Tag: homebuying basics

Financing & insuring

July 27, 2015

What is a USDA Loan?

The USDA (short for United States Department of Agriculture) doesn’t just certify that your favorite cut of beef is fit for the grill; among many other things, it also guarantees or directly provides loans to qualified homebuyers in rural communities. If you’re a low- to moderate-income applicant in an eligible rural area, USDA financing might…
Read more: What is a USDA Loan?
Life at home

July 7, 2015

8 Ways to Help Protect Your Home While on Vacation

Making plans to take a well-deserved vacation is an exciting time. When you’re deciding where to go and what to pack, it’s also important to consider another issue—namely, what can you do to help protect your home while you’re away? There’s no full-proof formula for keeping your home safe, but following these tips may give…
Read more: 8 Ways to Help Protect Your Home While on Vacation
Financing & insuring

June 18, 2015

Making the Most of a Mortgage Calculator

A mortgage calculator can be very helpful when you’re deciding how to approach the financial side of buying a home. It can give you a ballpark figure of what your monthly mortgage payment may be so you can estimate expenses. It can also help you decide if you might prefer a fixed-rate or an adjustable-rate…
Read more: Making the Most of a Mortgage Calculator
Financing & insuring

November 13, 2014

5 Mortgage Myths Debunked

You’ve probably heard your share of mortgage legends over the years. It can be hard to know what’s fact and what’s fiction. When you’re in the market for a new home, there’s no better time to learn the truth. We’ve uncovered five myths that have made their way into mainstream homebuying. Myth #1: You must…
Read more: 5 Mortgage Myths Debunked
Buying a home, Financing & insuring

March 12, 2014

How Much Can I Afford on a Home Loan in 2014?

Each year can bring anything from minor tweaks to major overhauls in mortgage lending, possibly affecting how much house you can afford to buy. To help simplify how to financially prepare for homeownership this year, we’ve compiled some of the more important gamechangers for you to be aware of in 2014. New Qualified Mortage Rules…
Read more: How Much Can I Afford on a Home Loan in 2014?
Financing & insuring

March 6, 2014

From the FAQ File: Title Insurance

When you’re buying a home, one of the things you’ll be expected to have at the closing table is title insurance. Q: What is title insurance? A: Title insurance protects against unexpected problems associated with the title to your new home, such as liens for unpaid taxes or unpaid work on the property, mistakes or…
Read more: From the FAQ File: Title Insurance
Buying a home

February 6, 2014

Finding a Home That Works for the Multi-generational Family

Need a floor plan that can comfortably house multiple generations? Maybe you have a college-age son living at home, or a post-college daughter with a spouse and children. Or it could be you have an elderly parent or live-in nanny, and space is tight. You’re not alone. Multi-generational housing has been on a steady, even…
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Financing & insuring

January 24, 2014

Down Payment Savings Strategies

Whether you’re a renter ready to become a homeowner, or a would-be move-up buyer, saving for a down payment on a house can be a challenge. Depending on your timeframe, how much you need to save and how aggressive you’re willing to be, there are several things you can do to shorten the path to…
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Buying a home

January 21, 2014

Top Resources for Starting Your Home Search Online

You’re a modern homebuyer: savvy, informed and determined to do as much shopping as possible online. So before you come to the aspects of your home search that the internet may never offer a complete substitute for—a home walkthrough, inspecting your new lot, handpicking custom options and upgrades with a design specialist—here are some top resources…
Read more: Top Resources for Starting Your Home Search Online
Financing & insuring

November 1, 2013

A Mortgage Loan Checklist: Paperwork to Prepare

“Oh, that darn paperwork! Wouldn’t it be easier if it all just blew away?”– Mike Wazowski, Monsters, Inc. Don’t let a fear of paperwork keep you from the home of your dreams. Take advantage of our straightforward mortgage loan checklist to put together the right documentation for your loan officer—helping to simplify your application process…
Read more: A Mortgage Loan Checklist: Paperwork to Prepare
Packing & moving

October 8, 2013

Moving Made Easy – Relocation Tips and Tricks

Moving to a new home is an exciting process, but it can also be confusing and chaotic. To save you time and stress, we’ve compiled a number of moving tips and online resources to help you stay on track for a successful moving day. The home search. The first step in the moving process is…
Read more: Moving Made Easy – Relocation Tips and Tricks
Buying a home

September 24, 2013

Choosing the Best Home Builder

When choosing the best home builder for your new home, it pays to remember the old adage, “trust, but verify.” Most builders are skilled at staging a beautiful model home, which is why it’s important to equip yourself with the right know-how to identify which builder you can depend on, differentiating yourself from average window…
Read more: Choosing the Best Home Builder