Buying your first home can be a challenge. There’s a down payment to save for, credit score minimums to meet and a monthly payment to fit in your budget. However, with the right mortgage program, you may be able to purchase your first home with less cash, easier qualifying requirements or lower monthly expenses than ...
The calendar may say it’s winter, but the spring real estate market isn’t far off. This period is one of the most popular times to buy or sell a home, and in some regions, it begins as early as January or February. If you’re planning to make a move, spring can be the ideal time ...
You may have seen our recent announcement that conforming and FHA loan limits are increasing for 2023. This is great news because it means that two of the most popular types of mortgages are now (or will soon be) available for bigger loan amounts. Higher limits allow homebuyers and homeowners to use these loans for ...
Some say that luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity. If you’re thinking about buying a home in 2023, now is a good time to start preparing for the opportunity that may be ahead. Several trends are indicating that the coming year could be a very opportune time to buy a home. Home prices ...
Winter is the slow season for the real estate market in many parts of the country. With holiday celebrations underway, the school year midway through and harsh weather in northern regions, many buyers and sellers hold off until spring or summer instead. However, making a move during winter is not without its perks. Here are ...
When buying a home, one of your goals is to negotiate with the seller for the best possible deal. This was a difficult task during the red-hot real estate market of the past few years when competing buyers bid up home prices in many parts of the country. But now, with the housing market cooling ...
Whether you’re selling your home or refinancing it, a home appraisal is often a required part of the process. This typically involves a home appraiser visiting your home to make a professional assessment of its value. A strong appraisal allows you to proceed toward your goal, but a low appraisal could kill a sale or ...
Owning a home is often cheaper than renting a comparable one, but figuring out just how much home you can afford isn’t always easy. While rents are priced in simple monthly amounts, home prices need to be broken down into upfront and monthly payments. So how much home can you afford to buy? Here are ...
If you’ve decided to buy a home, it’s tempting to jump right into your home search. However, rushing into home shopping before you’ve laid the proper groundwork can lead to mistakes, frustrations and expenses down the road. To give yourself a better chance for a smooth, affordable and stress-free home purchase, you need to prepare ...
Mortgage rates have been making a move. After a period of record lows that roughly spanned the previous two years, rates have been on their way up in 2022. The U.S. central bank has announced its intention to fight inflation with higher interest rates, which means mortgage rates seem poised to continue their rise. If ...