment Low $50-$100/mo (PMI premium)
Added to Binder
Cottage in suburbs

Deduct Mortgage Interest and Home Equity Loans

Deducting mortgage interest, as well as interest on home equity loans and HELOCs, can save money on taxes. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $988 (on $100,000 AGI)
Effort Low 1 hr (review IRS chart)
Investment Low $0
Added to Binder
Couple making financial plan for their home

A Financial Plan for Your Home

Your home is probably the biggest investment you’ll ever make. Create a financial plan that takes into account repairs, upgrades, mortgages, insurance, and taxes. Read More

Progress $ K
Save Money High $14,887 (mortgage interest)
Effort Med 2 days
Investment Med $100/mo (extra payment)
Added to Binder