Homebuyers often rely on a real estate agent to select the settlement company they use to buy a home. It’s not a bad idea to have a few names ahead of time so you can do a little research and pick the one that is best for you. But what are the important factors when selecting a settlement company?

My friend has been talking about her meals at Sugo for weeks. When she convinced me to give it a try, I understood why she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Curious how the DC metropolitan area high schools rank nationally? When parents with young children start the home buying process, one of the first things they think about are the neighborhood schools. Each year there are many state and national school rankings that come out with different methods of evaluating schools.

If you know me at all you know that I am a big fan of little dive bars and diners, especially quirky places that serve breakfast around the clock. My husband and I were regulars at the Waffle Shop near Metro Center in DC for many years and my friend Cindy and I have eaten breakfasts at truck stops and diners all over the United States. I know the one thing that makes these places special – it’s the service.

It would only cost $100 per share to participate in a DC real estate venture and it seemed like a great way to get involved with very little up-front investment. I decided to buy two shares, one for each of my daughters, and pressed the button to invest. Sadly, they will not allow Maryland residents to participate.