Scott Alexander's (excoach) Blog

Why should I buy, instead of rent? Answer: A home is an investment. When you rent, you write your monthly check and that money is gone forever. But when you own your home, you can deduct the cost of your mortgage loan interest from your federal income taxes, and usually from your state taxes. Th...

The builder's sales agents are paid to represent the builder, regardless of what they may tell you. Many will use high pressure tactics to persuade you to sign the contract. Due to the high volume nature of brand new home sales, lots of builder's agents are paid less than a traditional commissio...

I have to admit, I love popcorn. It's best dripping with butter-just enough to make my arteries begin to clog. Watching a movie without popcorn just isn't right; it's seems almost un-American.  The only thing I can think that is negative about popcorn is that it makes handholding in the theater h...

Why should I buy, instead of rent? Answer: A home is an investment. When you rent, you write your monthly check and that money is gone forever. But when you own your home, you can deduct the cost of your mortgage loan interest from your federal income taxes, and usually from your state taxes. Th...

Hire Your Own Agent The builder's sales agents are paid to represent the builder, regardless of what they may tell you. Many will use high pressure tactics to persuade you to sign the contract. Due to the high volume nature of brand new home sales, lots of builder's agents are paid less than a tr...

Are you a veteran with a subprime loan? Well, help might be on the way. I was reading my dad's copy of Military Officer and read an interesting note that could be helpful.  The Veteran's Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 has made it possible for a veteran with a subprime loan to refinance it. Good...

Are you a veteran with a subprime loan? Well, help might be on the way. I was reading my dad's copy of Military Officer and read an interesting note that could be helpful.  The Veteran's Benefits Improvement Act of 2008 has made it possible for a veteran with a subprime loan to refinance it. Good...

So are you ready to sell? What do you need to do? Imagine that you are one of my favorite cartoon characters, Dagwood Bumstead, and you get out the jar filled with Daisy's Honey-do's. Instead of postponing them one more time, work your way through the jar. The last thing a buyer wants to look at ...

If you are like me, and think that the planet is a big deal, but are not certain what to do about it, I have a thought. Recycle!!  I am mindful of two things as I make this suggestion: First and foremost are my children for whom I want to leave earth in better shape than when I found it.  My mom ...

When I bought my first house in 1973, I didn't have clue what was going on. At every turn, I called my dad and asked for his advice. As I remember it now, my agent was a bit on the clueless side, too, we made quite a pair. One week after closing, my sewer line collapsed. While I was try to clean ...