Sandra Kenrick

The bundle of rights describes what you’re allowed to do with your property but is subject to HOA, local and state laws, restrictions or conditions
The bundle of rights transfers to the new homeowner when they receive possession of the property. It describes a set of legal rights related to how you use the property
Sometimes called the “bundle of sticks,” the bundle of rights can be separated (like sticks) and lost or given to various parties or entities
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You’ll probably receive a var...

A right of way easement allows an individual, a group of people or the general public to travel through another person's land for a limited purpose
The right of way easement is one of the most common types of easements
Easements can affect property value and impact your ability to build or renovate on your land
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If you’re trying to buy a property, you might have come across the concept of right of way easements. Easements are a common component of real estate law. The right of way eas...

A mortgage float-down option keeps your mortgage interest rate from rising but lets you take advantage of lower rates
Float-down options may involve fees or not be available at all, making a standard rate lock advantageous
There are other ways to lower your rate, even after closing, such as refinancing and adjustable-rate mortgages (ARM)
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Once you start considering buying a home, the obvious next step is researching and creating a plan. And you quickly find one phrase that seems to pr...

Home title theft is a form of identity theft that occurs when someone forges a homeowner's name on a deed
Thieves sometimes commit deed fraud by refinancing a mortgage and taking out equity without the homeowner being aware
Home title thieves often target rental properties and vacation homes, even selling the homes without the actual owner realizing what has happened
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When you think of theft, you probably think of someone stealing your wallet, your phone or maybe even your car. The id...

A real estate crowdfunding platform lets you pool your money with other people to buy into real estate investments
With smaller minimum investments, crowdfunding platforms are a great way to diversify your portfolio
Crowdfunding in real estate is still relatively new, and there's some risk involved, so take your time when picking a platform
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When it comes to investing, real estate crowdfunding is the newest kid on the block. Crowdfunding sites are popping up on the web, promising a re...

Mortgage reinstatement is the process of paying off late payments and fees on a defaulted home loan to restore it to good standing
Mortgage reinstatement is typically one of the last steps you can take to avoid foreclosure
The reinstatement period – the amount of time you have to restore a mortgage in foreclosure – varies by state
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Three things in life are certain: taxes, iPhone updates and unexpected expenses.
Unexpected expenses can cost homeowners a lot – even their homes. If you’r...

A mortgage lender (also known as a mortgage banker), like a credit union, bank or online lender, gives you a loan to purchase or refinance real estate or tap into its equity
There are three types of mortgage lenders: retail lenders, direct lenders and online lenders
A mortgage broker matches borrowers with lenders, ensuring that each borrower gets the best loan for their financial situation
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Buying a home is more than a major life milestone. It’s a major financial investment. And with...

Mortgage fraud takes many forms, sometimes overlapping with identity theft and various scams
The penalties for mortgage fraud are fairly severe and include jail time and significant fines
There are steps you can take to spot mortgage fraud and avoid it
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Buying a home can be a complex process – especially if it’s your first time. The stockpile of loan paperwork alone can be daunting. It’s safe to say that there’s a lot to keep track of. So staying organized – and vigilant – will not on...

With an eMortgage, the whole mortgage process – from beginning to end – happens on the web through a secure digital portal (as long as your state permits it)
Depending on the lender and location, you may be able to close online using video conferencing software
Some lenders offer a hybrid approach, allowing you to complete portions of the loan process electronically and others physically
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The internet has given us countless innovations over the last several years. And these days, you ...

Your mortgage is underwater if the principal balance of the loan exceeds your home's estimated value
Underwater mortgages are more common during economic recessions
Your options for dealing with an underwater mortgage include waiting for your home's value to increase, refinancing, a short sale, foreclosure or bankruptcy
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When it comes to owning a home, some surprises aren’t as welcome as others. If you just found out that your outstanding mortgage balance is more than your home is wor...

The thing to remember about a second home is that it can’t be your primary residence, both for legal and tax reasons
The IRS defines a second home as a property you visit at least 14 days out of the year or 10% of the days it’s rented[1]
Trying to pass a second home off as your primary residence is considered fraud
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If you thought buying your first home felt like one of the biggest financial moves of your life, you may have even more to think about if you buy a second home. In particu...

Chain of title tells the entire story of ownership of a home or property
Chain of title is recorded in a series of documents that trace the transfer of a home or property from one owner to the next
Owner’s title insurance can help shield a homeowner from any judgments, liens, claims or errors in a chain of title
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Chain of title is the history of ownership of any real property. Each time a property is sold or transferred from one owner to the next, the title, or ownership, of that prop...

2022 is the year to beat inflation and make your money work for you. Savings peaked both times stimulus checks went out. And in September 2021, the typical low-income household experienced a median cash balance increase of around 70%, with high-income households coming in at around 40%. While there are no more stimulus checks earmarked, you still have a chance to turn your savings around with a savings roadmap.
Step 1: Cyberstalk your payments like Joe from 'You' would stalk his new neighbor!...

As the year comes to a close and you’re filling our holiday stockings and whipping up festive goodies, it’s also a time of year to re-evaluate your winter spending. Are you making the most of your savings?
Create a little checklist to see if it’s time to pull the brake on those pumpkin spice lattes and top up the retirement fund instead.
1. Max out your health savings account
Got a tax consultant? Call them up and start discussing the tax advantages of maxing out your health savings account (...

Discover the treasure trove that is couponing and how this world of freebies and stellar discounts becomes your new normal with our quick guide on coupon lingo.
Understanding coupon lingo can feel like standing in a foreign food market, trying to buy a pocket of tomatoes. It's not just the lingo that can throw you, there's also an understated art to working the coupon system to get the most out of it. You need to know which coupons work best with which combinations, the stores that make it wo...