First Time Buyer

Buying a home can be INTENSE.  If you bought a home in the past, you probably feel more confident in your home buying chops than if you’re new to the home buying market. But the more prepared you are for each step, the better you’ll feel. Knowing the basic steps of buying a house gives...

Buying a home is challenging for anyone. For home buyers of color, there are often additional hurdles. These challenges can be based on both historic and current discriminatory practices in the real estate industry and less access to the financial and educational resources that minority and first-time home buyers may need to become homeowners. A...

For most people, a home is the largest single purchase they’ll make in their lifetimes. It comes with upfront expenses like closing costs, down payments and potential repairs or upgrades. These additional expenses can easily add tens of thousands of dollars to the upfront costs of buying a new home. You may think that saving the...

After a buyer puts in an offer or purchase contract and makes a good faith deposit (aka earnest money deposit), there are only a few boxes left to check before the sale goes through. But what happens when the home appraisal comes back low, essentially warning you that you’re about to overpay for the home...

When you become a homeowner, you hope that your home and its belongings are safe and protected for as long as you own the home. Unfortunately, no hope is guaranteed. Fire, theft, weather events, plumbing problems and the fickle finger of fate can strike your home at any time. That’s why you need homeowners insurance....

So, you’ve found a house, and your offer has been accepted. Congrats! Now you’re probably wondering how soon until you can move in.  That’ll depend on when you’re scheduled to close on your new home. Closing is the date when everyone involved with the sale (including your lender) is satisfied and agrees that you and...

There’s a lot that goes on during the home buying process, and one of those things is usually a home inspection. If foundation issues are uncovered, it can hamper your ability to get approved for a loan and might even hurt your home’s resale value. But you’ve got options. We’re here to help you figure...

Imagine your excitement as you’re house hunting in your favorite neighborhoods or scrolling through real estate websites for the perfect house in the great neighborhood that’s close to your work and your kids’ school. Now, imagine your surprise – and rising concern – as you walk past front yards with “Sale Pending” signs or see...

So, you’re thinking of buying a house.  Maybe you’ve been renting – and you’re sooo over it. Or you’ve been living in your childhood bedroom and feel like you’ve outgrown your band posters and middle school trophies. Or you’ve decided that it’s time to invest your hard-earned cash in something that will grow in value....

Making an offer on a house is an exciting step in the home buying process, but there are a few things that have to happen before you can make a serious offer.  All of your prep work will boil down to a well-crafted, attention-getting offer letter. The letter will describe how very, very interested you...

Thinking of buying a home? You may be wondering how much money you’ll need to save up before you can confidently start making offers. And, depending on who you ask, you’ll probably get a bunch of different answers. We’ve put together this helpful guide to answer your home buying questions, including how much you’ll need...

Whether you’re buying or selling a home, recruiting the right real estate agent is crucial. Before you begin your search for the right real estate agent, you should learn what they do.  The wrong agent might cost you that cozy property on the sunny side of the street, or sell your existing property well under...

Let’s say you’re a home buyer in a hypercompetitive seller’s market and every home you want seems to have multiple offers on it. Stressed might be the right word to describe how you’re feeling – especially if every time you make an offer, there’s a bidding war and a buyer outbids you.  A few things...

No lender is one-size-fits-all. By asking the right questions, you can try a mortgage lender on for size and see if they’ll fit your specific needs. The difference between the right lender and the wrong lender could save (or lose) you thousands of dollars.  You can seek out lenders on your own or go through...

Homes can be expensive, and for some, it’s the most expensive purchase they’ll ever make. You need to save up enough funds to cover a down payment and pay for closing costs. That initial outlay of money can be a lot, especially for first-time home buyers. But many first-time home buyers may not realize that...

If you’re like most homeowners, you’re probably looking for ways to get the most value out of your home. Fortunately, there’s a way to do that come April 18, 2023 (hint: the 2022 tax filing deadline) by using the mortgage interest deduction. Essentially, you alert the IRS to all the money you paid in interest...

For many first-time home buyers, the home buying process can feel like a mysterious journey into murky, uncharted waters. REALTORS® and real estate agents can help home buyers keep their dreams of owning a home afloat.  According to the 2020 Home Buyers and Sellers Generational Trends Report from the National Association of REALTORS® (NAR), 89%...

There are few reasons why a rent-to-own option may be a good fit. Maybe you’re not financially ready to make a large down payment. Or maybe you aren’t ready to take out a mortgage. Rent-to-own agreements can help first-time home buyers, people getting their “financial act” together and anyone who is tired of the endless...

Wouldn’t it be awesome if we could give you a yes or no answer? Oh, if only things could be that easy. Deciding you’re ready to buy a house might seem like a major step. And that would be correct because – spoiler alert – it is. But it doesn’t have to be “meeting your...

Life is full of rules. Whether it’s the golden rule, the rules of the road or the life-changing rules in the latest trending self-help book, we are on a constant lookout for common-sense rules to help us navigate life’s complexities. And speaking of complexities, buying a home can feel more complicated than driving, dieting or...