Housing prices are constantly changing, which can make both buying and selling a home more complicated. While it’s difficult to predict future changes, it’s important to understand the key factors that affect the housing market and home prices. Here are the five major things that affect housing prices: Economic Change The overall health of the economy is a...

A loan from the U.S. Department of Veteran Affairs can be an excellent choice for financing a home purchase. While VA benefits are generally reserved for veterans, there are a few exceptions with mortgage programs. Here are some other ways you could be eligible for a VA loan: Active Duty Fortunately, you don't have to have served in...

If you have a VA loan, the U.S. government has options in place to assist you in case of financial hardship. There are multiple programs available to help you avoid late payments and foreclosure if your mortgage meets eligibility. Here are the major veteran mortgage relief options to know: Refund Modification A refund modification affects the principal and...

Homeowners refinance their mortgages for an assortment of reasons. Some reasons center around strictly wanting to pay off their homes faster and at better interest rates, while others may fall along practical life events or emergencies. If you find yourself asking, “should I refinance my mortgage,” try checking off a few boxes to help come to a decision....

Image by Tumisu from Pixabay Financing a new home can seem overwhelming. For first-time homebuyers, the entire concept of obtaining a mortgage might seem especially daunting. There are many different lenders and many different types of mortgages available, so it's difficult to know which ones are best. Here we will go over the common mortgage types available to...

Photo by ESB Professional via Shutterstock If the thought of getting a mortgage and being in that much debt is stopping you from buying a home, plan to pay it off. Here’s how you can do it in just five to 10 years. Live well below your means. If you can keep your mortgage payment to below twenty...

Photo by Mastersenaiper via Pixabay When it comes to financing your home, you have a several mortgage options available. Each type of mortgage offers different advantages, so be sure to do research before applying. Below are some of the most popular types of mortgages borrowers may consider. Conventional Loans A conventional loan is a mortgage not insured by...

Image by Tierra Mallorca from Unsplash One of the most important things to check once you decide to start the home-buying process is your credit score. The three major credit bureaus keep track of how you pay for your credit and how much credit you have. Your score fluctuates, sometimes daily, depending on how much you owe and...

Perhaps one of the most challenging things about buying a home is saving for the downpayment. Collecting such a large sum of money can be difficult. The truth is that most buyers actually think that they need more than they actually do to buy a home. The downpayment doesn’t need to be a barrier to your path to homeownership....

Photo by TheDigitalWay via Pixabay Looking to buy your first home? Unless you have a couple hundred thousand in the bank, a rich family member or a winning lottery ticket, you’re going to have to borrow money. TV ads suggest it’s as easy as clicking your phone, and in some cases it might be, but you should know...