The Blog
Relocating for Work? Tips for Buying Your First Home Before You Move
Relocating for a new job can be exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming—especially if you’re thinking about buying your first home at the same time. Between packing boxes, signing new contracts, and learning about a new city, there’s a lot to juggle. The good...
Home Financing in 2021: The Basics
The Coronavirus changed the housing market in unexpected ways. What was initially expected to be a crash instead turned into a boom. Right now, the market looks dramatically different than it did two years ago. If you’re considering buying a new home this year, you...
Tips that Can Help You Find the Best Home Lender
Taking out a mortgage is a big event and finding the right lender can feel daunting in the beginning. This is especially true if you are a first-time homebuyer. Luckily, there are many tricks and tips you can use to help you find the best home lender. Below, we’ve...
How to Compare Loans for a House
Buying a home is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming, especially if it’s your first time. You may not know which loan to choose or even how to apply. There are a lot of mortgage companies out there and according to the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau,...
Tips for Getting a Home Loan Fast
It always happens like this. Our dream home goes up for sale and we need a home loan fast. It’s not an easy thing to do but, at the same time, not impossible. There are some steps you can take to get your home loan set up quickly. And working with a trusted lender...
Can I Use a Refi Loan to Buy a Second Home?
Because mortgage and interest rates are very low right now, many people are refinancing their homes. You may even be thinking, is this the time to invest in a second home elsewhere? A refinance loan, or a refi loan, may be able to help with the process of buying a...
HUD Loans: Pros & Cons to Consider Before Buying
Opening any kind of loan requires careful thought and decision-making. HUD loans are one of the more popular options for homebuyers because of relaxed requirements. If you struggle with obtaining a conventional loan, this may be the perfect option for you! However, as...
A Closer Look at FHA Loan Guidelines, Limits, and Rates
Applying for an FHA loan can be exciting. Perhaps you were just pre-approved and the reality of buying your first home is coming true! Or maybe you’ve just recently learned about FHA loans and are eager to get started with the process. Nothing can take that excitement...
Can First-Time Home Owners Get a Jumbo Loan?
When most first-time buyers look at properties, the loans they apply for are relatively small. But what happens if the property you’re looking at is one that exceeds the standard loan maximum in your area? Established or repeat homebuyers tend to use jumbo loans to...
First-Time Homeowners Maintenance Checklist
One of the biggest challenges first-time homeowners face is keeping up with routine maintenance. When you rent a house, apartment, or townhome, the landlord takes care of all maintenance. The only thing you’re responsible for is keeping the property clean. This means...
Top First-Time Homeowner Federal Grants for 2021
For most first-time homeowners, switching from renting to owning is expensive. Not only do you have to find a loan, you also have to cover the down payment on your house. Unless you have tons of money saved up, coming up with the expected 20% on your own is tough....
First-Time Homebuyer Exception for IRA Withdrawal
For first-time homebuyers, the thought of coming up with enough money to cover the down payment on a home can be overwhelming. Conventional wisdom suggests that you should have at least 20% of the purchase price saved up. So, what can you do if you don’t have that...
Budgeting Tips for New Homebuyers
Buying a new house is both exciting and stressful. But with the average home costing more than $340,000, finding a home you can afford isn’t always easy. For new homebuyers, the best thing you can do is get serious about your budget. If you’re not sure where to start,...