First Time Home Buyers
242 articles published
- Don’t Fall for the Next Shocking Headlines About Home PricesIf you’re thinking of buying or selling a home, one of the biggest questions you have right now is probably: what’s happening with home prices? And it’s no surprise you don’t have the clarity you need on that topic. Part of the issue is…
- Homebuyers Are Getting Used to the New NormalBefore you decide to sell your house, it’s important to know what you can expect in the current housing market. One positive trend right now is homebuyers are adapting to today’s mortgage rates and getting used to them as the new normal.To…
- Renting or Selling Your House: What’s the Best Move?If you’re a homeowner ready to make a move, you may be thinking about using your current house as a short-term rental property instead of selling it. A short-term rental (STR) is typically offered as an alternative to a hotel, and they’re…
- Lending Standards Are Not Like They Were Leading Up to the CrashYou might be worried we’re heading for a housing crash, but there are many reasons why this housing market isn’t like the one we saw in 2008. One of which is how lending standards are different today. Here’s a look at the data to help…
- How is my credit score determined and How do I raise it?Your credit score plays a major role in many financial decisions you make throughout your life, especially when it comes to purchasing a home. It determines whether you are eligible for loans and the interest rates you will receive.…
- Tips for Managing Documentation When Buying or Selling a Home(Article written by Charlotte Meier. For more tips, go to homesafetyhub.org) Buying or selling a home can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to the endless paperwork involved. The pile of property inspections, contracts, and closing…
- Homeownership Helps Protect You from Inflation [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights
- Why the Median Home Price Is Meaningless in Today’s MarketThe National Association of Realtors (NAR) will release its latest Existing Home Sales (EHS) report later this week. This monthly report provides information on the sales volume and price trend for previously owned homes. In the upcoming…
- Saving for a Down Payment? Here’s What You Need To Know.If you’re planning to buy your first home, then you’re probably focused on saving for all the costs involved in such a big purchase. One of the expenses that may be at the top of your mind is your down payment. If you’re intimidated by how…
- Oops! Home Prices Didn’t Crash After AllDuring the fourthquarter of last year, many housing experts predicted home prices were going to crash this year. Here are a few of those forecasts: Jeremy Siegel, Russell E. Palmer Professor Emeritus of Finance at the Wharton School of…
- Keys to Success for First-Time HomebuyersBuying your first home is an exciting decision and a major milestone that has the power to change your life for the better. As a first-time homebuyer, it’s a vision you can bring to life, but, as the National Association of Realtors (NAR)…
- Why Buyers Need an Expert Agent by Their SideThe process of buying a home can feel a bit intimidating, even under normal circumstances. But today’s market is still anything but normal. There continues to be a very limited number of homes for sale, and that’s creating bidding wars and…
- The Impact of Changing Mortgage Rates [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights
- Why Buying a Home Makes More Sense Than Renting TodayWondering if you should continue renting or if you should buy a home this year? If so, consider this. Rental affordability is still a challenge and has been for years. That’s because, historically, rents trend up over time. Data from the…
- Ways To Overcome Affordability Challenges in Today’s Housing Market [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights
- Why Today’s Foreclosure Numbers Are Nothing Like 2008You’ve likely seen headlines about the number of foreclosures climbing in today’s housing market. That may leave you with a few questions, especially if you’re thinking about buying a house. Understanding what they really mean is…
- The Power of Pre-ApprovalIf you’re buying a home this spring, today’s housing market can feel like a challenge. With so few homes on the market right now, plus higher mortgage rates, it’s essential to have a firm grasp on your homebuying budget. You’ll also need a…
- What’s the Difference Between a Home Inspection and an Appraisal?If you’re planning to buy a home, an inspection is an important step in the process. It assesses the condition of the home before you finalize the transaction. It’s also a different step in the process from an appraisal, which is a…
- Your Tax Refund Can Help You Achieve Your Homebuying GoalsHave you been saving up to buy a home this year? If so, you know there are a variety of expenses involved, from your down payment to closing costs. But there’s good news, your tax refund can help you achieve your goals by paying for some…
- Homebuyer Activity Shows Signs of Warming Up for SpringThe spring season appears to be warming up in housing as more and more buyers enter the market. And after rising mortgage rates sidelined so many buyers last year, that’s a good sign for sellers. Realtor.com has the latest: “Spring is…
- Buying a Home May Make More Sense Than Renting [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights
- 4 Tips for Making Your Best Offer on a HomeAre you planning to buy a home this spring? Though things are more balanced than they were at the height of the pandemic, it’s still a sellers’ market. So, when you find the home you want to buy, remember these four tips to make your best…
- Could a Multigenerational Home Be the Right Fit for You?During the pandemic, many of us reexamined the meaning of home for ourselves and our loved ones. Today, that can be seen in the recent rise in multigenerational households. According to Jessica Lautz, Deputy Chief Economist and Vice…
- Is It Really Better To Rent Than To Own a Home Right Now?You may have seen reports in the news recently saying it’s better to rent right now than it is to own your home. But before you let that impact your decisions, you should understand what these claims are based on. A lot of the time, these…
- What You Should Know About Rising Mortgage RatesAfter steadily falling over the winter, mortgage rates have started to rise in recent weeks. This is concerning to some potential homebuyers as the combination of higher mortgage rates and higher prices have made homes less affordable. So,…
- How To Make Your Dream of Homeownership a RealityAccording to a recent Harris Poll survey, 8 in 10 Americans say buying a home is a priority, and 28 million Americans actually plan to buy within the next 12 months. Homeownership provides many financial and nonfinancial benefits, so that…
- Why It’s Easy To Fall in Love with HomeownershipNo matter how the housing market changes, there are some things about owning a home that never change, like the personal benefits it can provide. When you own your home, you likely feel a sense of attachment because of the comfort it gives…
- How Experts Can Help Close the Gap in Today’s Homeownership RateAs we celebrate Black History Month, we reflect on the past and present experiences of Black Americans. This includes the path toward investing in a home of their own. And while equitable access to housing has come a long way,…
- You May Not Need as Much as You Think for Your Down Payment [INFOGRAPHIC]Some Highlights
- Why You Shouldn’t Fear Today’s Foreclosure HeadlinesIf you’ve seen recent headlines about foreclosures surging in the housing market, you’re certainly not alone. There’s no doubt, the stories in the media can be pretty confusing right now. They may even make you think twice about buying a…
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