Blog & Resources

Expert insights on waterproofing, home improvement, and building science — from our team of professionals.

Real Estate How Does a 30-Year Mortgage Work? A Practical Homeowner Guide

You signed a stack of papers at closing and walked out with a house and a thirty-year obligation. The monthly payment number…

Real Estate How Long Does Funding Take After Closing? A Practical Homeowner Guide

You sat at a table for an hour and signed your name forty-seven times. The buyer’s wire was supposed to arrive by…

Real Estate How Much Do Lawyers Charge to Sell a House? A Practical Homeowner Guide

The real estate agent commission is the cost everyone talks about. The attorney fee is the cost that shows up on the…

Real Estate What Are Monthly Home Equity Loan Payments? A Clear Guide for Homeowners

You have been paying your mortgage for eight years and the balance has dropped while the house has appreciated. The equity sitting…

Real Estate What Is a Trustee’s Deed? A Clear Guide for Homeowners

You received a document in the mail titled “Trustee’s Deed Upon Sale” after your neighbor’s house sold at a foreclosure auction. A…

Real Estate What Is a Title Insurance Commitment? A Clear Guide for Homeowners

You are a week from closing and your lender emails you a document called a “Title Commitment” or a “Commitment for Title…

Real Estate What Is a Survivorship Deed? A Clear Guide for Homeowners

You and your spouse bought a house together twenty years ago. The deed you signed at closing named both of you as…

Home Improvement How Much Does It Cost to Finish a Basement? A Practical Homeowner Guide

You have 800 square feet of empty basement space. It is currently concrete floors, exposed joists, and a single bare lightbulb. You…

Real Estate How Much House Can I Afford? The Money Guy Approach — A Practical Homeowner Guide

Your lender says you are approved for four hundred and fifty thousand dollars. Your real estate agent sends you listings at four…

Real Estate What Is the Instrument Number on a Deed? A Clear Guide for Homeowners

You pull out the deed to your house and look at the first page. In the top corner, stamped in black ink…