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Homebuying 101

Learn everything you need to know about buying a home.

Please read through the articles below to help you learn more about the home buying process.

Unlocking the Best Mortgage Rates: Strategies and Insights

Navigating the landscape of mortgage rates can be a daunting task for potential homeowners. Understanding the key factors that influence…

Understanding Closing Costs: What They Are and How to Reduce Them

When buying or refinancing a home, many people focus on the purchase price or the monthly payment, overlooking a crucial…

How Much Does It Cost to Build a Home

The Comprehensive Guide to Costs, Factors, Planning, Financing, and the Benefits of One-Time Close Construction Loans Building your dream home…

How to Boost Your Credit Score for Better Mortgage Terms

Your credit score plays a pivotal role in your financial life, and it can have a substantial impact on your…

Finding an Investor-Friendly Real Estate Agent: A Guide for Real Estate Investors

Real estate investment can be a lucrative venture, but navigating the waters alone can sometimes be daunting. That's where an…

Building Your Own Home: A Comprehensive Guide to Construction and Financing

Building your own home is a dream for many. Not only does it allow for personalized design, but it's also…

Who Pays Closing Costs and Loan Program Restrictions

When it comes to residential real estate transactions, closing costs can often seem like a confusing maze of fees and…

Unraveling Mortgage Closing Costs: Insights into What are Closing Costs

Navigating the complex world of mortgages can be a daunting task for any prospective homeowner. Among the many considerations is…

Empowering Homebuyers: What is PMI?

Homeownership remains a cornerstone of the American Dream, but realizing this dream often involves navigating through a labyrinth of financial…

What are Points on a Mortgage?

When navigating the world of mortgages, you'll likely encounter a variety of terms and concepts that may seem confusing at…

How a Mortgage Broker Can Shop for Private Mortgage Insurance

A mortgage broker is a professional who acts as an intermediary between borrowers and lenders to help secure the best…

What is Mortgage Insurance?

Welcome to our comprehensive guide answering the question: "What is mortgage insurance?" Whether you're a first-time homebuyer or looking to…

Understanding and Calculating Debt-to-Income Ratio

What is DTI? DTI stands for Debt-to-Income Ratio, a crucial financial metric used by lenders and individuals to assess one's…

How Much Mortgage Can I Afford?

Welcome to our comprehensive guide on calculating how much mortgage you can afford. Buying a home is a significant financial…

How Long Does It Take to Buy a Home?

The exact time that it takes to get from the home search process to turning the key and walking into…

The Home Buying Process: A Step-by-Step Guide

Welcome! Buying a home can seem like a daunting task. But fear not! With the right knowledge, tools, and guidance,…

Contingent vs. Pending in Real Estate: What Does it Mean?

Contingent vs. Pending in Real Estate: What Does it Mean? When it comes to buying and selling real estate, the…

Shopping for a New Home

A Step-by-Step Guide to Shopping for a New Home

Whether this is your first or tenth home purchase, shopping for a new home is an exciting time. It can…

Writing in a journal

First-Time Homebuyer’s Checklist

Ready to purchase your first home? Use this easy-to-follow checklist to navigate the path to home ownership. Determine Your Budget:…

holding money

Understanding Cash to Close

If you have received your Closing Disclosure from your lender, you are almost done with your home buying journey. The…

Stamping paper

How to Get Preapproved for a Mortgage

Before you begin your new home search, talk to a lender about getting preapproved for a mortgage. This important step…

home saving

5 Strategies to Save for a Home

Buying a home is a big purchase, one that takes time to save up to afford. Many homebuyers use a…

Piggy Bank

Expenses First Time Home Buyers Need to Save For

If you are getting ready to purchase your first home, there are a few expenses that you need to prepare…

Holding a map in a car

Finding the Right Location to Buy a Home

They say that buying a home is all about location, location, location. But what if you do not know what…

Price of Home

Understanding an Appraisal Contingency

When buying a new home, you have the chance to put in a number of contingencies to the purchase contract…

Buy Versus Rent

Should I Buy or Rent?

The biggest question those considering homeownership need to answer is simple: Should I buy or rent my home? Here is…

putting money into jar

How Much Income Do I Need to Buy a House?

Homeownership is not just for the ultra wealthy. While income is an important factor when buying a house, knowing exactly…

Woman thinking

What You Need to Know About Cosigning a Mortgage

If your credit, debt, or income is keeping you from buying a house, you may be tempted to have another…

Conventional Loan

Popular Loans for Buying a Home

Finding a great deal on your home purchase requires that you understand the different types of home loans available. Here…

Couple looking at home

How to Buy a House with No Money Down

Do you dream of homeownership but can’t come up with the required down payment? Don’t worry. You may be eligible…

Couple with real estate agent

Do I Need a Realtor to Buy a House?

When you are ready to make a new home purchase, the first thing to consider is who you want on…

Couple looking at computer

How Much Do I Need for a House Down Payment?

One of the first hurdles that potential homeowners must overcome is saving up a down payment. It can take years,…

Home Appraisal

A Home Appraisal Checklist

Searching for and finding the perfect new home is just one step of the home buying process. Once you find…

FHA Loan

What Is an FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium?

FHA mortgages are great for homebuyers without a sizable down payment or with low credit. Each situation is unique and…

Home Inspection

A Home Inspection Checklist

When purchasing a home, it is always a good idea to have it professionally inspected. Many lenders even require it…

Mother Walks With Son As He Rides Scooter Along Sidewalk

What to Look for in a Neighborhood When Buying a House

Evaluating a potential new home’s features is just one part of finding the perfect place to buy. You should also…

points

Buydown to Reduce Your Mortgage Interest Rate

If you are buying a home, you have probably looked at all kinds of ways to reduce your monthly mortgage…

Without a Real Estate Agent

Buying a House without a Real Estate Agent

Working with a real estate agent can be very helpful when purchasing a house, especially if you are a first-time…

Calendar

How Long Does It Take to Buy a House?

The home buying process is exciting but can be lengthy, especially if you have a purchase fall through and have…

House for sale

How to Determine if You Are in a Buyer’s Market or Seller’s Market

Being a savvy real estate buyer or seller requires that you know and understand the market conditions. This includes the…

Console table

How to Get Your House Ready to Sell

You’ve mastered the process of home buying, but are you ready to be a seller when it’s time to move…

Two Men sitting across from each other at a table.

Negotiating a House Price as a Buyer

Buying or selling a home often comes with some negotiation. In fact, it is expected and normal for both parties…

Unloading a moving van

How to Know When You Should Buy a House

Do you enthusiastically pore over home listings on online platforms in your spare time? Is driving around looking for For…

Down Payment

What Is the Average Down Payment for a Home?

One of the biggest hurdles to homeownership is saving up the all-important down payment. It can impact how much house…

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