First Time Home Buyers
242 articles published
- It’s Getting More Affordable To Buy a Home
- 1 in 3 First-Time Buyers Have Student Loan DebtBuying a home when you have student loans is possible. Data shows 32% of first-time buyers have student debt. And the typical amount is $30,000. So, if you’ve been holding off on buying your first home because you thought you had to pay…
- Thought the Market Passed You By? Think Again.If you stepped back from your home search over the past few years, you’re not alone, and you’re definitely not out of options. In fact, now might be the ideal time to take another look. With more homes to choose from, prices leveling off…
- Why You Don’t Need To Be Afraid of Today’s Mortgage RatesMortgage rates have been the monster under the bed for a while. Every time they tick up, people flinch and say, “Maybe I’ll wait.” But here’s the twist. Waiting for that perfect 5-point-something rate could end up haunting your wallet…
- A Modern First-Time Buyer’s Guide to Purchasing a Fixer-Upper HomeImage: Freepik, Article submitted by Alice Robertson of TidyHome.info Buying your first home is exciting, and choosing a fixer-upper can make that dream attainable while adding major long-term value. But with older homes come hidden…
- The $280 Shift in Affordability Every Homebuyer Should KnowIf you paused your plans to move because of high rates or prices, it may finally be time to take a second look at your numbers. Affordability is improvingin 39 of the top 50 markets, according to First American. And that’s the 5th straight…
- Why More Buyers Are Turning to New Construction This YearThere’s a trend taking hold in real estate right now: more buyers are choosing newly built homes. And it’s not just about getting the latest technology or modern floorplans. It’s because they may be able to get a better deal. Builders are…
- The Minimum Down Payment RequiredHere’s why the right answer is so important for you to know. A lot people overestimate how much they really need to save for a down payment. The most common answers? 10 or 20%. The truth: you may be able to put down as little as 3%.…
- Should You Still Expect a Bidding War?If you’re still worried about having to deal with a bidding war when you buy a home, you may be able to let some of that fear go. While multiple-offer situations haven’t disappeared entirely, they’re not nearly as common as they used to…
- Condos Could Be a Win for Today’s BuyersNot every homebuyer wants the biggest house on the block. Some want something simpler, more affordable, and easier to maintain, especially in a market where every dollar counts. That’s where condos come in. For first-time buyers, they can…
- Are These Myths About Buying a Newly Built Home Holding You Back?If you’ve been skipping over newly built homes in your search, you might be doing so based on outdated assumptions. Let’s clear up a few of the most common myths, so you don’t miss out on a solid opportunity. Myth 1: New Homes Are More…
- Online Home-Buying Search Terms Recently Hit 2-Year HighBelieve it or not, there are clear signs buyer interest is heating up again. Let’s talk about what’s really going on behind the scenes, and why the housing market might not be as quiet out there as it seems. Buyers Are Looking, and Search…
- The Truth About Down Payments (It’s Not What You Think)Buying a home is exciting… until you start thinking about the down payment. That’s when the worry can set in. “I’ll never save enough.” “I need a small fortune just to get started.” “I guess I’ll just rent forever.” Sound familiar? You’re…
- Why a Newly Built Home Might Be the Move Right NowAre you looking for better home prices, or even a lower mortgage rate? You might find both in one place: a newly built home. While many buyers are overlooking new construction, it could be your best opportunity in today’s market. Here’s…
- The Advice First-Time Homebuyers Need To HearBuying your first home is a big milestone, and the right support is going to make it a whole lot easier. Because while this process might be brand new to you, it’s not new to your agent. They’ve helped plenty of first-time buyers through…
- 3 Reasons To Buy a Home This SummerAre you thinking about buying a home, but not sure if now’s the right time? A lot of people are waiting and wondering what the market’s going to do next. But here’s something only the savviest buyers realize: This summer might actually be…
- Buying Your First Home? FHA Loans Can HelpIf you’re a first-time homebuyer, you might feel like the odds are stacked against you in today’s market. But there are resources and programs out there that can help, if you know where to look. And one thing that can make homeownership…
- Thinking about an Adjustable-Rate Mortgage? Read This First.If you’ve been house hunting lately, you’ve probably felt the sting of today’s mortgage rates. And it’s because of those rates and rising home prices that many homebuyers are starting to explore other types of loans to make the numbers…
- You Could Use Some of Your Equity To Give Your Children the Gift of HomeIf you’re a homeowner, chances are you’ve built up a lot of wealth, just by living in your house and watching its value grow over time. And that equity? It’s something that could help change your child’s life. Since affordability is still…
- Don’t Let Student Loans Hold You Back from HomeownershipDid you know? According to a recent study, 72% of people with student loans think their debt will delay their ability to buy a home. Maybe you’re one of them and you’re wondering: Having questions like these is normal, especially when…
- Why Buyers Are More Likely To Get Concessions Right NowEspecially in areas where inventory is rising, both homebuilders and sellers are sweetening the deal for buyers with things like paid closing costs, mortgage rate buy-downs, and more. In the industry, it’s called a concession or an…
- The 20% Down Payment Myth, DebunkedSaving up to buy a home can feel a little intimidating, especially right now. And for many first-time buyers, the idea that you have to put 20% down can feel like a major roadblock. But that’s actually a common misconception. Here’s the…
- You Finally Have More Options for Your MoveIf you put your home search on hold because you couldn’t find anything you liked in your budget, it’s time to try again. There’s a much wider selection of homes for sale, with more fresh listings hitting the market each month. With more…
- Should I Buy a Home Now or Wait?At some point, you’ve probably heard the saying: “Yesterday was the best time to buy a home, but the next best time is today.” That’s because homeownership is about the long game, and home prices typically rise over time. So, while you…
- Across State Lines: A Thoughtful Guide to Starting Fresh in a New Zip CodeArticle submitted by Alice Roberston. Website: TidyHome.info, Photo via Pexels When you first decide to move to another state, it’s rarely just about packing boxes. It’s about reshaping your life, maybe chasing a quieter suburb, better…
- Pre-Approval Isn’t Commitment, It’s ClarityIf buying a home is on your radar, even if it’s more of a someday plan than a right now plan, getting pre-approved early is still one of the smartest moves you can make. Why? Because, like anything in life, the right prep work makes…
- Are You Saving Up To Buy a Home? Your Tax Refund Can HelpYou’ve been working on your savings and dreaming of that moment when you finally have keys to a place that’s truly yours. What you might not realize is that your tax return could give you a little extra cash to help you get there sooner.…
- 4 Ways To Make an Offer That Stands Out This SpringNow that spring is here, more and more buyers are jumping back into the market, and competition is heating up. If you’re serious about landing a home you’ll love, you need more than just a wish list. You need a smart strategy, and that…
- Why You Don’t Want To Skip Your Home InspectionWhen you finally find the home you want to buy, it’s easy to get caught up in the excitement. You’ve toured the place, imagined your furniture in it, maybe even pictured your morning coffee on the porch. The last thing you want is to slow…
- House Hunting Just Got Easier, Here’s WhyIf you’ve been frustrated by the lack of homes for sale over the past few years, here’s some good news. You have more options, so it may finally be time to kick off your home search again. As Daryl Fairweather, Chief Economist at Redfin,…
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