Articles by Craig Berry - Page 8

Buying new construction from a builder or developer offers advantages and drawbacks -- both financial and personal. Learn the pros and cons before yooou buy a home.

Closing costs are estimated to be about 3% of your home price. Know these six ways homeowners and home buyers are reducing their costs.

The Millennial homebuyer faces challenges, including post-Recession fear. Overcome these challenges, become a homeowner, and start building wealth.

Home buyers should consider shopping for a home during the holidays. Sellers are willing to negotiate, and lenders are less busy, too. How to find deals when most buyers are on the sidelines.

Credit, not cash, is king when getting a mortgage. But if your spouse terrible credit, can you still buy or refinance? Actually, yes.

Home values are heating up, giving FHA homeowners across the country enough equity to cancel their FHA mortgage insurance forever.

More than half of all FHA home buyers have a credit score below 680; many have scores lower than that. Check your FHA eligibility, despite your score.

For today's consumers, it's easy to move from "casually looking" to "actively buying". Before you do, though, you'll want to handle these 5 things first.

Homeowners often avoid a refinance because they can't recoup closing costs fast enough. A no-closing-cost loan allows them to start saving now.

Escrowing your taxes and insurance reduces your lender's risk, and can earn you a lower, better mortgage rate quote. Escrows can also simplify your life.

Make a smarter home purchase this year. Tips and tricks for today's active home buyers. Read more and get today's live mortgage rates.

Mortgage rates are low, and more homeowners are asking, "Should I refinance?" Four ways to answer that question.

Should you rent a home, or buy one? With mortgage rates low, the argument to "buy" is strong. But what are the risks? Read more, and get today's rates.

Using the Fannie Mae HomeStyle® Renovation loan to finance home improvements can be cheaper and more efficient than the FHA 203k rehab loan. Read more.

A mortgage denial shouldn't be the end of your home buying or refinance aspirations. Sometimes a simple and obvious fix gets you approved.

FHA streamline rates are dropping and can now be had in the low 3s. Homeowners are capturing lower payments at record levels.

How to refinance your mortgage, and why you don't get to "skip" a payment as part of the process. Review loan options and get a complimentary rate quote.

Lenders will start accepting a new credit scoring method that could result in higher consumer scores and more mortgage approvals.

As a homeowner with a mortgage, you have responsibilities. You also get some tax breaks. Read about Homestead Exemption and how it can help you.

When you're shopping for a mortgage, which is more important -- getting a great mortgage rate or paying fewer mortgage fees? An analysis for rate shoppers.