I'd like to buy a place in America. I'd also like to buy a place in Hungary. I've got enough for a 20% down payment on both. I've also been told that I would qualify for a loan for a place (in America) equal to what the cost of the *two* places would, in actuality, be. I would have no problem affording both - I live on about 25% of my net income and have not a penny of debt, even if the mortgages would be equal to the upper end of what I might qualify for - so I'm not worried about that. But does the fact that I'd be buying *two* places, in two different countries, affect the situation? [more inside]
posted by Dee Xtrovert on Nov 1, 2009 - 2 answers

How much is reasonable (if anything) to pay to a lender for a mortgage application fee? [more inside]
posted by mockjovial on Oct 22, 2009 - 15 answers

What do you wish you would have known before you sold your house? [more inside]
posted by Twicketface on Jul 6, 2009 - 18 answers

We have a house but want another one. Hope to retain ownership of both. Please help us figure out how to accomplish this in the midst of the wild economy without making a huge mistake. [more inside]
posted by anonymous on Nov 23, 2008 - 11 answers

Can I get the mortgage tax deduction if a parent transfers their house to me and I begin paying the mortgage without going through an actual sale and real estate agent/commission process? [more inside]
posted by KimikoPi on Oct 4, 2008 - 5 answers

Someone died. Does her family have to keep paying the mortgage payments? Does interest keep accruing? Can they rent it out during this period? There was no will. (This is in California.) [more inside]
posted by salvia on Jul 22, 2007 - 9 answers

I have a crappy house that is falling apart and keeping me from moving on with my life. Should I foreclose on my house? [more inside]
posted by simpleperson on Jun 25, 2007 - 25 answers

Brokers - I think I got some bad advice from a real estate broker when buying a house, and it might cost me the deal... how do I know who's telling the truth? [more inside]
posted by ny_scotsman on Jan 31, 2007 - 18 answers

How do condo developers make their money? [more inside]
posted by The Giant Squid on Jan 25, 2007 - 9 answers

My wife and I bought a house shortly after we got married last year; due to various financial circumstance, we cannot afford the house, the homeowner's insurance or the property taxes this year-- heck we really can't afford to live there anymore, period. We're working with a realtor to try and sell our house, probably for even a short sale in hopes that we won't be foreclosed upon or declare bankruptcy. We just got an offer from a company that says they specialize in buying houses-- is this the answer to our prayers, or just another come-on? [more inside]
posted by ShawnStruck on Jun 27, 2006 - 21 answers

I'd like to buy an inexpensive, second home (a summer place) in either New Hampshire or Maine. Someplace we can go for vacations/weekends with the kids. But I have no idea how to go about finding such a place, or what options there are for paying for it. Any suggestions?
posted by GernBlandston on Jan 24, 2006 - 6 answers