Do I Need a Realtor to Buy a House?
Choosing the Right Team for Your Home Purchase When you are ready to buy a home, the first step is to decide who will be on your team. A Realtor or real estate agent can guide you throughout the process…
How Much Do I Need for a House Down Payment?
How Much Do You Need for a Down Payment? Saving for a down payment is one of the biggest challenges for new homebuyers. Depending on home prices in your area and how much you plan to save, it can take…
A Home Appraisal Checklist
Understanding the Home Appraisal Process Finding the perfect home is only one part of buying a house. Once you’ve found “the one” and signed a sales contract, the next step is arranging the purchase and finalizing your financing. Most buyers…
What Is an FHA Mortgage Insurance Premium?
FHA mortgages are great for homebuyers without a sizable down payment or with low credit. Each situation is unique and based on a combination of factors like income, credit, and the property’s value, but most lenders will consider FHA loans…
A Home Inspection Checklist
When purchasing a home, it is always a good idea to have it professionally inspected. Many lenders even require it as a condition of the loan. Home inspectors charge between $270 and $400, depending on the size of the home,…
What to Look for in a Neighborhood When Buying a House
Evaluating a potential new home’s features is just one part of finding the perfect place to buy. You should also carefully consider the neighborhood that you will be living in to decide if it fits your needs. Here are a…
Buydown to Reduce Your Mortgage Interest Rate
✅ Improved, SEO-friendly, active-voice version If you’re buying a home, you may be searching for ways to reduce your monthly mortgage costs. Common options include making a larger down payment or improving your credit score to qualify for a lower…
Buying a House without a Real Estate Agent
Buying a House Without a Real Estate Agent Working with a real estate agent can help, especially if you are a first-time homebuyer. Experienced buyers or those who want to save money can buy a home without an agent. Here’s…
How to Determine if You Are in a Buyer’s Market or Seller’s Market
Being a savvy real estate buyer or seller requires that you know and understand the market conditions. This includes the types of home, comparable purchases prices, and so much more. But one of the most important factors to understand is…
How Long Does It Take to Buy a House?
How Long Does It Take to Buy a Home? Buying a home is exciting but can take time, especially if a purchase falls through and you need to start over. On average, the process takes about four months. You can…
