Homeowner

Being a homeowner, someone who owns and lives in a residential property. Also known as property owner, it means more than just having a mortgage—it means dealing with taxes, repairs, rules, and sometimes, unexpected surprises. It’s not just about the front yard or the mortgage payment. It’s about knowing when you can raise rent, what happens if you break a lease, or why your property tax bill feels like a surprise attack.

Many property taxes, local government charges based on home value. Also known as real estate taxes, it is often paid in arrears—meaning you pay for the year that already passed. In places like Virginia, that changes how closing costs work. And if you’re not a resident but still own rental property? You’re a non-resident landlord, someone who owns rental property in the U.S. but lives abroad. Also known as foreign landlord, you still owe taxes, need to file forms, and can’t ignore local rules. Skip that, and you could get blocked from selling or lose money fast.

Then there’s the rental laws, rules that govern how landlords and tenants interact. Also known as tenancy regulations, they vary wildly by state. In Virginia, a landlord can’t just hike rent by $300 without notice. In Maryland, you need a license to rent out a unit—and getting it takes time. Meanwhile, if you’re thinking of buying land in Texas or Utah, you’re not just buying dirt—you’re buying into a system. Texas land is cheap because of supply, no income tax, and strong owner rights. Utah’s prices are rising because of population growth, not because it’s suddenly rich.

And what if you’re not buying? Renting isn’t throwing money away—it’s choosing where to spend it. The real cost of homeownership isn’t just the price tag. It’s repairs, insurance, HOA fees, and time. That’s why more people are looking at ADUs, tiny homes, or co-living. They’re not just trends—they’re practical responses to high prices and shifting priorities.

Whether you’re a homeowner, a landlord, or just trying to figure out if buying makes sense in 2025, the posts below give you the real details—not the hype. You’ll find out what a 3SLED apartment really is, how much it costs to break a lease, why New York requires two license plates (yes, really), and how to find properties without getting fooled by inflated Zillow estimates. No fluff. No jargon. Just what you need to know before you sign, pay, or move.