Sarah Li Cain

An escalation clause in real estate is a section in the contract where a potential homebuyer states that they’re willing to increase their offer if the seller ends up getting a higher bid. This type of clause tends to be more prevalent in a compet... read more

A primary residence is a home that you live in a majority of the time. Understanding the official primary residence definition and how lenders and the IRS classify different property types prepares you for the tax and financial implications of prope... read more

A first-time homebuyer class helps you learn about the ins and outs of the homebuying process and what it means to be a homeowner. Even if your mortgage lender or homebuyer assistance program doesn’t require you to attend a homebuyer education co... read more

As a new homeowner, you may wonder exactly what does homeowners insurance cover and why do you need it. Your home is one of the largest investments you’ll ever make, so it makes sense that you’d want to safeguard it in any way you can. That̵... read more

If you’re buying a home in a rural community, you might qualify for a USDA loan. These loans are guaranteed by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and offer an affordable homeownership path to low- and moderate-income borrowers in approved r... read more

You’ve probably heard of a down payment when buying a home, but there’s another payment you have to provide when you make an offer on a home called earnest money. If you’re wondering what is earnest money, it’s simply a depos... read more