Cathie Ericson

Portland

Freelance Writer at Freelance

Freelance Contributor at LearnVest

Freelance writer and content marketer ...news junkie and inquisitive observer of business, health and pop culture

Articles

6 Smart Options To Help Cover the Costs of Long-Term Care

1 week ago | synchrony.com | Cathie Ericson

We're living longer—that's the good news. The downside? A longer life comes with a new challenge: planning for the long-term care we may need down the road. And it isn't cheap. It's estimated that 20% of Americans turning 65 today will face long-term care costs exceeding $200,000. With the cost of long-term care rising, the financial burden can be significant. Yet many people may be unaware of the potential implications, along with options and strategies to cope. The good news?
How To Become a Landlord: Do You Have What It Takes?

1 week ago | yahoo.com | Cathie Ericson

In today’s housing market, rents are on the rise, and many people hoping to keep their living expenses affordable are opting to rent over buy. Given the trend, you maybe wondering whether it’s time to consider becoming a landlord. Maybe you have a spare room to rent out or better still, you’re in the position to buy a rental property.
Home-Selling Checklist: 12 Things To Do Before Selling Your House

3 weeks ago | yahoo.com | Cathie Ericson

Getting ready to sell your house? Then it’s time to roll up your sleeves and get to work because there are tons of things to do before listing your home!Selling a home, after all, entails a whole lot more than just planting a “For Sale” sign on your front lawn or uploading a few random photos of your place—especially if you’re angling for the most cash.
Top 10 Questions To Ask Your Real Estate Agent When Selling

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Cathie Ericson

A few years ago, sellers didn’t have to do much to secure top dollar for their home. But today, fluctuating interest rates, economic anxiety, and a host of other factors are contributing to stalling sales and even some slipping home values. It’s no reason to panic, but it is grounds to start getting a more strategic with your home sale. Your first step? Hiring a fantastic listing agent. A great agent can help find buyers to sell your home fast, and for the most money.
‘My Landlord Is Selling the House I’m Renting-What Are My Tenants Rights?’

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Cathie Ericson

Landlord selling your house? You’re not alone. If you’re renting a house, landlords own the property you’re living in, so they do have the right to sell it whenever they want. Still, that doesn’t mean that they can just kick their renters or tenants to the street immediately or mess with your security deposit. Tenants have rights, too! If a buyer comes along and your building suddenly has a new owner, this new landlord might make some changes that affect the spot you rent.
Do You Need a Real Estate Agent for New Construction? Here’s Why the Answer is Yes

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Cathie Ericson

Buying a brand-new home has obvious appeal—everything is fresh, modern, and move-in ready. But if you’re working directly with a builder, you might wonder: Do I really need a real estate agent for new construction? The short answer is yes. While builders have their own sales teams (often called builder’s agents), those professionals are hired to represent the builder’s best interests—not yours.
What Is Escrow? How It Keeps Homebuyers and Sellers Safe

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Cathie Ericson

An escrow account is a secure holding area for money and documents during a real estate transaction. It protects buyers, sellers, and lenders by ensuring no funds or titles change hands until all terms of the sale are met. Escrow might sound complicated, but it’s one of the most important safeguards during the homebuying process. Here’s a breakdown of how escrow works, who manages it, and how it protects both sides of the deal. What is escrow in real estate?
Do Home Seekers Need to Sign a Contract to Tour Homes?

1 month ago | yahoo.com | Cathie Ericson

It’s human nature for folks to want to see inside their neighbor’s open house—even if they’re not truly looking to buy. Trust us, stopping by to grab a cookie and gawk is something we’ve all done (or at least thought about doing). Casual lookers can wander into open houses without so much as leaving their name, but if you’re actually serious about buying a home, do you have to sign a contract with a buyer’s agent before making the rounds to visit homes for sale?
Fixing the Water Heater Is Only One of the Mandatory Repairs Sellers Are Responsible for After a Home Inspection

2 months ago | yahoo.com | Cathie Ericson

If you’re selling your home, you might wonder if there are common repairs needed after a home inspection. After all, despite it still being a sellers market, most buyers won’t commit to purchasing a place until there’s been a thorough inspection by a home inspector. So, if your home inspection turns up flaws that your homebuyer wants fixed, what then? To be sure, repair requests after an inspection are a hassle—and liable to cut into your profits, if you’re on the hook to pay for them yourself.
What Is the Definition of a Bedroom? Make Sure You Know the Legal Bedroom Requirements

Feb 4, 2025 | yahoo.com | Cathie Ericson

What Is the Definition of a Bedroom? Make Sure You Know the Legal Bedroom RequirementsIt turns out, you can’t simply place a bed in any room in your house and call it a bedroom. There are, in fact, a number of legal bedroom requirements—and both homebuyers and sellers had best know them to avoid misunderstandings related to size and square footage. These are the legal bedroom requirements and minimum bedroom sizes to take into consideration. What makes a bedroom legal?