Here’s what homebuyers can expect when making their first home purchase, from prequalification to mortgage approval.
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Introducing the first-time homebuyer’s handbook
Buying your first home is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll make. Download our first-time homebuyer’s handbook to learn what’s involved.
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Buying A Home In The Off-Season Can Have Its Advantages
With the exception of a few sun belt states, shopping for a house in the winter just seems off. The traditional time to go from listing to listing is spring and summer. But while things slow down this time of year, there are some hidden advantages to choosing it as your buying season. In fact,…
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Building a House vs. Buying: What is Right for You?
Building a house vs. buying. It’s a question that faces many who enter the housing market. Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer or you’re looking for something that better fits your family’s needs, it’s a question that you’ll likely have to consider. Whatever direction you decide to go, it’s important to compare the positives and negatives…
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Note the Rules of Using Gift Money for a Down Payment
Down payments are challenging for many first-time homebuyers. It seems that the initial financial stab at home ownership is among the greatest roadblocks of owning a home. The transition from renter to homeowner or to vacate their parents’ basement as they save up is taking longer and longer. Family members willing to pitch in financially…
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Why Should I Use a VA Loan
The VA loan is one of the best mortgage loans there is. Here are some reasons why. First, VA guarantees the loan for 100% of the appraised value of the property (technically, the loan is for the Notice Of Value amount, which in most cases is the same thing). This guarantee means that the lender…
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How does a home appraisal really work?
Home appraisals are typically required during the home buying process in order to determine the current fair market value of the home. The home appraisal process is a combination of science and opinion—but mostly science, even though the value that the appraiser delivers is called an “opinion of value” as of the effective date of…
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Is Buying a Home With a 20% Down Payment Standard?
A 20% down payment is anything but standard. Making a smaller down payment does involve some form of mortgage insurance (MI). Conventional loans are available with as little as 3% down.
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First-time homebuyers reality check
Many first-time home buyers have stars in their eyes when they first begun house-hunting. Their ideal is a house that is move-in-ready, offers the number of bedrooms/baths/square footage they’re looking for, is in a great neighborhood and, of course, is within their budget. Matching all that criteria is often a tall order, especially the move-in-ready aspect…
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Saving for a house and other financial considerations
Moving into your own house can be exciting and frightening at the same time. Before transitioning from renting to owning a home, you’ll need to create a savings plan that not includes your down payment (typically 5 to 20 percent of the home’s value) but also a reserve fund to cover unexpected emergencies. Tips on…
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Should You Pay Off Your Mortgage Early?
Paying down your mortgage early may be possible, but is it smart?
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Buying a Home: Know your credit score
The second step in buying a home is finding out your credit score, and deciding how to proceed based on that.
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The Benefits of a 15-Year Mortgage
As a homebuyer, one of the biggest decisions you’ll have to make revolves around the type of financing you wish to obtain.
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Why Refinancing Can Be A Smart Financial Move
Current homeowners can also benefit from low mortgage rates by choosing to refinance their home.
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Know What to Expect Before Getting a Mortgage
Getting a mortgage will take some time. Before you head to a lender, it’s important to ensure your finances are in order so you can secure the best possible interest rates and don’t fall behind on future payments.
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