Home Buying

June 28, 2022Buying a home is a big step financially and for some people, it’s the largest investment they’ll ever make. If you’re an unmarried couple buying a home together, you’ll still need to go through the usual mortgage process. But there are some unique considerations to keep in mind that may affect your decision to buy. If… read more…

August 7, 2025As a prospective homebuyer, you may be well acquainted with the pain of making it to closing day. Few things are more frustrating than finding your dream home only to have your loan application gummed up in underwriting because of… read more…

March 21, 2023When looking for homes to buy, you might assume your options are limited to properties that are listed for sale publicly. It’s possible, however, to purchase a home that’s not technically on the market. This isn’t necessarily the easiest path… read more…

August 25, 2023House hunting can be a very time-consuming and emotional process but it’s also one of the largest financial decisions most people make. It’s important to avoid potential mistakes that could leave you in a bad financial position for years to… read more…

August 8, 2025Persistent inflation and rising mortgage rates are slowing down home sales. But a new study from the real estate website Zillow says that the housing market in cities could be better than in suburbs for the first time since the… read more…

August 7, 2025  Are you planning to purchase a new home? Perusing the internet for new listings and fantasying about your life in a new house is the exciting part. Setting money aside for a down payment, on the other hand, may… read more…

September 26, 2024If you’re one of the many people looking for a new home right now, one of the first questions is this: do you want a house or a condominium? In a nutshell, consider the difference this way: If you like living… read more…

April 19, 2022Buying a condominium means buying an individual unit in a property with public areas owned and managed by a homeowner’s association. Buying an apartment usually means buying a share of ownership in a cooperative association that owns the property and grants proprietary leases allowing shareholders to live in specific units. Condos may be more expensive… read more…

January 14, 2021The homeownership rate in America peaked at a little more than 69% in 2004 before falling to 63.7% in 2016, according to U.S. Census data. Despite the fact that it has rebounded to a little more than 65% in 2019 overall, only 36.4% of Americans younger than 35 own their homes. It may be easier… read more…

July 14, 2020Owning a home is a major goal for many people across the U.S. Securing a mortgage and buying that home, though, can be difficult to achieve. According to a June 2020 Home Values report from Zillow, the median home value in the U.S. is $248,857, an uptick of 4% over the past year. Though values… read more…

January 23, 2020Census Bureau data from 2018 shows that millennials have a homeownership rate of 33.7%, well below the national average of almost 64%. Though the national rate of millennial homeownership is low, some cities have much higher rates of millennial homeownership that come closer to the national average. In this study, we looked at where millennials are… read more…

May 5, 2020High-performing public schools and robust public education spending are often correlated with high home values. According to a 2002 report published by the National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER), “Using Market Valuation to Assess Public School Spending,” every dollar spent on public schools in a community increases home values by $20. While the three factors… read more…

August 30, 2019Putting money down for a mortgage on a home is a great investment for many Americans. Sometimes, of course, the daunting up-front costs might deter potential buyers from taking the leap altogether, and that can leave them wondering where it’s possible to purchase a home with less cash up front. SmartAsset ran the numbers to… read more…

March 21, 2023Buying a foreclosed home is one-way potential homeowners can save a bit of money. This is because a foreclosed home is likely to be selling for cheaper than other homes on the market, so you may be able to get… read more…

May 20, 2025A second home can act as both a vacation home and an investment, as homeowners can easily rent them out when they’re not staying there. But like most home purchases, buying a second home probably means you’ll need a second mortgage. When… read more…

February 21, 2024Between vibrant cities like Nashville and quiet towns deep in the Appalachians, Tennessee might have something for everyone. Life in the Volunteer State means steeping yourself in history, culture and natural beauty. Buying a home, however, is a big financial… read more…

September 7, 2023No matter where you hope to live in Louisiana, you’ll never be far from great music, delicious food and other exciting activities. Unfortunately, picking a mortgage is much harder than picking a neighborhood, but a first-time homebuyer program could help.… read more…

September 6, 2023With expansive plains, bustling river towns and below-average mortgage rates, we don’t blame you for wanting to plant your own roots in Missouri. The purchase of buying your first home can be intimidating, though. The federal and Missouri state governments… read more…

February 16, 2024Nevada has been of the fastest-growing states in the country over the past several years, which means a good amount of homebuyers looking to buy. But if getting a mortgage or paying a down payment is holding you back from… read more…

February 21, 2024Thanks to beautiful scenery, relatively affordable mortgage rates and robust economy, Idaho is an great destination for new homeowners. If you’re thinking about settling in the Gem State, check out first-time homebuyer programs from the the federal and Idaho state governments. There are down payment… read more…

February 23, 2024The federal government and the state of Montana run several programs for first-time homebuyers in Big Sky Country. Depending on your exact needs and circumstances, there are multiple types of loans that you have access to. Some loans require a… read more…

May 9, 2023The South Dakota state government and the federal government both offer special programs for first-time homebuyers who need loans to purchase a home. Which loans you have access to will depend on your exact needs and circumstances, but there are many… read more…

September 7, 2023No matter where you hope to settle in Georgia, housing costs usually will be relatively affordable compared to many other states. Buying your first home can still be intimidating, of course. Georgia’s Department of Community Affairs and the federal government… read more…

August 14, 2025First-time homebuyers in Indiana can access a number of programs designed to help them buy a house. Some cater to low-income individuals with less-than-ideal credit scores. Others are designed specifically for public servants like firefighters and teachers. No matter what… read more…

February 16, 2024Purchasing your first home in the Hawkeye State can be intimidating and expensive. It will likely include financial situations and conversations you’ve never encountered before. Luckily, the federal and Iowa state governments have created first-time homebuyer programs just for borrowers… read more…