In the United States, commercial finance is the function of offering loans to businesses. Commercial financing is generally offered by a bank or other lender. Most commercial banks offer commerial financing, and the loans are usually secured by business assets. Assets used to collatoralize commercial finance loans include: A commercial mortgage is a loan made using real estate as collateral to secure repayment. A commercial mortgage is similar to a residential mortgage, except the collateral is a commercial building or other business real estate, not residential property. In addition, commercial mortgages are typically taken on by businesses instead of individual borrowers. The borrower may be a partnership, incorporated business, or limited company, so assessment of the creditworthiness of the business can be more complicated than is the case with residential mortgages. Commercial mortgages are typically nonrecourse, that is, that in the event of default in repayment, the creditor can only seize the collateral, but has no further claim against the borrower for any remaining deficiency. Less commonly, the mortgage is supplemented by a general obligation of the borrower, which makes the debt payable in full even if foreclosure on the mortgaged collateral does not satisfy the outstanding balance.

A homeowner can hire a general contractor to oversee a home improvement project that involves multiple trades. A general contractor acts as project manager, providing access to the site, removing debris, coordinating work schedules, and performing some aspects of the work. Sometimes homeowners bypass the general contractor, and hire tradesmen themselves, including plumbers, electricians and roofers. Another strategy is to "do it yourself" (DIY). Several major American retailers, such as Home Depot and Lowes, specialize in selling materials and tools for DIY home improvement. These stores even host classes and carry numerous books from the very specific to the general in order to educate customers how to do the work themselves. With the rise of residential renovation has come the rise of the renovation problems[citation needed]. The search for a reputable contractor or trades person is daunting for many homeowners and can be filled with stress. Considering that the home is typically the biggest investment of any family, no homeowner wants to jeopardize their investment in the hands of a "less than reputable" company or person. A typical short checklist might include: * Slow down. Finding a good contractor takes time and research. * Remember that the Yellow Pages doesn't make sure a contractor has a license or insurance * Ask to see Proof of Liability Insurance. Don't accept a contractor's word, require the documentation * Ask to see a Renovator's License. Many cities require this license so ask for it. * Ask if your project needs a Building Permit. Remember many projects require a permit from the city government * Let your home insurance company know. Don't wait until you have a repair claim or you might not have coverage

A home inspector non-invasively examines the condition of a home, often in connection with the sale of that home. This process is referred to as a home inspection. An inspector will check the roof, basement, heating system, water heater, air-conditioning system, structure, plumbing, electrical, and many other aspects of buildings looking for damage which may require expensive repairs, as well as fire, safety, and health hazards. Think of a home inspector as a detective searching throughout the house for clues that lead to a conclusion of the home's overall condition. A home inspector is sometimes confused with a real estate appraiser. A home inspector determines the condition of a structure, whereas an appraiser determines the value of a property. A home cannot "fail" an inspection, as there is no score or passing grade given. A professional home inspection is an examination of the current condition of a house. It is not an appraisal. It is not a municipal inspection, which verifies local building code code compliance. A home inspector, therefore, will not pass or fail a house, but rather describe its physical condition and indicate what components and systems may need a major repair or replacement.

A mortgage is a method of using property (real or personal) as security for the payment of a debt. The term mortgage (from Law French, lit. dead pledge) refers to the legal device used for this purpose, but it is also commonly used to refer to the debt secured by the mortgage, the mortgage loan. In most jurisdictions mortgages are strongly associated with loans secured on real estate rather than other property (such as ships) and in some cases only land may be mortgaged. Arranging a mortgage is seen as the standard method by which individuals and businesses can purchase residential and commercial real estate without the need to pay the full value immediately. See mortgage loan for residential mortgage lending, and commercial mortgage for lending against commercial property. In many countries it is normal for home purchases to be funded by a mortgage. In countries where the demand for home ownership is highest, strong domestic markets have developed, notably in Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States.

Online community is a group of people that primarily interact via some form of mechanism such as letters, telephone, email or Usenet rather than face to face. If the mechanism is a computer network, it is called an online community. Virtual and online communities have also become a supplemental form of communication between people who know each other primarily in real life. A computer-mediated community (CMC) uses social software to regulate the activities of participants. Significant socio-technical change has resulted from the proliferation of Internet-based social networks.[1] The agglomeration of all online communities is sometimes called the metaverse.

A real estate appraisal is a service performed by a licensed or certified appraiser who develops an opinion of value. While there are many definitions of value (e.g. -- investment value, tax value, foreclosure value), the most common definition of value is market value. If the appraisers opinion is based on market value, then it must also be based on the highest and best use of the real property. For mortgage valuations of improved residential property in the U.S., the appraisal is most often reported on a standardized form, such as the Uniform Residential Appraisal Report.[1] Appraisals of more complex property (e.g. -- income producing, raw land) are usually reported in a narrative appraisal report. An appraisal is performed for a specific client, to whom the appraiser has a fiduciary responsibility, regardless of what party ultimately pays for the appraisal, whether anyone actually pays for the appraisal, or when the appraisal is paid for. Typically residential appraisers agree to accept orders from lending institutions with the understanding that payment will be made following settlement, or closing of the loan. In most cases, the homeowner or buyer ultimately pays for a residential appraisal, either directly or rolled into settlement fees.

A home is a place where a person or family lives, perhaps spends much of their time, or where a person is comfortable being.

Title insurance is insurance against loss from defects in title to real property and from the invalidity or unenforceability of mortgage liens. It is available in many countries but it is principally a product developed and sold in the United States. It is meant to protect an owner's or lender's financial interest in real property against loss due to title defects, liens or other matters. It will defend against a lawsuit attacking the title as it is insured, or reimburse the insured for the actual monetary loss incurred, up to the dollar amount of insurance provided by the policy. Typically the real property interests insured are fee simple ownership or a mortgage. However, title insurance can be purchased to insure any interest in real property, including an easement, lease or life estate. Just as lenders require fire insurance and other types of insurance coverage to protect their investment, nearly all institutional lenders also require title insurance to protect their interest in the collateral of loans secured by real estate. Some mortgage lenders, especially non-institutional lenders, may not require title insurance.