Category: Buying a Home

How to Choose a Mortgage Lender You Can Trust

Reputation, real expertise, clear answers about costs and genuine responsiveness. Here is how to size up a mortgage lender before you trust them.

Your First Home, Start to Finish: A Simple Roadmap

Buying your first home? Follow this simple roadmap from budgeting and pre-approval to house hunting, offers, inspections, closing and moving in.

Buy First or Sell First? How to Time Your Next Move

Selling first, buying first or keeping your current home as a rental each come with tradeoffs. Compare the options and find the approach that fits you.

How Long Does Buying a Home Take? A Realistic Timeline

From your first showing to getting the keys, buying a home usually takes a few months. Learn what affects the timeline and how to keep things on schedule.

Getting Ready to Buy a Home: Where to Begin

Before you tour a single house, get your finances in order, line up a pre-approval and build a clear wish list. A simple plan for starting a home search.

How Pre-Qualification Helps Your Offer Get Noticed

A pre-qualification letter shows sellers you are ready to buy. Learn what it means, how it differs from final approval and how it strengthens your offer.

How Much Do You Really Need for a Down Payment?

Twenty percent down is not the only path. Compare down payment needs for conventional, FHA, VA and USDA loans and learn how to choose the right amount.

Real Estate Agent vs. Broker: Who Should You Work With?

Real estate brokers have extra training and can oversee other agents. Learn how they differ from agents and how to decide who should help with your move.

Property Sales Reports: What They Show and How to Use Them

A property sales report pulls together a home's details, value estimate and sales history. Learn what it includes and how buyers and sellers can use one.

Buying the Seller’s Furniture and Extras With Your Home

Want the seller's patio set, pool table or washer? Learn how to negotiate extras, put them in the contract and pay for them without slowing your closing.