How to Buy and Sell a House at the Same Time (Without Getting Stuck)

A while back I worked with a couple, John and Jane Smith, who were ready to move up. (And I'd be really impressed if you know the movie reference used to protect my client's names.) Good income, plenty of equity, and a house that would sell fast. We found three homes they loved. They missed on the f

PMI Is Not the Enemy. Waiting Might Be.

I have a family member in my circle who is still waiting to have 20% saved before he buys. Every time I see him, I tell him the same thing: the market is not waiting for him. I have been saying it for a few years now. And every time, the house he could have bought is worth more than it was the last

Why I Hold Three Licenses Instead of One

My wife and I had a mortgage guy, an insurance agent, and a real estate agent. All fine at their jobs. None of them talked to each other, and not one of them asked where we wanted to be in five or ten years. They sold us the thing in front of us and moved on. The gap between those three people, the

Should I Keep Renting or Buy a House in the Chicago Suburbs Right Now?

In the fire service, we have a saying: plan for the 90% but be ready for the 10%. What that means is you train hard, keep everything in working condition, and prepare for what you know is coming. But the 10%, the calls that are unlike anything you've trained for, that's what separates people who wer